A new scholarship for research into brain aneurysms in the University of Limerick has been launched today by Rozanna Purcell, Irish rugby legend David Wallace and a group of Rose of Tralee participants and their escorts in memory of the 2010 Texas Rose, Adrienne Hussey. Adrienne, a social worker from Plano, Texas, died suddenly in January 2012 in Dublin, aged just 26, from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm that doctors believe may have been congenital.

Cerebral aneurysms (CA) are localised swellings of arteries in the brain resulting from an acquired, or less frequently, a congenital weakness in the arterial wall. Several theories have been suggested as to the cause and formation of aneurysms, but there is no conclusive evidence as to how they are caused. Beaumont Hospital treats 200 aneurysms every year. While many individuals may be unaware of the presence of an aneurysm, when they rupture it can cause catastrophic damage. 12% of patients die before receiving medical treatment while a further 40% may die within one month of the rupture if left untreated.

The Rose of Tralee group, ‘Friends of A’, approached Professor Tim McGloughlin, Head of the Department of Mechanical Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Limerick to set up the research scholarship in 2012. It will be partly funded by the University of Limerick with the remaining funds coming from private donations raised through fundraising by ‘Friends of A’ and the University of Limerick Foundation.

Speaking at the launch, Professor McGloughlin said, “Aneurysm research is an area of particular interest to the CABER team at UL. There is much to be learnt in how we diagnose and treat the condition and with this additional resource we hope to explore the possibilities of new and innovative approaches both diagnosis and treatment”
 “I was delighted to assist the Friends of A team when they approached us with this project and hope that we will continue to work together for many years to come.”
The research will be guided by Professor Tim McGloughlin, Dr Michael Walsh, Joint Director, Centre for Applied Biomedical Engineering Research (CABER) University of Limerick, and Dr Alan O’Hare, Consultant Radiologist at Beaumont Hospital Dublin, a leading expert in cranial aneurysm diagnostics and treatment.

Sarah Hartnett, Funding Development Manager, University of Limerick Foundation said, “I am very impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm shown by Adrienne's many friends in establishing the Adrienne Hussey Scholarship at UL in honour of her memory. The UL Foundation is delighted to play our role in supporting this initiative".
Adrienne Elizabeth Hussey represented Texas at the 2010 International Rose of Tralee Festival and immediately fell in love with Ireland and its people, which proved to be the catalyst for her eventual move to Dublin in 2011.

Speaking about the scholarship Niamh Sherlock, 2010 Dublin Rose of Tralee said: “Adrienne’s sudden death had a powerful effect on our 2010 group with international Roses flying from all across the world to be present for her funeral here in Ireland.
“In the days following her death we pledged that she would not be forgotten and her name would continue to be associated with making a positive change. We have been working steadily on creating this scholarship and are very grateful to Professor McGloughlin, Dr Walsh, Dr O’Hare and Sarah Hartnett for affording us the chance to do this. This is a long-term project for us and with support of Adrienne’s family and friends in Texas we hope to make a real difference in her name”.

The group will be funding the research by holding a series of fundraisers around the country in the coming months. One event planned for August and to coincide with the 2013 Rose of Tralee festival will see members walking from Dublin to Tralee, arriving in Tralee for the festival. For more information on this and if you wish to donate please visit the University of Limerick Foundation website on http://www.ulfoundation.com/index.php or  the Facebook page www.facebook.com/friendsofa.