Bicuspid Aortic Foundation View From Here September 2007

BAVD and TAAD
In the Young and the Strong . . . .

The 2007 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic was played at San Diego State's Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday, August 11th. Playing in this game is an exceptional opportunity, a dream come true, for the 38 individuals chosen from across the United States.

Among those on the field was Brent Warren, 17 years old, from Robins, Iowa. Brent's playing that day had a miracle quality to it, for in the fall of 2006 this very talented young high school athlete was diagnosed with BAVD. He and his family were told he needed surgery quickly, and he underwent life-saving aortic surgery in December, just 8 months prior to the All-American game. These links tell us some of Brent's story:

Player Profile: Brent Warren

The cardiac kid: Brent Warren overcomes aneurysm, heart surgery

As August turned into September, the press also reported the experience of the Moxie family in South Carolina, tragically reminding us of another side of Thoracic Aortic Disease - its ability to strike down the young and strong suddenly and to affect multiple family members in different ways.

Saturday is Bittersweet for Moxie Family
One Daughter Mourned, Another Improves After Surgery

It is beyond our comprehension that two sisters in one family could be stricken within two days. The medical literature describes this as familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection (Familial TAAD).

Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections --
incidence, modes of inheritance, and phenotypic patterns

I want to emphasize the following words from the above paper, in hope that it will help families receive proper screening of critical areas, including the blood vessels of the head:

"Familial TAAs have a relatively early age of onset. Aneurysms in relatives may be seen in the thoracic aorta, the abdominal aorta, or the cerebral circulation. Screening of first-order relatives of probands with TAA is essential."

As I write this, it is September - a special month, TAAD Awareness Month.

The Theme for 2007 is the theme of the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation every day of the year:

"Creating a Climate of Hope".

This month we mourn with families who have lost their loved ones.

We remember all those fighting for life,
injured by BAVD and TAAD.

We are thankful and share in the triumph
of each one who receives life-saving treatment
and is restored again.

All these emotions are with us this month,
as together we create a climate of hope.

Sincerely,
Arlys Velebir
Chair, Board of Directors
Bicuspid Aortic Foundation

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