Choose a story from the left.

I'm sure you must know how many letters we get that are just absolutely heartbreaking. I know from personal experience and from getting to know so many families affected by Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection that sharing our stories is sometimes painful. I also know that it is exactly these kinds of stories that inspire the public to learn more about aortic dissection and to evaluate their own family's risk. In the spirit of bringing attention to our cause: may I please have your permission to reprint your story or excerpts from it on the soon to be revamped John Ritter Foundation website? Names of hospitals, doctors and all proper names (unless you specify otherwise) and will be edited out and of course only your first name and last initial will be included. Also, I would love to include a photo. Please write back with your permission regarding the publication of your story and your photos.

Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection is very often inherited. All first degree relatives of survivors or victims of an aortic dissection should be scanned for an aneurysm of their aorta. I would also like your permission to send your story along to Dr. Dianna Milewicz the geneticist at University of Texas in Houston - and To Dr. Anthony Estrera (Thoracic Surgeon) for their thoughts? In the mean time, I urge you to call Ellen Regalado at (713) 500-6723, the genetic councilor to go over your family history with her and, if appropriate, to obtain a DNA sample kit (easy-just spit in the little cup, snap on the lid and send it back in the paid envelope.)

— Feel free to call us at JRFoundation, but all permission for reprinting and sharing your story, photo and/or email will have to be written.

Address:
The John Ritter Foundation
11601 Wilshire Blvd.
#2200
Los Angeles, CA
90025

or email to info@johnritterfoundation.org