Happy holidays and warmest wishes from the Board and staff of GADA
As we wrap up the year, with Christmas and the New Year right around the corner, we take a moment to look back on 2021 with pride for all that we achieved towards our mission and gratitude for the support from our members and volunteers.
This year, GADA received its largest grant fund from the Temerty Foundation to support a five-year strategic plan for growth, re-structuring and technology to accomplish our increasing program capacity. We remain immensely grateful to the Temerty Foundation for their continued and growing support for GADA!
This funding made it possible to continue to fund the Montalcino Aortic Consortium (MAC), international research program, $ 261,700 for the expansion of the global patient registry that is managed by Dr. Dianna Milewicz, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
GADA initiated and co-founded MAC in 2013 and continues to fund and administer this international research alliance. The mission of MAC is to define the optimal gene-based clinical management of those with heritable thoracic aortic disorders. The specialists in MAC have a range of multidisciplinary expertise in aortic disease, including pediatric and adult cardiologists, clinical geneticists, cardiovascular surgeons, genetic researchers and radiologists.
This year, our research efforts focussed on the Montalcino Aortic Consortium (MAC) through funding and virtual meetings for the clinicians, involved in the research, to discuss treatment guidelines for genetic aortic conditions and research priorities moving forward. GADA will be hosting a large medical summit for the Montalcino Aortic Consortium members in April 2022 to expand on these discussions.
GADA partnered with the Aortic Dissection Collaborative to promote the research of the group that aims to improve treatments, outcomes and quality of life for people impacted by aortic dissection. The Collaborative is a great opportunity for clinician and patient involvement to voice their opinion for research priorities in the field. For more information visit the Aortic Dissection Collaborative website.
Our webinars presented exceptional content from world-renowned and local experts addressing physical fitness and eye concerns in genetic aortic disorders that reached individuals around the world. If you missed a webinar or would like to listen again, please visit GADA YouTube channel.
To continue building awareness, GADA launched a video featuring messages from our Canadian cardiologists, surgeons and friends in recognition of the global September 19th Aortic Dissection Awareness Day. This video can also be found at GADA’s YouTube channel.
The virtual meet-up hosted by GADA on this day, provided an enclosed supportive space that facilitated connections between patients and family members of patients through exchange of their experiences with aortic dissection. We look forward to hosting more meet-ups like this moving forward.
In the new year, GADA will continue working with clinical and research professionals to keep providing support for our community through webinars, virtual meet-ups and one-to-one consultations. We are excited about the launch of GADA’s new and improved Canadian research program and are looking forward to meeting many of you at the Heritable Aortic Disorders Symposium in Halifax, NS that is scheduled to take place from May 20-21, 2022. Stay tuned for more information!
Your ongoing support, shared stories and testimonials, online fundraisers for GADA and donations as well as the support of the Temerty Foundation have kept GADA moving ahead. Thanks to all who donated and will be donating. Please continue to keep GADA at the top of your Giving list!
We hope that you can spend the holidays with your families and friends while still taking the appropriate precautions to stay safe and keep others safe.
Enjoy the holidays responsibly and joyfully!