Hemispherectomy Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Hemispherectomy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 founded to provide a support structure for children, and the families of children who have had or are preparing to have hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy is a very rare surgical procedure where one cerebral hemisphere is removed or disabled. This procedure is used to treat a variety of seizure disorders where the source of the epilepsy is localized to a broad area of a single hemisphere of the brain...

 brain surgery. The foundation also provides scholarships for college, trade schools, and summer camps, as well as financial assistance and other support as needed. It is based in Aledo, Texas
Aledo, Texas
Aledo is a city in Parker County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,726 at the 2000 census.The city is served by the Aledo Independent School District.-Geography:...

.

History

The Hemispherectomy Foundation was founded in 2008, when a six-year-old girl, Jessie Hall, was hospitalized with Rasmussen's Encephalitis
Rasmussen's encephalitis
Rasmussen's encephalitis, also known as chronic focal encephalitis , is a rare inflammatory neurological disorder, characterized by frequent and severe seizures, loss of motor skills and speech, hemiparesis , encephalitis , and dementia...

 at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...

. Jessie was undergoing hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy
Hemispherectomy is a very rare surgical procedure where one cerebral hemisphere is removed or disabled. This procedure is used to treat a variety of seizure disorders where the source of the epilepsy is localized to a broad area of a single hemisphere of the brain...

 surgery (removal or disconnection of one-half of the brain) to control continuous seizures.


Although The Hemispherectomy Foundation is based in the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, it provides support globally.

Ben Carson, M.D.
Ben Carson
Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr., M.D., is an American neurosurgeon and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States by President George W...

, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...

 in Baltimore, Maryland is the Honorary Chair of the foundation's Medical Advisory Board. He assumed this position in January, 2009.
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