Transplant Pathway Discussion Group – Hosts Amy Mann and Karen Klimczak

Join our online education/support group leaders, Amy Mann and Karen Klimczak, in a discussion and general Q&A for individuals facing a transplant pathway.  

Amy was diagnosed with HCM at age 5, inherited from her mother. She has numerous family members with HCM, including at least one of her children. She had quite a health journey while trying to maintain normalcy for her family and for herself.  She had a myectomy at age 30 and an implantable defibrillator at 31. Amy developed heart failure in 2016, leading to a cardiac transplant in 2018. Amy's experiences have driven her to advocate for others with HCM and those going down the heart transplant pathway.

Karen was diagnosed with HCM at 27 years old, with no family history and after years of passing out/concussions (early 20s) during physical activity.  Having grown up super active: playing tennis, hiking and weightlifting, HCM wasn’t easy to understand or diagnose. Karen received a life-giving heart transplant on NYE 2020.  As a support group co-leader, Karen hopes to support others along their transplant journey and life’s path. It is all possible because of great support (a huge village) and taking it one moment at a time.