The Joe Niekro Foundation

The Joe Niekro Foundation™ (JNF) was established in 2008 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. The organization is the “brain child” of Natalie Niekro (daughter of Joe). Joe Niekro was a twenty-two year veteran of professional baseball who suddenly lost his life from a cerebral brain aneurysm in October 2006. The astonishing lack of public awareness and under-support of research led to the launch of a crusade to educate and encourage awareness about brain aneurysms and other cerebral disorders.

The Joe Niekro Foundation™ is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of Brain Aneurysms, AVMs and Hemorrhagic Strokes. We provide education on the risk factors, causes and treatments of these conditions, while funding the advancement of neurological research.

The following staggering statistics validate the critical need for support, awareness and research funding:

• There are currently 6 million people in the US who have an unruptured brain aneurysm
• Every 18 minutes an aneurysm ruptures
• 50% of ruptured aneurysm patients will die instantly
• Of the remaining 50%, half will suffer a delayed death and remaining survivors will likely suffer severe brain deficits
• Brain aneurysms are most prevalent between the ages 35-60, but occur in 3 out of 10 children as well.
• Women, more than men, are documented to suffer from brain aneurysms at a ratio of 3:2.
• As many as 1 in 15 people will develop a brain aneurysm or AVM
• The average age of an AVM rupture is 17 years old
• More than 50% of people with an AVM will have an intracranical hemorrhage
• Hemorrhagic Strokes account for 15% of all strokes (approximately 120,000 each year)
• Hemorrhagic Strokes are responsible for more than 30% of all stroke deaths