Where Hope Lives
Inspiring stories of compassion, innovation, and transformation at Barrow Neurological Institute made possible by philanthropy.
Your Impact In Action
View real stories of how Barrow Neurological Foundation creates a lasting impact for patients and families.
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.
“It gave me hope knowing that they were willing to try anything and reached out to all their networks local and abroad to find a solution.”
-Kara May
Mother of grateful patient, Brielle May. Neurocritical Care
“My team at Barrow has never given up on me; I am better thanks to their care, and that means absolutely everything to me. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today. For that, I am incredibly grateful.”
-Alison Coombs
Grateful patient at the Lewis Headache Center
“The things my mom is doing for this trial have not only paid substantial dividends for her health but are also paving the way for someone else to have an easier journey. It feels good knowing that we are playing a part in the long-term fight against this disease, and we are grateful to Barrow for giving us this opportunity.”
– Ivan Jones, caretaker
Courageous Hearts
Life-Changers
Share Your Story
Every experience at Barrow is unique and powerful. Whether you’re a patient, family member, or donor, we invite you to share your story and inspire others on their journey.
Barrow President and CEO, Michael T. Lawton, MD, and Tomoki Hashimoto, MD, have co-authored a new research article revealing critical links between microplastics and neurologic health. Published in the Congress Quarterly, the newsmagazine of the Congress of Neurosurgical Surgeons, this research highlights the concerning presence of microplastics in our environment and its profound implications, including increased aneurysm rupture risk and worse stroke outcomes.
This work is now further supported by a research grant from the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. This success directly demonstrates the power of early-stage funding generated by donors like you, which allows our scientists to test novel ideas, generate preliminary data, and ultimately secure larger, highly competitive grants.
Read the full article here: https://bar.rw/4sbc7dU. Link in bio.
#TBT - We cannot believe that this was ONE year ago today! ⛳ On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, we raised an incredible $1 million through the inaugural golf tournament, The Barrow Open! This tournament was in support of a key initiative: to help athletes safely return to their game after a spine injury.
This initiative aims to establish a first-of-its-kind research lab, the Barrow Sports Biomechanics Spine Laboratory at @barrowneuro. Thanks to your support, Barrow experts are equipped to lead vital research into effective treatments and science-backed return-to-play guidelines, starting with the complex biomechanics of the golf swing. Read more about our progress: https://bar.rw/4sftmuN. Link in bio. ⬆️
The Barrow Open was graciously presented by @pxg with special support from @wedealinhope and took place at the iconic TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. We are incredibly grateful for their support!
Michael T. Lawton, MD, Barrow President and CEO, in collaboration with the Barrow Neuroscience Publications department, after five years of planning, have released the highly anticipated "Seven Cavernomas" textbook - AND it is currently No. 1 on Amazon`s Best Sellers list for neurosurgery textbooks! 👏
"Seven Cavernomas" is the fourth textbook in Dr. Lawton`s "Seven Series" - providing anatomical & surgical insights from a world-renowned vascular neurosurgeon. This latest edition is almost all artwork, created by the certified medical illustrators in the Neuroscience Publications Department at Barrow. Generous support through the Robert F. Spetzler Endowed Chair for Neuroscience enabled the team to finalize the textbook manuscript and art for publication. Please join us in congratulation Dr. Lawton and the Barrow team for this outstanding accomplishment!
What a great event! 👏 This past Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals Foundation hosted the inaugural Cardinals Climb, a community fundraiser organized to support Arizona`s special needs community. The climb raised an incredible $2 million+ through over 8,000 donors and 3,500 participants. A huge thank you to the Arizona Cardinals Foundation and our Barrow community for supporting this important cause!
Today, 6.5 million Americans live with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs). A portion of funding from the Arizona Cardinals Foundation`s will provide Barrow Neurological Institute the resources to create a comprehensive neurological care platform, improving lifelong health outcomes for individuals with IDDs aged 16 and older.
