In Rachel’s mind, being diagnosed with Marfan syndrome never felt like it accurately represented her. She noted that she had physical features that differed from those of people living with Marfan syndrome. Rachel always felt like she was on the outside looking in.

“I want to raise awareness,” said Paige. “I just want people to know [about aortic dissection symptoms and risk related to LDS]. I want someone else to have the opportunity that Derrick didn’t.”

In an effort to prevent others from going through the loss of a loved one, Stephanie and Carlos are committed to doing everything possible to spread awareness.

For the first time ever we were surrounded by people who understood us.

By Tammy

I was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome in March of 2020 at 53 years old. My father died after his second open-heart surgery when he was just 32 years old.  Loeys-Dietz had not yet been identified in 1971, but the geneticist believes he suffered from the syndrome as well.

By Missy

I am one of the lucky ones... On November 19th, 2022, I was rushed to Renown Hospital in Reno, NV where I survived an emergent open repair to a ruptured 8.7 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. I had multiple blood transfusions and coded twice over a few hours. One minute I was working and the next I woke up days later in ICU. 

By Brenda

Our family discovered our LDS diagnoses in 2015, and while we have been focused on managing our care, we have not really had the opportunity to connect with other members of the LDS community. The stars aligned for us to attend Camp Victory together this October. 

I believe that my story is the perfect example of the power of awareness and education. Without those two things, a medical breakthrough, no matter how extraordinary, is rendered useless. My life, my daughter's, and future generations of my family will be followed by cardiologists, ensuring that aortic dissections do not suddenly and unknowingly take us away from our loved ones.

Growing up I assumed I was “normal.” I assumed my entire family was “normal.” For 36 years, I was not aware of Loeys-Dietz syndrome or that I was at risk from this genetic condition. In my school years, I suffered with severe allergies, asthma, and was diagnosed with a deviated septum after a spate of headaches at middle school.
Born in Telford in 1975, in Shropshire, England, I was the middle of three children.