Peggie O’Neil-Mirabile was working at Dorchester’s Murphy School in 2011 when she was struck in the head by one of her students. The injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it inadvertently led to the discovery of two brain aneurysms at age 47.

“It’s like a silent killer,” said Mirabile, who said the condition is often hereditary. “The easiest way to describe an aneurysm is like a balloon. The balloon keeps blowing up until one side gets weak and then pops, and that’s what an aneurysm is. It’s weakness in a blood vessel.”

Mirabile is raising funds for the 16th annual Arterial Challenge at Fenway Park on Sun., April 9. This is her second time participating in the aneurysm awareness walk as part of Team Rockstar, which boasts 42 participants and has raised over $3,000 for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Mirabile is currently the top fundraiser for the team.

Her biggest goal is to raise awareness for aneurysm research and the best way to do that is through fundraising. She will be hosting a fundraising party at Twelve Ben’s, a local tavern near Fields Corner on Sunday after the walk at Fenway. There will be plenty of raffle prizes, catered food, and a DJ. Join her and her team members at Twelve Ben’s from 12:30-7 p.m. For further information on the BA Foundation and to donate to Peggie O’Neil-Mirabile, visit give.bafound.org.