Despite the Zika Virus, that had an impact on a number of attendees and speakers for us, the 4th Annual Family Support Meeting went on. Fourty-five attendees came together to hear our esteemed physicians and researchers speak on the latest updates in the realm of myocarditis. (Dr. Leslie Cooper of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Jack Price of Texas Children’s Hospital, Dr. Betsy Blume of Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Dennis McNamara of the University of Pittsbugh).
Four of our families shared their very personal experiences with myocarditis to all of us as well. Brenda Vonckx spoke of the loss of her 19-year-old son Austin; Sam Widjaja spoke of the loss of his 10-year-old son Christopher; Jeff Grant spoke of his win over Giant Cell Myocarditis; and
Christopher Corso spoke of his 12-year-old son Matthew’s continued fight against viral myocarditis.
There were past affected families as well as new faces to the event. We wish that we could say that there is no new families to attend, that we (just get together to rekindle our support of one another, but until that happens we will continue to support those as they need it.
In 2017 we are planning the 5th Annual Family Support Meeting the weekend after the Gala in New York City. More info will be posted on our website as becomes available.