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Board of Directors
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​Carin Andersen - President/Co-Founder/Director of PR & AHTV Host
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Bill Barnhart - Director of Community Relations & Marfan Liaison
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Nicole Blackburn - Treasurer
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Terri Cook - VP/Director of Fundraising
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Deb Joly-Warcholik - Director of Volunteer Services
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Jeni Shaffer - Director of Partnership Development
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Tammy Warner - Secretary/Director of Community Relations
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Our Team
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*Non-Board Members (Directors):
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Teri Lize-Carlisi Ali - Director of Support Services (Caregivers)
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Adham Ahmed - Retail Operations
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Diane Bishop - Director of Support Services WISE
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Sarah Coupland - Director of Event Planning
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Maria T. Herrera - Director of Support Services (Spanish)
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April Kee - Director of Support Services (Bereavement)
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Katherine Langer - Director of Support Services (Bereavement)
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Velda MacKenzie - Director of Support Services (Canada)
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Mark Martucci - Director of Support Services
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Martha Morris - Director of Support Services (Canada)
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Ryan Rodarmer - Director of Genetic Education
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Robb & Mindy Seltzer - Culinary Nutrition Educators
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Molly Thomas - Director of Social Media
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Kathleen Whitworth - Director of Support Services (Caregivers)
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Melissa Yee - Director of Support Services
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*Non-Board Members (Administrators):​
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Sharon Carr - Fundraiser
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Joyce Carambot - Social Media
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Samantha Colon - Social Media
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Duc Giao - Social Media
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Purab Kothari(Medical Social Media
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Sandra Lyden - Grants Administrator
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Alvaros Martinez Medical Social Media
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Nikki Matyasi- Social Media
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Shaun Nicole - Social Media
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Thomas Nowetner - Community Liason
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Chris Nowlin - Administrative Coordinator Volunteer & Community Svcs
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Sathya Pallapothula Medial Social Media
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Scott Paulsen - Community Liason
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Claire Platt - Administration/Distribution
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Bruce Waldrop - Fundraising
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Rebecca Wiseman - Social Media Administrator Canada
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Keyana Zahiri Medical Social Media
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Our Mission
Aortic Hope (501c3 Charity) serves a community of patients, survivors, and caregivers living with an aortic disease.
The organization's goals are to Spread Hope, Create Awareness, and Provide Support during the recovery and management of aortic disease.
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Our Story
Connecting Hearts...one Beat at a Time.
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It was the spring of 2016 when two aortic disease survivors discussed the possibilities of hosting a celebratory event in honor of the upcoming Global Aortic Dissection Awareness Day. Together, they talked about their hopes and dreams, cried over their shared struggles, and laughed in anticipation over the prospects of meeting in person. Once the two met, they quickly realized the need for an organization to be created that would focus on all aspects of Aortic Disease.
Having connected with a Caregiver of Marfan Syndrome patients, the three recognized that in order for this group to truly come to fruition, having a Caregiver would be an intricate piece of the puzzle.
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In bringing different experiences and perspectives to the group, Aortic Hope was formed. The group is now a globally recognized non-profit organization whose focus is to Spread Hope, Create Awareness and Provide Support during the recovery and management of Aortic Disease.
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The Board and Volunteers work tirelessly in managing their own Aortic Disease, personal lives as well as organizing fundraisers, online support groups, providing daily inspiration and wisdom, hope mail care packages, and MUCH, MUCH more.
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In 2023, Aortic Hope, with the permission from Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland, produced the American version of Aortic Dissection: The Patient Guide. This guide which is written by patients, for patients and their caregivers, has been clinically reviewed and endorsed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Society for Vascular Surgery. It will launch the Spanish guide in 2024 and Aortic Disease: The Patient Guide in 2025.
This is only the beginning...
Aortic Hope strives to Connect Hearts....One Beat At A Time. Your donations are graciously appreciated, which helps make our initiatives become your reality...
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Spread Hope
Spreading hope is the cornerstone of what Aortic Hope is about. We spread hope online by providing:
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Inspirational stories posted by community members
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Hope Mail Care Packages sent to community members
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Saturday Survivor Video and Blog Series
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Provide Aortic Dissection: The Patient Guide
Create Awareness
Aortic Hope wants to help educate the public. To achieve this goal we:
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Actively participate as a working group member of Think Aorta US
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Participate in radio shows (Sirius XM), podcasts, Television Programs (The Donna Drake Show) and Good Morning Maryland, Rotary Clubs, local fundraising, participating in podcasts such as The Way To My Heart and R U Relentless and Unstoppable, being featured in Endoscopy Today and Baltimore Magazine, speaking at symposiums and educational events such as the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health Community Symposium and Rock From The Heart
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Offer items on our Hope Shops to spread awareness
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Provide Aortic Dissection: The Patient Guide
Provide Support
Navigating the recovery and management of aortic disease is often confusing and overwhelming. Aortic Hope provides support for aortic disease patients, survivors, and caregivers by:
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Hosting Live Q&A sessions on the AHTV YouTube channel, with professionals associated with Aortic Health
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Featuring Ask A Dr. and allowing community members to have questions answered in real time by a Cardiologist
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Offering weekly online support group and include guest speakers
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Presenting Patient Awareness Posters
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Collaborating with Think Aorta US and spreading the importance of #ThinkAortaThinkFamily
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Provide Aortic Dissection: The Patient Guide
Get Involved
Would you like to be involved with Aortic Hope by Spreading Hope, Creating Awareness or Providing Support? Maybe you would be interested in receiving some Hope in the mail? Please take a look at some options below, we would love to hear from you!
Annual Reports
2024
2023
2022