By Terri Lovio, Harrah Guest Experience Supervisor and HCMA patient and member

Harrah’s Southern California Resort in Funner, CA has a great program called “Funner Model Citizen” which consists of Team Members with a passion for making a positive impact by serving guests, the team, and/or the community. 

We become Funner Model Citizens by volunteering, participating in our Business Impact Groups (BIGS), providing family style service to guests and team members, participating in property committee boards and volunteering and assisting in the execution of certain property events. Every team member who participates or qualifies as a Model Citizen will have the chance to win a Model Citizen Award for which ten team members “Share the Wealth.” Annual winners receive; 60,000 Total Return Credits and $1,500 cash donations to the charity of the winners choice.  

For 2024, I was one of the 10 winners, and I chose HCMA to receive this donation. I’m so happy that HCMA Volunteer Judy Brunner and her son were able to join me at Funner, CA at our 2024 Funner Model Citizen Grand Prize Share the Wealth Contest Ceremony.  I’m so happy that HCMA Volunteer Judy Brunner and her son were able to join me at Funner, CA at our 2024 Funner Model Citizen Grand Prize Share the Wealth Contest Ceremony.  

I was diagnosed in 2009 with HoCM.  In 2019, I became an HCMA Facebook group member and in 2020, I subscribed as a HCMA member.  In June 2020, I was told that I need to have a myectomy and mitral valve repair, ASAP and (that Dr., which I will not name), advised me that he could not help me and I needed to find someone who could).  HCMA assisted me with finding a Center of Excellence for this surgery.  

In September 2020, I had surgery (myectomy and mitral valve repair) at Stanford University Medical Center.  With a few complications involved, I was able start living life again. After my surgery, I was referred to UC San Diego Health, an HCMA-recognized Center of Excellence for my post-surgery care. It was at UC San Diego that I became a patient of Dr. Silva Enciso. He has been a godsend to me.  , 

In May 2021, I began to have syncope episodes.  Dr. Silva referred me to a UCSD EP, Dr. Frederick Han.  They both decided to give me a Holter monitor to wear for 10 days. It was discovered that my heart was stopping, resulting in my syncope episodes, and while sleeping, (21 seconds was the longest with a stopped heartbeat). Both doctors reacted quickly and, within 4 days of this discovery, it was determined that I needed a pacemaker. In July 2022, I had a 2-lead wire pacemaker inserted and since then, my syncope episodes went away, and I could sleep knowing my heart was safeguarded and I can babysit my grandchildren again.  

Due to Dr. Silva’s great care, he recommended that I join a clinical research study for a new medication, Aficamtem. In April 2024, I joined the study. Due to my history and struggle with HoCM, I felt it was only right to say thank you to Lisa and her team who have spearheaded such an important cause to help HCM patients with finding the right care at COE facilities, and who offer recommendations and support.

HCMA thanks Terri for her kindness in offering us this grant. If you or your company would like to make a donation to HCM to help patients and their families, please contact elena@4hcm.org or visit our Donation Form.