7-Month-Old Aila Elmore From Gosport Selected as 2013
National “Face” of Hydrocephalus Awareness for Incurable Brain

Gosport, IN – When looking quickly at 7-month-old Aila Elmore, one would see a happy baby girl. When you look a little closer and see the scars and stitch marks on her head, a completely different story is being told.

Aila suffers from an incurable brain condition called Hydrocephalus, and the scars and stitch marks are the result of the brain surgery she has had to install the device in her brain, known as a shunt, that keeps her alive.

Occurring in approximately 1 of every 500 births and currently affecting over One Million Americans today, Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excessive fluid gathers in the brain, abnormally widening spaces in the brain and placing potentially harmful pressure on brain tissues. Because of lack of advancements in treatment, many affected individuals are left unable to lead full and productive lives.

Untreated, Hydrocephalus could be fatal.

Aila was selected as one of the two children to serve as this year’s “National Face of Hydrocephalus Awareness”, for the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, to help raise the level of awareness and education about Hydrocephalus in the United States. Aila, whose family live in Gosport will represent the girls, while 9-year-old Matthew Elicea of California, will be representing the boys.

Aila will be featured in advertisement campaigns & promotional materials for Hydrocephalus Awareness as we head towards the 5th Annual “National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month” in September.

The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization, educates the community by creating awareness about Hydrocephalus. PHF, with 30 state chapters, provides support to families, friends and children affected by this incurable brain condition.

PHF assists the medical community by raising funds to search for treatment options, and ultimately, a cure. PHF advocates on behalf of members while working with policy makers at State and Federal levels to push for more research and support in the fight against Hydrocephalus. Donations are tax-deductible.

Since 2010, PHF awarded $170,000 in grants and donations to Hospitals, Neuroscience Institutes and Medical Research Centers for research and education. For information, visit HydrocephalusKids.org.