Connective Issues Spring 2018

SPECIAL EVENTS

SAN FRANCISCO HAS HEART First Evening with Heart in San Francisco is a Resounding Success

WHY MONTHLY GIVING IS GOOD

Monthly subscriptions are every- where nowadays and, even before services like Netflix revolutionized how we consume and pay for things like TV, we were used to monthly billing. For everyone, monthly pay- ments spread out during the year make the outlay more tolerable for budgets and allow for easy planning. This is also true for charitable contributions. As a monthly donor to The Marfan Foundation, you can receive one tax receipt for your yearly contribution or a monthly tax receipt; it’s up to you. Either way, monthly giving makes it easier for you to keep tabs on your donations. And that’s not all. As a monthly donor to The Marfan Foundation, you will receive fewer “asks” from us and more updates. Your gift made over the period of several years stacks up in terms of total impact. For example, if your donation is for our conference scholarships, you can see how the conference changes lives year after year. In addition, your monthly gift supports the Foundation’s ongoing programs and helps us grow. To become a monthly donor, please go to Marfan.org, click on donate, and indicate that you would like your donation to be monthly. If you have any questions, please contact Helaine Baruch, chief development officer, hbaruch@ marfan.org. Monthly Donation Means Greater Impact

The Foundation held its first Evening with Heart in San Francisco on February 1, and the local community responded enthusiastically. Nearly 100 people enjoyed a fun-filled evening with great food and conversation. They learned about Marfan and related conditions and they bid on amazing silent auction items, raising $90,000 for the Foundation. Evening with Heart was chaired by Emily Wheeler, a member of the Foun- dation’s Board of Directors, and her husband, Myles Danielsen. They were joined by an incredible committee of supporters. The funds raised support the Foundation’s life-saving and life- enhancing programs and services. “The Marfan Foundation has always been very close to my heart,” said Emily, who was diagnosed with Marfan at the age of 3. “I was excited to introduce my community in San Francisco to the Foundation, as well as educate everyone about Marfan and spread awareness.” Emily explained to attendees how her parents turned to the Foundation for state-of-the-art medical information, as well as practical advice and emotional support. “I can’t imagine growing up without the Foundation,” said Emily. “I’ve met other affected individuals from all over the country, some mildly affected like me, and others who face daily health challenges. Especially as a teenager, it was comforting and life-affirming to have friends with experiences similar to my own. And the research funded by The Marfan Foundation has directly impacted my life by identifying the best treatments.”

EVENING WITH HEART SAN FRANCISCO CO-CHAIRS, EMILY WHEELER AND MYLES DANIELSEN

The first Evening with Heart in San Francisco raised far more money than Emily anticipated, and she has big plans to attract even more people in the years to come. “I want to continue to brainstorm ways to encourage attendance so that this is an event people look forward to every year and don't want to miss!” she said. The Foundation could not be more grateful.

As this issue went to print, we were also celebrating a successful Evening with Heart in Chicago. Special thanks to our committee chairs, David and Heather Earnhart, and committee members Heather Berhalter, Dr. Joseph Camarda, and Elizabeth Cappella. The event raised more than $30,000.

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