Our premier brain aneurysm awareness event, the KAT-Walk & Karo-5k is held each September in Portland, Maine. What began as a singular event in 2009 to honor the life of Kimberly Tudor, now includes the Karo-5k in commemoration of Karolina Kurka. Two families struck by tragedy were brought together by the strong desire to honor and remember the lives of their loved ones.

This annual event has now grown to include many more families affected by brain aneurysms throughout Maine and New England, as we use the day to honor survivors and remember loved ones lost to this silent killer that strikes every 18 minutes.

We are proud of the fact that people have returned year after year, continue to lend their support, and use our events as a way of healing or celebrating someone who has survived.

Over it’s 17 year history, more than 7,300 people have participated and over $290,000 has been raised to provide brain aneurysm awareness, education, funding of research, and general support centered on the Brain Aneurysm community in Maine and northern New England. 

This annual walk/run also gives us the occasion to present our Research Grants and Scholarship Awards and gives the Brain Aneurysm community the opportunity to “Share our tears, remember with love, and walk & run to honor”.