Volunteers significantly contribute to the success of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association and our commitment to providing support, education, advocacy, and advancement of research, understanding, and care to those with HCM. The tireless dedication of our volunteers gives us the extra hand needed to make our community’s healthcare experiences positive. To learn more about HCMA volunteer opportunities and get involved, contact julie@4hcm.org or click here.
Share Your Story (SYS)
Our HCMA themes for September are “Septal Reduction Options” and “Managing Non-Obstructed HCM” featuring the story of Maya Warren.
If you want to share your HCM story, please email julie@4hcm.org to schedule an interview. Patient stories are essential to help educate and spread awareness about HCM!
HCMA Ambassador Program
HCMA Featured Ambassador for September 2023 – Reinhard (Fritz) Kirchhof
A little about Fritz: My Name is Reinhard Kirchhof. Everyone calls me Fritz. 72 Years old, retired, born in Frankfurt Germany, immigrated in 1957 with my parents and presently residing in Howell, New Jersey. Diagnosed 27 years ago for HCM way before we had all these COE’s. I am widowed from Janet, my wife of 44 years and have 2 sons, one of who is diagnosed with HCM. Additionally, I have 2 grandchildren, one of whom has also been diagnosed. Both are being followed.
Click HERE to learn more about Fritz and our other HCMA Ambassador volunteers on social media. If you would like to share your HCM experience via social media as an HCMA Ambassador, click here to apply for future workshops.
Legislative Advocacy
Thank you to our volunteer state “Champions” in OH, FL, MA, DE, MD, NY, NV, CT, IL, IN and IA who are getting the word out to state legislators about the Healthy Cardiac Monitoring Act (HCM Act). We aim to pass the HCM Act into law in all 50 states. This effort takes a team! If you are interested in helping any of our champions in the above states or, if you would like to become a champion in another state, email julie@4hcm.org to learn how you can get involved!
Free Online Patient Discussion Groups
Our online discussion group meetings are recurring, but you must register for each meeting date. Our meeting dates, times, and topics are updated regularly, so check our event calendar regularly to join a meeting (or more than one) best suited for you!
HCMA’s September 2023 Featured Discussion Group Leader: Trudy Tynan
Trudy hosts a monthly “HCM Symptoms” Discussion Group. Click on our event calendar for exact dates and times to register for Trudy’s online discussion group. Our free online discussion groups are open to all.
About Trudy: My name is Trudy Tynan and I am retired after 30 years as a reporter with The Associated Press. Fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with HCM, at the age of 60, and have undergone and alcohol ablation and later an ablation for a-fib. I work part-time as a writing tutor at Holyoke Community College in western Massachusetts where I live. I have a passion for birding, especially seabirds. Being a discussion group leader affords me the opportunity to help a group that will ultimately encourage and support each other in facing our own individual journeys with HCM.
To view our event calendar for our free online discussion group meeting dates and times, please click the following link: Patient Discussion Groups – Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (4hcm.org)
HCMA Volunteer GEM Awards Program
The volunteer hours have been calculated from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 and we would like to say congratulations to our HCMA Volunteer GEM Awards Recipients! As a big “thank you!”, each GEM Award winner will receive prizes commensurate with the GEM level they have achieved.
Ruby GEM (for Volunteers donating 80 + hours of their time):
Emerald GEM (for Volunteers donating 40 – 79 hours of their time):
Gold GEM (for Volunteers donating 20 – 39 hours of their time):
Milla Arabadjian
Karen L. Newstrom
Tim Westhaver
Gwen Mayes
Karen Klimczak
Lekeshia Henderson
Fabian Metayer
Leigh Bell
Marc D. Block
Marion van Sinttruije
Debra A. Rafson
Lynda Neuhausen
Greg LeValley
Trudy Tynan
Sydelle Zinn
Rosemary Conlon
Martin Maron
Adam Salberg
Victoria Wyatt
Silver GEM (for Volunteers donating 10 – 19 hours of their time):
Amy Mann
Maier Bianchi
Lauren Donoghue-Cinelli
Ashley Fisher
Judith Zerden
Rush W. Roberts
Aaron Troy
Alison Conklin
Joey Graham
Elizabeth Wessman
Breanna Restorick
Alex de Feria
Debbie Hamilton
Marsha Rosenberg
Avonne White
Reinhard Kirchhof
Susan Shapiro
Bronze GEM (for Volunteers donating 5 – 9 hours of their time):
Vi Tang
Amy Lenhart
Lisa Marie Vecchione
Benjamin Lee
Melissa Holloway Schmidt
Click GEM to learn more about our HCMA Volunteer GEM Awards Program and how you can get involved.
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