281-543-5251 | Contact Us Joe Niekro Foundation, 15922 Eldorado Pkwy Ste 500 PMB6032 Frisco, TX 75035
Donate

Knuckling Up for Brain Aneurysms, AVMs & Hemorrhagic Strokes
  • Give
    • Apparel
    • Other Ways to Give
    • GIVING
    • Gifts in Honor
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Medical Advisory Board
    • Our Mission
    • Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Education
    • Understanding
      • Brain Basics
      • What is an Aneurysm?
      • What is an AVM?
      • What is a Hemorrhagic Stroke?
      • Types of Cerebral Aneurysms
      • Factors of a Brain Aneurysm
      • Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm
      • Dangers of a Brain Aneurysm
      • How Does a Brain Aneurysm Develop?
      • What Happens When an Aneurysm Bleeds?
      • How is a Brain Aneurysm Diagnosed?
    • Treatment
      • Unruptured Aneurysm
      • Ruptured Aneurysm
      • Clipping
      • Occlusion and Bypass
      • Endovascular Embolization / Coiling
      • Flow Diversion
      • Onyx Liquid Embolic System
      • Gamma Knife
      • Questions to Ask Your Doctor
      • Should I Get a Second Opinion?
      • Treating Physicians
  • Support
    • Support Groups
      • Support Group Locations
    • Recovery
      • Denial
      • Anger and Frustration
      • Depression
      • Bargaining
      • Acceptance
      • Post Recovery Issues
    • Caregivers
      • What a Caregiver Needs to Know
      • Recharging and Finding Balance
      • Looking After Yourself
    • What to Expect
  • Connect
    • Social Media
      • Facebook
        • Patients Online Support Group
        • Caregivers Online Support Group
        • Young Adult Online Survivor’s Support Group
        • Parents Online Support Group
        • Honoring the Taken Online Support Group
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • Pinterest
      • LinkedIn
      • Google+
    • Stories
      • Survivors Around the Globe
      • The Caregiver’s Side
      • Honoring the Taken
      • Submit Your Story
    • Webinars
    • Blog
    • Knuckle Up Newsletter
  • Events
    • Virtual 5k Walk.Run.Row.Cycle
    • Houston Knuckle Ball – 2022
  • Grants
    • Joe Niekro Research Grant
      • Letter of Intent
      • Grant Application
      • Grant Recipients
    • Joe Niekro/SNIS Research Grant
    • Joe Niekro Patient’s Choice Award
    • Joe Niekro Crystal Bat Award
Home > About Us > Founder
  • Our Mission
  • Why We Exist
  • Board of Directors
  • Medical Advisory Board
  • Founder
  • Contact Us
  • Staff

Founder

Natalie Niekro

Natalie NiekroNatalie Niekro, the daughter of Joe, is the founder of The Joe Niekro Foundation™. Her passion for the cause began when she unexpectedly lost her father to a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2006. It was then that she knew she had to do something to bring awareness to this devastating condition and help the patients and families who are struggling just as she was. An independent successful entrepreneur of two companies, Natalie made the decision to start another venture…one that would soon change her life forever. This was the beginning to the greatest endeavor of her life. Whether you are a patient, family member, friend or caregiver, WE ARE ALL SURVIVORS and that is the attitude Natalie lives by each and every day!

Keeping her father’s legacy alive is part of the magic that makes this foundation not only successful, but undeniably unique. With a nationwide support network of nearly 30,000 survivors, families and caregivers, and alignments with some of the greatest doctors and hospitals in the country, The Joe Niekro Foundation is leading the way for groundbreaking discoveries in neurological research, while providing a safe haven for patients and their families in their recovery.

Natalie’s passion for patients is evident in her everyday life and career path. Not only is she the spokesperson for the foundation, but is also the Director of Patient Focused Programs for Penumbra, Inc. a global healthcare company focused on interventional therapies. Penumbra designs, develops, manufactures and markets devices that address challenging medical conditions and significant clinical needs across two major markets, neuro and peripheral vascular. Her emphasis in the neurological arena has given her the platform to be the voice for patients and families across the globe.

In 2017, Natalie became a survivor herself when she was diagnosed with two brain aneurysms. Now walking the difficult road as a patient, Natalie knows first hand the importance of a strong support network and is eternally grateful for the community that has rallied her during this process.

Natalie is an advertising and psychology double major graduate of Florida Southern College. She and her eight year old son, Canyon, reside in Scottsdale, AZ

Read more about Natalie’s story.

Common Questions

  • What is a brain aneurysm?
  • What is an AVM?
  • What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
  • What are the risk factors of a brain aneurysm?
  • What are the symptoms of a brain aneurysm?
  • What are the dangers of a brain aneurysm?
  • How does a brain aneurysm develop?
  • How is a brain aneurysm diagnosed?

Upcoming Events

  • Knuckle Ball 2022

News Room

  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Knuckle Up Newsletter

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe to our Knuckle-Up Newsletter
  • Become a Fan on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Join our Online Aneurysm/AVM Support Group
  • Join our Online Parents Support Group
  • Join our Online Young Adult Survivor’s Support Group
  • Join our Online Aneurysm/AVM Caregivers Support Group
  • Join our Online Honoring the Taken Support Group
  • Support Group Locations
  • Contact Us
  • References
  • Privacy Policy
© 2022 Joe Niekro Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
  • Donate

    Every donation matters - every dollar counts. The Joe Niekro Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) which means your donations are 100% tax deductible. Your donations are used to enhance the research and treatment of brain aneurysms, AVM and hemorrhagic strokes, while supporting patients and families through the recovery process.

    Donate Now!
  • Newsletter Sign Up

    The best way to keep up to date on all the JNF happenings. Sign up today for our Knuckle Up Newsletter!