Take control.
Flip the script.
In your own words, your own story.
September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month!
Our theme this year invites those touched by hydrocephalus to share their stories in their own words. "Take Control. Flip the Script." is a declaration of resilience. It's about owning your narrative, sharing your journey authentically, and defying the limitations imposed by the condition.
Hydrocephalus affects everyone differently. It’s time for our community to take control of the narrative and break through the myths that surround the condition. HA will be right behind you, sharing valuable information and resources to highlight some of the ways in which this invisible condition impacts our daily lives and provide our community with support and answers.
One way you can help pave the way for a more empowering and inclusive outlook on this condition is to share on your social media channels about how you, whether as a patient or caregiver, have transformed challenges into opportunities. Through amplifying our diverse voices, challenging stereotypes, and fostering understanding, you are helping reshape the narrative surrounding hydrocephalus.
CLICK HERE to read a letter from our President and CEO, Diana Gray.
SEPTEMBER 20 IS WORLD HYDROCEPHALUS DAY!
On September 20, 2023, the world will come together to observe the inaugural World Hydrocephalus Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about hydrocephalus and showing support for individuals living with this complex neurological condition.
HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH
BY THE WEEK
Take a look at the topics we will be covering each week!
- Understanding Hydrocephalus: Start with our main page "What is Hydrocephalus," or navigate specific pages based on diagnosis timing—Hydrocephalus in Pregnancy, Infants and Children, Adults, and even Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
- Learning about Types and Causes: Gain knowledge about the various types and causes of hydrocephalus, enhancing your understanding of this condition, including Acquired, Congenital, Communicating or Non-Communicating hydrocephalus.
- Exploring Treatment Methods: Dive into our articles about Shunt Systems, ETV and ETV CPC. Discover surgery preparation guidance through our articles What to Expect with Hydrocephalus Shunt Surgery and What to Expect with ETV Surgery.
- Managing Complications: Gain insights into addressing Complications of Shunt Systems and ETV complications.
As your child grows, our resources grow with you – explore our top offerings below.
- Download HydroAssist®: Manage your child’s treatments, track symptoms, securely store scans, and more. Download today!
- HA CONNECT: Virtual Conference: Network with peers and leading experts, while your child enjoys Kids Camp. Join us November 3-5th.
- PenPal Program: Connect kids 7-12 for shared understanding. Sign your child up today.
- Free Downloadable Toolkits: Access Medical Summaries, Teachers’ Guides, and a Toolkit for Transitioning Medical Care.
- Top Articles: Sending Your Child to Daycare, Health Challenges and School, School Resources, Traveling with Hydrocephalus, Your Healthcare Team, Questions for Your Doctor.
- Online Support Groups: Meet parents in our online communities. Learn more.
- I Can Relate Video Series: Real-talk videos by peers addressing your top questions. Watch here.
- Teen Hang-Out: Connect with peers, play games, chat, and make new friends in a supportive space. Join us every first Sunday of the month.
- HA CONNECT: Virtual Conference: Create lifelong friendships and learn from experts. Join us November 3-5th.
- HydroAssist® App: Manage treatment, symptoms, scans, teamwork with parents. Download here.
- Countless Articles: Explore resources covering College, Driving, Coping with Hospital Stays, Transitioning to Adult Care, and Independence.
- Free Downloadable Toolkits: Medical Summary and Transitioning Care Toolkit resources at your fingertips.
- Scholarship Program: Pursue academic dreams – post-high school support available. Learn more.
- HydroAssist®: Manage your treatment, track symptoms, store scans, and invite loved ones to view or manage your account. Download here.
- HA CONNECT: Virtual Conference: Network with fellow adults and gain insights from experts. Join us November 3-5th.
- Ask the Expert: Video Series: Benefit from our Ask the Expert Video Series for valuable insights from medical professionals. Watch now.
- Top Articles: Dive into topics on Headaches, Chronic Pain, Workplace Disclosure, Coping with Hospital Stays, and Healthy Living.
- Free Medical Summary: Fill out your medical history, and keep a printed copy handy always. Download here.
- Online Support Groups: Connect with adults in virtual meetings for diverse age groups including, 20s, 30s, women 40+, and men breaking barriers. Learn more.
- HydroAssist®: Simplify your NPH management. Track treatment, record symptoms, securely store scans, and involve loved ones. Download here.
- HA CONNECT: Virtual Conference: Join us online on November 3-5 for NPH expertise and peer connections. Register today.
- Webinars: Stay updated on NPH with our upcoming Webinar on September 7th and access recorded sessions. Register and learn more.
- Online Support Groups: Connect in our online communities and virtual meetings with fellow individuals impacted by NPH. Learn more.
