Where Hope Lives
Inspiring stories of compassion, innovation, and transformation at Barrow Neurological Institute made possible by philanthropy.
Narratives of Help and Healing
Hear from the brave patients who have found hope and healing at Barrow while battling the most debilitating neurological conditions.
“I’m a warrior, and I refuse to lose.”
-Ann Rogers
Grateful patient, Ivy Brain Tumor Center
This experience has changed my perspective on life in ways I never expected. It’s changed the career path I want to pursue, and it’s made me want to share my story to give others hope. I don’t think I would feel this way without the amazing doctors who cared for me.
-Brielle May
Grateful patient, Neurocritical Care
Interning at the same institution that saved my life felt like a full-circle moment. It gave me such a sense of purpose knowing that I was researching solutions and contributing to treatments for future patients with the same condition that I had.
– Gia Patel
Barrow Summer Undergraduate Internship Participant and grateful patient, Barrow Aneurysm & AVM Center
I had the DBS surgery with Dr. Smith and it completely changed my life. I very rarely have seizures now and can spend time with my husband, play with my children, travel, and do all the things I love without fear or medication side effects.
-Sara Eeds
Grateful patient, Epilepsy Center
I remember asking Dr. Snyder why she liked being a spine surgeon, and she told me that she liked seeing people get their lives back. I can proudly say that I’ve done that to the fullest.
– Jim Weatherly
Grateful patient, Sonntag Spine Center
Thanks to Barrow, I’m still here, I’m still me, and I still have a lot to look forward to in life. I could not be more grateful for that opportunity.
– Terry Rice
Grateful patient, Petznick Stroke Center
Because of Barrow, and support from donors like you, I have my life back.
– Dave Allen
Grateful patient, Neuro Rehabilitation Center
I no longer put off planning for the future because I know I have a long, bright one ahead of me. I have Dr. Lawton and everyone at Barrow who cared for me to thank for that.
– Joey Jean Farmer
Grateful patient, Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Center
I have hope now. Not just for myself, but for my children, grandchildren, and everyone else who may one day receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
-Bill Daggett
Grateful patient
Courageous Hearts
Life-Changers
A stroke can occur at any time, in any place, and at any age. However, suffering a stroke doesn’t have to lead to permanent, life-altering disability if it is identified early and treated quickly. The Mobile Stroke Units bring expert stroke care directly to patients’ homes. In 2024, the units were dispatched 1,015 times, with an average door-to-drug administration time of 15.5 minutes. The team continues to work with the Phoenix Fire Department to provide education on the latest stroke-care guidelines.
Donor support is critical to providing patients fast treatment on the mobile stroke units. Give today at the link in our bio!
May is Stroke Awareness Month, and when it comes to stroke, time is of the utmost importance. Minutes, or even seconds, could be the difference between suffering from life-altering deficits and having a successful recovery. Terry Rice knows this all too well. Read how rapid, coordinated #stroke care saved him from what could have been a catastrophic event at the link in our bio.
"Nurses care for people at their darkest, scariest, and loneliest moments. It is our privilege.”- Virginia Prendergast, PhD, Director of Advanced Practice Nursing.
THANK YOU, Dr. Prendergast, for your commitment to advancing the field of neuroscience nursing here at Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Prendergast`s tenure at Barrow has spanned more than 30 years, beginning with her time as a nurse in the neurosurgical ICU. In 2004, she developed a formal educational program to support nurses preparing for the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) exam, and this program remains in place today!
Thank you for following along with us as we highlight a few of the remarkable neuroscience nurses here at Barrow. Share your gratitude for this incredible team by donating in their honor today at the link in our bio!
//Repost @barrowneuro// As we observe ALS Awareness Month, we’re sharing the story of the first patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to receive @Neuralink’s N1 implant.
Brad Smith underwent neurosurgery at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, becoming the third patient overall to receive the brain-computer interface as part of the PRIME study. The device allows Brad, who is unable to move his body or speak due to his diagnosis, to control a computer cursor by thinking about it.
