The sudden onset of headaches intense and specific to one side concerned Jackie Robertson.
Tests revealed an unruptured brain aneurysm. A craniotomy, which she says ended up taking more than 10 hours, addressed the issue.
"I was so lucky that they found it and were able to do that," says Robertson, 39. "I felt so grateful and in awe of the people that worked with me at Foothills Medical Centre, what they've dedicated their lives to and what they do.
"I wanted people to recognize them, to know their names, to know their work. I wanted to give back so badly."
So, on Sept. 21, 2024 10 months after her surgery Robertson hosted a fundraiser at her home in Canmore. In attendance at the Backyard Benefit for Brains were 80 people, including one of her neurosurgeons, Dr. Garnette Roy Sutherland, MD, who, while not initially part of her surgical team, scrubbed in at a moment's notice when a complication arose during the operation.
Dr. Garnette Sutherland participates in community events across Canada, including hosting groups and individuals at his robotic-technology research facility Project neuroArm. Photo Courtesy of Project neuroArm Medical Robotics Program
Robertson's goal for the event which included a silent auction for donated items such as hotel stays, family ski passes, NHL tickets, art and pottery was to raise $5,000 for aneurysm research at the University of Calgary. The final tally was more than four times that, surpassing $22,000.
"I think it's wonderful," says Sutherland, who is also a professor at UCalgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). Although not involved in the research for which Robertson was fundraising, Sutherland who is also a health technology innovator, also supported by philanthropy spoke at the event and networked with guests. "You don't normally get a person who's going to set up a backyard event. It was quite special witnessing what Jackie meant to her beautiful community, and vice versa."
Funds to advance new aneurysm treatments
Funds from that evening went to support Dr. Alim Mitha, PGME'09, MD, and his team at UCalgary. Appreciative, he sent a note to Robertson letting her know exactly how the gift was going to be used: tissue engineering for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
"This donation is extremely impactful to our lab," says Mitha, associate professor at CSM. "There's not a lot of funding out there for new ideas. Getting funding from a generous donor like Jackie, we can actually use it to do pilot experiments and really come up with novel possible treatments."
A French teacher working in Banff, Robertson spent six months organizing the event, not knowing how it would be received. Its success brought her a sense of relief.
"It was great," she says. "I felt very supported by our community. I was thankful for the amount we raised. It's very gratifying to be able to contribute to that cause."
In addition to raising funds, it was important to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and research.
"I wanted recognition to go to the amazing resources and institutions we have here in Alberta what people at UCalgary and Foothills dedicate their lives to," says Robertson. "The technologies that are being developed and the innovation going towards brain surgery is just mind-blowing and will provide patient safety and better outcomes."
Dr. Alim Mitha, PGME'09, MD, will put the donation towards tissue engineering for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Photo Courtesy of Alim Mitha
Mitha agrees that getting the word out is critical, stressing three to five per cent of the population will be affected by brain aneurysms; as many as one in 20 people. "That's a huge number," he says. "It is certainly an area that has not been often publicized."
'Helping create community an honour'
Concern goes beyond research and awareness. When she was faced with what she calls the "grievance of dealing with a brain aneurysm," Robertson discovered she had nobody to relate to. "There was no community." So, she is open to sharing her own experience.
Recently, via FaceTime, Robertson had a conversation with a patient scheduled for surgery. "That I was here and OK gave her a sense of calmness, even though her journey was going to be different," she says. "If I can do that for others, it would be an honour and a privilege."
Mitha applauds Robertson's initiative and foresight how her support helps future generations of patients, and how Backyard Benefit for Brains is such an inspiration.
"That was a phenomenal idea," he says. "I know how hard it can be to take on the fundraising yourself. It comes with the requirement of being very passionate. It comes often with personal experience, which Jackie has. It comes with organizational skills and social skills. She had to pull all these things together for this to happen.
"It takes a very special person to be able to do it successfully. We're so thankful that Jackie put in all that thought and effort, all that kindness and heart, so other patients can benefit."
With every intention of staying involved in philanthropy, Robertson realizes there is much more work to do.
"It opened up a world to me how many causes need help," she says. "Causes that you just don't know about until yourself or someone you know goes through something traumatic."
Just as a single spark can ignite a roaring flame, philanthropy is the catalyst that starts something special at the University of Calgary. Explore more stories about the difference we're making in the community and around the world with the support of donors like you.
