EXPANDING OUR WORK TOGETHER
As we reflect on the past year at The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health (The JRF), we are filled with gratitude and pride in the progress we have made together. Every step we take continues to honor Johnās legacy, and each achievement strengthens our mission to prevent thoracic aortic dissections.Ā
This year has brought meaningful new collaborations, continued research efforts, and advancements in our education and awareness programs. Our initiatives are empowering more families, individuals, and medical providers who need crucial information about aortic dissection. This past year alone, our community has significantly invested more than $1.1 million for our lifesaving mission.
Ultimately, we are saving lives for generations to come.
Thank you from the TOP of our heart,
Ā ā Amy Yasbeck, Founder &
Ā Ā Meredith Ford OāNeal, CEO
suffer an aortic dissection in the US every year
Advancing our Understanding of Genetics
John Ritter Research Program for Aortic and Vascular Diseases
Over 1,500 families are currently enrolled in The John Ritter Research Program for Aortic and Vascular Diseases (JRRP).
Data from the JRRP was crucial to the development of the 2022 AHA/ACC Guidelines for Aortic Disease, which guides precise management to prevent dissection and improve patient outcomes.
New gene variants discovered through JRF funding are now included in the thoracic aortic disease DNA genetic panels worldwide, helping to identify individuals at risk for dissections.
Yield of Postmortem Genetic Testing in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections Presenting for Forensic Autopsy
Post-mortem genetic testing through the medical examinerās office is rarely done.
The John Ritter Foundation has committed funds to complete genetic testing on 68 aortic dissection cases collected at the Cleveland medical examinersā office.
This research could have a ripple effect for families who have lost a loved one to aortic dissection. The results may enable The John Ritter Foundation to advocate for increased post-mortem genetic testing in the medical examinersā office. This data may provide answers for families preventing aortic dissection in further generations.
Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (SMDS) Breakthroughs
Funded by The John Ritter Foundation and Love for Livie, Dr. Dianna Milewicz and her team developed a therapy which prevents strokes in models of SMDS.Ā A clinical trial has been initiated treating children with SMDS and the initial results have been overwhelmingly positive! Based on these findings, the FDA has been approached to expand the clinical trial to involve all patients with SMDS.
Providing Support
When Needed Most
- In July 2024, we trained a new class of passionate and dedicated Aorta Advocates.
- Whether awaiting surgery, living post-dissection, caregiving, or grieving a loved one, we encourage people to reach out to an advocate.
- Since the programās activation in October 2023, we have served more than 350 people affected by aortic dissection. More than 50% served made changes to their aortic journey based on their aorta advocate interactions.
- This year, The JRF welcomed Bella Marin to the team, a registered nurse and aortic expert, to serve as the Patient and Advocacy Coordinator and to act as the Aorta Advocate Program liaison.
Creating the tools to
understand aortic dissection
ADCT Video
The JRF collaborated with our friends from the UK, The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, to customize their video āAortic Dissection Explained: Consider It, Diagnose It, Exclude Itā for a US audience.
Webinars
The JRF hosted six webinars this year with aortic experts: Research Update: Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome; Reproductive Health, Family Planning, and Pregnancy; Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease in Children; Research Update: The Clinical Guidance App & Exercise Trial; Fact, Fiction, or Opinion on Aortic Disease with Experts.
Fact, Fiction or Opinion is our most popular with over 1,200 views since September 2024.
Online resources
February 2024 ushered in an overhaul of The John Ritter Foundation website with better user experience and more resources.
Most downloaded resources:
Ritter Rules
Mental Health Book
Ritter Rules
Began to update the Ritter Rules to reflect the new AHA/ACC Guidelines. The updated version will ensure that patients and their family members have tools to empower them to advocate for their best care.
Echoes on the Spot
Aortic Dissection Awareness Week
- September 15-21 was Aortic Dissection Awareness Week.
- 7,657 website users during the week
- Social Media Engagement:
- FB follows (+262, +336%)
- IG follows (+297 +430%)
- 94,898 total post engagements
- Premiered the echocardiogram video- check it out!
Expanding our circle
In partnership with the American College of Emergency Physicians, we continue to advance our funded research on improving aortic dissection diagnosis, with scientific manuscripts currently under peer review.
Our mission resonated with the medical community as we were honored to present at both the Houston Aortic Symposium and Dallas Aorta conference, sharing critical insights about aortic health.
At the International Gentac meeting in Tromso, Norway, we proudly shared groundbreaking data from our clinical trial on exercise for dissection survivors, which was met with significant professional enthusiasm.
Through visiting aortic programs at Emory Healthcare and the University of Florida, we strengthened vital professional networks and explored collaborative opportunities in patient care.
We launched a working group of prehospital medicine providers dedicated to improving emergency care and patient outcomes before hospital admission.
Improving Aortic Health through Inclusion
- Black Americans suffer a higher aortic dissection mortality rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Learn More.
- In fact, Black patients who present with aortic dissections do so on average almost a decade earlier than White patients.
- Tonka Williams, RN, and Amy Yasbeck, did over 25 interviews and reached over 15M people shedding light on these statistics and giving tips on prevention like controlling hypertension and knowing you family medical history
A Smart Investment: Where Your Dollars Go
2024 Financials
PROGRAMS: $1,042,406 – 80%
OPERATIONAL: $140,332 – 9%
FUNDRAISING: $125,121 – 11%
TOTAL BUDGET: $1,134,014
*Preliminary fiscal year numbers from 10/1/23-9/30/24
Donate With Confidence
Our Leadership
STAFF
Meredith Ford O’Neal
Chief Executive Officer
Ellen Hostetler
Chief Science Officer
Jenn Vacirca
Finance Director/Executive Assistant
Bella Marin
Patient and Advocacy Coordinator
Professional Advisoryā
Dianna Milewicz, MD, PhD
Chairman
The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston
Ali Azizzadeh, MD
Cedars Sinai
Joanna Chikwe, MD
Cedars Sinai
Anthony Estrera, MD
The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston
John Elefteriades, MD
Yale School of Medicine
Kim Eagle, MD
University of Michigan Health Center
Retired
Hoag Medical Group
Robert Ohle, MD
Health Science North-Ontario
Maral Ouzounian, MD, PhD
Toronto General Hospital
Virendra Patel, MD, MPH
Columbia University
Siddharth Prakash, MD, PhD
The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston
Eric Roselli, MD
Cleveland Clinic
Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH
Oregon Health & Science University
Board Membersā
Amy Yasbeck
Chairman and Founder
Laura Derr
Adam Dinkes
Kent Johnson
Dianna Milewicz
Nancy Petrera
Bridget Porter (Metz)
Cindy Retterer
Carly Ritter Rappold
Jason Ritter
Tyler Ritter
Donald Schwartz
Whitney Strauss
Carolyn Wang
Gregory Weaver