The device is opening up new possibilities for Brad’s communication, independence, and quality time with his family.
Journalist @Ashlee.Vance has been following Brad’s journey and chronicled how Brad’s life has changed since beginning the clinical trial.
Read the story and watch the video produced by Core Memory at bar.rw/brad. Link in bio.
(Photo courtesy of Core Memory)
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center is dedicated to advancing brain tumor treatment through cutting-edge research and personalized patient care. As the world’s most extensive Phase 0 clinical trials program, we are pioneering a novel approach – accelerated, early-phase clinical trials that quickly identify drugs that work while rapidly eliminating those that do not. This research is only possible through collaboration with generous donors like you.
Find out how we are supporting brain cancer research, and how you can join us at the link in our bio!
"I absolutely love my job, my patients, my coworkers, and the entire Barrow team. I thrive in this environment caring for the patients and being a part of their journeys through some of their toughest moments and greatest triumphs." - Kimberly Reedy, stroke-certified RN at Barrow Neurological Institute in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit.
Thank you to our neuroscience nurses who show extraordinary compassion to every patient who enters the Institute`s doors. If a Barrow nurse has made a difference in your life, say thank you with a gift in their honor at the link in our bio!
//Repost @theivybraintumorcenter // 👇
A heartfelt thank you to the @Dbacks for an unforgettable evening at Chase Field in support of brain tumor awareness! Dr. Sanai, Director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, invited one of his patients, Jeremey, to throw out the first pitch—marking a powerful moment of hope for our community. We’re deeply grateful to the D-backs and the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope for their generous $200,000 donation to advance brain tumor research at the Ivy Center and to honor Nicole’s legacy with a memorial in our new building. Special thanks to GM Mike Hazen for establishing this fund and helping bring groundbreaking treatments to patients who need them most. Together, we’re making meaningful strides for those affected by brain tumors.❤️⚾
"Working as a neuromuscular nurse practitioner teaches me something new every day, but the greatest reward is being trusted to be alongside my resilient patients, their incredible caregivers, and the care team focused on improving quality of life. It`s a true honor to be part of their journey." - Jourdan Milliard, MSN, FNP-C, Nurse Practitioner at the Gregory W. Fulton ALS and Neuromuscular Disease Center.
We are thankful to the remarkable nurses like Jourdan who support patients and their families navigate the often frightening journey with a neurological disease diagnosis. You can say thank you to honor a Barrow nurse with a gift in their honor. Link in bio!
Happy Neuroscience Nurses Week!
🧠🩺 This is a very special week here at Barrow - Neuroscience Nurses Week! This week, follow along as we highlight just a few of our amazing #neurosciencenurses here at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Read more about the challenging yet rewarding role of a neuroscience nurse at the link in our bio!
Happy Mother`s Day! 💐 Today we honor the strength, resilience, and love of all mothers and mother figures!
Repost @theivybraintumorcenter 👇
Tonight’s Brain Tumor Awareness Night at Chase Field honors Nicole Hazen and supports the fight against brain cancer. The @dbacks and the Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope are supporting Dr. Sanai and the Ivy Brain Tumor Center as we work to bring new therapies to patients facing this aggressive disease. 🧠⚾
Read more on mlb.com by clicking the link in our bio!
How does fundraising on social media help patients at Barrow? Grateful patient Dave Allen suffered a massive stroke that caused severe damage to his brain. His recovery hasn’t been easy, but thanks to the team at Barrow, he can walk again, has improved his speech and cognition, bought a house, and learned to drive again.
Dave`s story is just one example of the many Barrow patients who have been impacted by your generosity. Learn how you can help by reading our guide to social media fundraising at the link in our bio! ⬆️
Share Your Story
Whether you’re a current of former patient, family member, staff member, or generous donor, we want to hear how Barrow has impacted your life. Your story will help inspire, education and provide hope to all.