Elizabeth's story: 

Finding out I have VEDS is a very interesting story. I was traveling home from a work trip in New Jersey. After two cancelled flights, I was in an Uber to Philadelphia to catch another flight. I started to have some back pain, moving up my chest making it hard to breathe and it kept getting worse. Long story short, I ended up at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital where I was diagnosed with an Aortic Dissection. This type of dissection can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.

After two weeks, I was able to come home. Recently I had genetic testing-- since my doctors could not figure out why this happened to me. Turns out, I have VEDS - Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Very rare and can be scary -- but I know that I have the best medical team in place if/when something should happen.

I'm glad I found The VEDS Movement and The Marfan Foundation as a resource for information and support.

I hope you will consider making a financial donation to help all of us who are affected by a genetic aortic and vascular condition. 

Thank you.