IMPROVING LIVES
Hydrocephalus Next Steps Program and My Hydro Bear Launch
In 2025, we launched the Hydrocephalus Next Steps Program, an exclusive collaboration with eight hospitals to support families of who are newly diagnosed or may not yet be connected to the Hydrocephalus Association. Through this program, families receive the Hydrocephalus Next Steps Kit, a thoughtfully assembled box designed to provide comfort, guidance, and connection during an overwhelming time.
Each kit includes essential resources along with My Hydro Bear, a soft, cuddly companion with a shunt that helps children feel seen, understood, and less alone. The bear offers comfort during medical visits and everyday moments while encouraging children to express their feelings and better understand their condition.
Following the program launch, My Hydro Bear was officially released on November 10, 2025, making it available for all families to purchase and access this meaningful source of comfort and support.
"Opal LOVES her bear. She named him Noah and she sleeps with him every night. He also goes everywhere with us. 
She has taken her bear to numerous doctor appointments and "taught" them about her bear's shunt.”
— MaireJo, Opal's Mom
"Aiden loves his Hydro Bear who he named Kevin and couldn't be happier. It was a special educational moment explaining his shunts—he even connected it to his scars. It was a really sweet moment."
— Adrianna, Aiden's Mom
2025 Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship Recipients
Established in 1994, the Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship Program was created to provide financial assistance to capable and promising young adults navigating the ongoing challenges and complexities of hydrocephalus. This year, we were proud to award 13 scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000, helping students pursue their educational goals and invest in their futures. Since the program’s inception, HA has awarded 279 scholarships to future leaders of our community.
These remarkable young adults are scholars, volunteers, advocates, and leaders. They exemplify resilience, determination, and hope, proving that hydrocephalus is no barrier to achieving one’s dreams. We are honored to support their journeys and celebrate their accomplishments as they continue to inspire others and shape a brighter future.
“Hydrocephalus has given me a unique perspective and has shaped my approach to both personal and professional relationships, emphasizing the importance of empathy, patience, and perseverance.” — Cassandra Troy
A Legacy That Will Support Future Scholars
This year, we were honored to introduce the Logan Aamot Scholarship Fund, established by Kate Sigrist in loving memory of her son, Logan George Aamot. Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at age five, Logan faced significant medical challenges throughout his life with remarkable courage, resilience, and determination.
Created to help students living with hydrocephalus pursue higher education, the fund reflects Logan's compassionate spirit and his family's commitment to helping others achieve their dreams. Through this scholarship, Logan's legacy will continue to inspire and support future generations of students, ensuring that his strength, kindness, and perseverance live on in the lives of those it helps.
Dana Fink
Recipient of Morris L. and Rebecca Ziskind Memorial Scholarship
Matthew Jewell
Recipient of the Jacobsen Family Scholarship
Shea Moran
Recipient of the Mario J. Tocco Memorial Scholarship
Michael “Steele” Funches
Recipient of the Gerard Swartz Fudge Memorial Scholarship
Brea McGinnis
Recipient of the Justin Scot Alston Memorial Scholarship
Avery Sycko
Recipient of the Anthony Abbene Scholarship
Lucy Bremberg
Recipient of the Hydrocephalus Association Fund Scholarship Supported by Erik & Lisa Chamberlainrsing.
Marissa Rouse
Recipient of the Morris L. and Rebecca Ziskind Memorial Scholarships
Cassandra Troy
Recipient of the Kate Finlayson Memorial Scholarship
Adelaide O’Neal
Recipient of the Baldus Family Scholarship in Memory of Gerard Swartz Fudge
Hope Hancock
Recipient of the Anthony Abbene Scholarship
Kassandra Baker
Recipient of the Gerard Swartz Fudge Memorial Scholarship
Norah Williams
Recipient of the Logan Aamot Memorial Scholarship
Expanding Our Hydrocephalus Resource Library
In 2025, we significantly expanded our Hydrocephalus Resource Library to better support individuals and families at every stage of their journey. We published more than 50 new articles and 30 Share Your Story features, bringing real experiences and practical guidance to our community.
We also developed a comprehensive Hydrocephalus FAQ and a Shunt Malfunction FAQ, providing clear, accessible answers to some of the most common and urgent questions. Together, these efforts reflect our continued commitment to delivering timely, trusted, and easy-to-understand information.
Hydro Heroes Unite Podcast Launch
This year, the Hydrocephalus Association launched Hydro Heroes Unite, a new podcast created to support and connect families navigating pediatric hydrocephalus. Hosted by fellow Hydro Hero mom, Taisha Cameron, the podcast features honest conversations with parents alongside insights from medical professionals who understand the everyday realities of living with hydrocephalus.
Season One demonstrated strong early engagement and meaningful community impact. Episodes featuring personal family stories resonated strongly with listeners, reinforcing the importance of lived experiences, shared understanding, and peer connection within the hydrocephalus community. Social media promotion further expanded the podcast’s reach and helped introduce new audiences to HA’s educational resources and support programs.
RAISE: HA's Resilience Program
The HA RAISE Resilience Program was inspired by Dr. Brandon Rocque, a pediatric neurosurgeon who found that parents of children with hydrocephalus experience high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. The program is based on the proven fact that resilience is a skill that can be taught, built upon, and strengthened over time. The curriculum was designed by the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Program in collaboration with Dr. Rocque and Tessa van der Willigen. The first cohort was initiated in October 2025. Currently, we have begun the sixth cohort and are actively enrolling participants for two more cohorts. A total of 17 parents have completed the program.
“My anxiety started to reduce. My thoughts started to regulate themselves, plus starting to be more calm in my responses towards symptoms and emergencies. This means a lot to me, because her condition has deeply affected my daily life.”— Parent of 11 year old