There’s nothing that will bring Lacey Moore back to her mom, Michelle.
The teen-ager died from a brain aneurysm a month after her 19th birthday on Aug. 23, 2019.
During the past two years, Michelle has mourned her daughter’s passing by raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of brain aneurysms while also making sure that people know who Lacey was.
“Lacey was very outgoing and very loving,” Michelle said. “Doing all this helps me to keep her memory alive.”
Throughout her teen-age years, Lacey was in and out of doctors’ offices, missing school for weeks on end because her head hurt so bad. At the time, Michelle didn’t even think that a brain aneurysm could be the cause of the headaches, so she followed medical advice, giving her child the prescribed medicine.
Lacey’s passing brought to light a congenital cerebral aneurysm, which her grandmother and 12-year old cousin also have.
Michelle said with early detection, like in the case of her niece, doctors can monitor the aneurysm for growth or blood surrounding and prescribe medicine or even “coil” the mass.
In Lacey’s case, it was too late.
But Michelle believes that through community outreach and education, other parents can advocate for their children in similar circumstances.
“That was my first experience with this whole trauma that we’ve been through,” she said.
“If I can get the word out about the headaches or the mood swings. She was your typical one that had aggression and anger; it does affect the part of the brain associated with decision-making.”
Michelle sees some of those same characteristics in her niece, who is being monitored twice a year.
Looking back, Michelle said that there are scans that could have been done that would have caught the aneurysm at a different stage. When it appears that answers are not available, Michelle encourages caretakers to continually advocate for their loved one until answers are found.
Today, Michelle holds onto the photos she has of her vibrant daughter. She watches videos of them dancing together and talks fondly about Lacey’s love for dogs.
Michelle said that she loved to be involved in the community, especially in areas where she could help with animals. And today, the mother hopes to carry on that legacy annually as she gives back.
For Lacey’s 20th birthday, the family held a Brain Aneurysm Awareness garage sale where they raised over $2,000 to donate for solutions to the condition that leads to almost 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Half of those deaths are in people under the age of 50.
They released purple balloons into the sky, knowing that Lacey would have enjoyed watching them sail away. Then they planted a tree in her memory to be a consistent meeting place each July as the family celebrates her life.
Part of the 2021 celebration is a collection of school supplies for Mahomet-Seymour students in need.
After posting the idea on the Mahomet-Seymour Talk Facebook page, Michelle was overwhelmed with the response that included a local girl scout troop donating backpacks and writing a card, and sending flowers to her.
Mary Pettenger, of Winderson’s Creation, has also offered a table outside her shop in Sangamon on Main for school supplies to be dropped off until the end of July. Thanks to Sonic, Michelle also has tokens for food and drinks and bracelets to hand out to donors on Saturday, July 17.
She’s hopeful that by the time the first of August comes around, she will be able to host a luncheon for families who need the supplies, and bless students with something to get them started on the new school year.
To kick off Brain Aneurysm Awareness month in September, Michelle is partnering with Texas Roadhouse in Champaign, who will donate 10-percent of food purchases (with coupon) to Carle for brain aneurysm research.
Lacey’s family takes comfort in knowing that Lacey continues to make an impact in this world. They donated all of her viable organs, and 77 recipients’ quality of life has been bettered in the wake of their tragedy.
A 60-year old man received her lungs. He wrote to the family, telling them about his heartfelt sorrow for them and his newfound hope in watching his grandchildren grow.
Her heart was transplanted into a 10-year old boy. Michelle reports that he is doing well and is healthy.
The two families plan to meet when the time is right. At that time, Michelle hopes to get an echo of her heart in his body, a reminder that Lacey is very much alive.