- Ask the Expert: NPH Video Series: Gain in-depth insights on NPH from leading medical professionals in our video series. Watch now.
- Top Articles: Delve into subjects NPH and Other Conditions, Recovery and Function, Rehabilitation Services, Surgery Tips, Questions for your Doctor, and Healthy Living.
- Hydrocephalus Stories: Explore firsthand NPH experiences and unique perspectives in our library of personal stories. Read stories here.
- HydrocephalusCONNECT: Access hope and reliable NPH information from trained Peer Support volunteers via phone or email. Learn more.
Fueling Research Breakthroughs: Give a gift to support our research efforts through our Under Pressure Campaign. Explore our funded projects and become a catalyst for transformative discoveries. Our mission relies on your partnership. Donate now.
- Virtual Conference: Immerse yourself in our upcoming Virtual Conference from November 3-5, where there's something for everyone, regardless of age. Learn from experts and connect with peers. Space is limited! Register today
- National Conference: Mark your calendar for our in-person Conference in Tampa, FL, on July 25-27, 2024. Save the date for this enriching event. Learn more and sign up for updates.
HELPLINE
The Hydrocephalus Association offers a toll-free helpline (888-598-3789) and email support (info@hydroassoc.org to provide assistance when you need it most. We're here to answer your questions, refer you to educational resources, and connect you with support programs tailored to your needs. Reach out for guidance, resources, and answers to your questions.
Ways You Can Help Us:
Use Our Social Media Toolkit
1 - Download by right-clicking an image below to save it onto your desktop/phone.
2 - Log on to your favorite social media site, such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
3 - Upload and post the image into your status update including the #HAM23 hashtag
Social Media Posts
Facebook Cover
Instagram/Facebook Stories
Use our hydrocephalus facts and stats to educate your friends, family, and social followers. Together, we can build public awareness about this condition!
1. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that affects more than 1 million Americans.
2. Anyone, at any age, can develop hydrocephalus.
3. One out of every 770 babies will develop hydrocephalus, making it as common as Down’s syndrome and more common than spina bifida or brain tumors.
4. There is no way to prevent hydrocephalus and there is no cure. The only known treatment requires brain surgery.
5. Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children.
6. The most common surgical treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical placement of a medical device called a shunt, which has one of the highest failure rates of any medical device on the market.
7. An estimated 50% of shunts in the pediatric population fail within two years of placement and repeated neurosurgical operations are often required.
8. There are approximately 10,000 pediatric hospital admissions for shunt malfunctions each year.
9. Hydrocephalus and a shunt can mean a lifetime of multiple brain surgeries. Dozens of brain surgeries are common and 100 or more is not unheard of.
10. The core technology used to develop the shunt has not changed significantly since the 1950’s.
11. Over 36,000 shunt surgeries are performed each year (one every 15 minutes) and more than half of them represent emergencies.
12. Pediatric hydrocephalus alone accounts for more than 40,000 hospital admissions each year (400,000 hospital days.)
13. The hospital charges for hydrocephalus are over $2 billion per year.
14. Up to half (50%) of infants diagnosed with hydrocephalus will have a learning disability.
15. Since 2000, more than 370,000 U.S. service members have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), one cause of hydrocephalus. It is estimated that 14% of those who suffered a severe TBI could develop hydrocephalus.
16. An estimated 800,000 older Americans are believed to have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), but often are misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or dementia. When correctly diagnosed and treated, the patient often can return to full functioning!
17. Accurately diagnosing adult hydrocephalus would save Medicare in excess of $184M over five years.
18. The Hydrocephalus Association provides free support and education to individuals, families, and medical professionals dealing with the complex issues of this condition.
19. Since 2009, HA has invested over $13.8 million in research, making it the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of hydrocephalus research in the U.S. Our grantees have gone on to secure over $71 million in additional funding to continue their research.
20. Thanks to HA’s Research Initiative, there are 12 drugs currently being tested that could have a major impact on people living with hydrocephalus.
Fundraise
Facebook makes it easy for you to raise money for HA and invite friends and family to help. 100% of the funds you raise will be delivered to us.
ADVOCATE
Write your Congressional Member to support legislation that is important to our hydrocephalus community.
RESEARCH
Researchers need input from patients in order to ask the right questions and develop treatments that will benefit our entire community.
DONATE
Your gift directly advances the mission of HA to find a cure for hydrocephalus and improve the lives of those impacted by the condition.
Upcoming Educational Events
Upcoming Local WALKs
Over 1 million people are living with hydrocephalus, a complex, life-threatening condition marked by excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. There is no way to prevent hydrocephalus and there is no cure. The only known treatment requires brain surgery.
Join us this September to raise awareness for hydrocephalus!