Although the Climb is over, you still have time to make an impact! The fundraising window extends through March 10th. To contribute, please visit https://bar.rw/40pR2R9. Link in bio.
The inaugural Cardinals Climb fundraising event is tomorrow, February 21st, 2026 at State Farm Stadium! ✨ This marquee event is more than a fundraiser - it`s a movement to champion inclusion, elevate care, and create lasting change in the community to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A portion of the proceeds benefits Barrow. Register TODAY! ➡️ https://bar.rw/4tK3BnW
With Barrow, there is hope. 💙 Read Sarah`s full story here: https://bar.rw/4qF8prV
If you have a Barrow story of your own you would like to share, visit us online: https://bar.rw/4kRh6yg
Did you know....last year, your support advanced initiatives within the Sonntag Spine Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, facilitating over 70 abstract presentations at scientific conferences, 13 active Spine Biomechanics Lab projects, and 6 active VR Lab spine projects! These efforts continually push the boundaries of science and medicine, dedicated to enabling patients to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life after surgery. Read more about your impact: https://bar.rw/4kEa3Zr. Link in bio!
#ICYMI - Make sure you read Nicholas` inspirational comeback story! Link in bio.
// Repost @barrowneuro // From pain to the fairway, Nicholas` endoscopic spine surgery success story embodies the comeback spirit we love to see at the WM Phoenix Open.
Read the story here: https://bar.rw/nicholas
#ClimbWithUs - The Cardinals Climb Hike for Special Needs is NEXT SATURDAY! There`s still time to sign up! Join our team and make a difference: https://bar.rw/4rW7wMV
*Adult participants are responsible for raising the fundraising minimum of $250, on or before February 14, 2026. If participants raise less than the minimum, their credit card will be charged the difference between the minimum and the amount raised.
We`re still buzzing with excitement and gratitude from The Mayors` International 2025 Gala this past fall, where we received the Global Leadership Award! It was a fantastic evening celebrating our shared commitment to advancing neurological health globally.
Barrow President & CEO, Michael T. Lawton, MD, and Foundation Board Chair, Mitch Sayare, PhD, accepted the award, emphasizing that "this recognition belongs to our entire Barrow community – our donors, our staff, and our global partners." A huge THANK YOU again to Phoenix Sister Cities and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego for this recognition, Michele S. Gregory, MS, Dr. Lawton, and Dr. Sayare for your leadership, and to our generous donor community! We would also like to recognize the Najafi families who were honored for their global impact at this event. Thank you for your support!
Incredible work at Barrow Neurological Institute! 🔬 We`re thrilled to see Chia-Ling Phuah, MD, MMSc, Co-Director of the Barrow Neuro Analytics Center and Neurology Vice Chair of Research, featured in a new Healio article. Her findings powerfully remind us of the critical link between #brain and #vascularhealth. Her study was also selected for oral presentation at the upcoming International Stroke Conference (ISC 2026) in New Orleans! Read more at the link in our bio. ⬆️
https://bar.rw/4r9fLVF
Thanks to donor support, Dr. Phuah`s team is using advanced analytics on vast #neuroimaging and genetic data to uncover patterns in brain white matter linked to #neurological diseases. This research has huge implications for transforming neurological care and community health! Learn more about your impact at the link in our bio!
👏 The Lewis Headache Center at Barrow Neurological Institute recently welcomed Elizabeth Cipparrone, DO, as its new fellow! Dr. Cipparrone, a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University and Northwell Health, is passionate about advancing headache medicine, and is already diving into important research, presenting a case study on "Seasonal Transition Between Chronic and Episodic Migraine" at the annual meeting for Headache Cooperative of the Pacific Winter Conference. Congratulations, Dr. Cipparrone!
Discover how the Barrow Neurological Foundation supports world-class specialists like Dr. Cipparrone and their vital research at the link in our bio! https://bar.rw/4r4dX08
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.