Connective Issues Spring/Summer 2025

Spanish-Language Offerings The Foundation is continuing its commitment to expand resources for native Spanish speakers in the U.S. and globally. Over the past four years, we have grown our range of offerings to provide essential information, tools, and support to our Spanish-speaking community.

Educational Summit Our Fourth Spanish-Language Summit was held virtually in January with close to 300 registrants from 11 different countries. Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Columbia were the most represented. Attendees heard presentations from leading experts on genetic aortic and vascular conditions: Dr. Arturo Evangelista, Spain; Dr. Juan Calderón, Chile; Dr. Elena Montañés, Spain; and Dr. Laura Muiño-Mosquera, Belgium. Personal perspectives were presented by members of our worldwide Marfan, Loeys Dietz, and VEDS communities. Educational sessions from the Summit are available to view on our YouTube channel. The Fifth Spanish-Language Summit will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026. Watch for details later this year. Support Group In February, our monthly virtual Spanish-Language support group, Conexiones, celebrated one year of bringing together people with connective tissue conditions from all over the world, including Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, and the United States. Informative Videos The Foundation ’ s YouTube channel, @TheMarfanFoun dation, has amassed more than 90 videos in our “Vídeos en Español (Spanish-Language Videos)” playlist. The videos feature medical experts discussing a variety of topics fo cusing on diagnosis, treatment, and quality-of-life issues. Digital Resources The Foundation’s website can be easily translated to access most of our online resources, and we have Instagram and Facebook pages, @lafundacionmarfan, in Spanish. Individuals can also ask

 Victor Daniel Solis (pictured front center) at the 2025 Houston Walk for Victory with his family After first joining Conexiones, Victor Daniel Solis from Texas—who speaks only Spanish—was able to connect online with others living with Marfan syndrome. In March, he attended the Houston WFV and was able to meet community members in person. He also plans to attend our 40 th Conference in July. 40 th Conference The Foundation will offer two sessions in Spanish at the 40 th Conference in Atlanta in July. Living with a Connective Tissue Condition: The Medical Side will be presented by Dr. Juan Bowen. There will also be an in-person Conexiones

support group meeting as well as a personal perspectives story from community member Joaquin Ramos.

medical questions through Our Help & Resource Center and communicate with our bilingual staff member.

“The Foundation’s resources that are available in my language have been useful and have allowed me to understand more about my condition. Attending the webinars, reading the articles, and listening to other people’s experiences, has brought me answers and relief.” ~Victor De la Garza, Monterrey, Mexico

 Victor De la Garza and Bonnie

Scan the QR code to share our Spanish Offerings flyer (in Spanish).

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Spring/Summer 2025