Connective Issues - Summer 2020

p Team top 10 at the South Florida Walk for Victory.

MEDIA CHAMPION IN MIAMI Media Champion in Miami

one report, like my interview with Bert, can save lives.” Garrett Langford, whose seven-year-old daughter, Haley, has Marfan syndrome, served as community co-chair of the 2020 South Florida Walk for Victory. He and Haley were featured in Local 10’s Marfan coverage this year. “We are very grateful to Local 10 for sharing our story. We hope that it compelled people to learn more about Marfan syndrome. Symptoms can easily be overlooked if there is a lack of awareness. The first time one hears of Marfan syndrome should not be when they are diagnosed,” said Garrett. “Haley loved being in front of the camera and was proud to share the piece with her friends and family. As a result, we have found that relatives and close friends have been willing to support our efforts in any way they can.” Supporting the South Florida Walk for Victory Local 10 anchor Nicole Perez, who has been the chair or honorary chair of the South Florida Walk for Victory since its inception, has also taken a special interest in the Foundation and our community. She is featured each year in a public service announcement that airs extensively on the station in advance of the Walk and champions our cause on her personal social media as well. It’s not uncommon to have the entire Perez family at our Walk for Victory.

Thanks to WPLG-TV, the ABC affiliate in Miami (known locally as Local 10), the bar has been raised significantly in Marfan awareness over the past several years. The entire Local 10 team, led by General Manager and President Bert Medina, who is on The Marfan Foundation Board of Directors, has taken a special interest in raising the profile of Marfan syndrome and related conditions in South Florida. High Profile News Coverage Even before Local 10 became the media sponsor for the South Florida Walk for Victory (which started in 2017), then medical reporter Kristi Krueger, who is now a Local 10 anchor, featured Marfan syndrome on the news several times. And each year, in the weeks leading up to the Walk, she has featured local families with Marfan as a way to help increase diagnosis and promote fundraising for the Walk. “I have been a medical reporter for more than 30 years and, during that time, have produced numerous stories about Marfan syndrome. Of course, the one that hit closest to home was my emotional feature report with my boss and President of WPLG-TV, Bert Medina. Bert almost died as a result of Marfan syndrome and is passionate about educating the public,” said Kristi. “It’s vital to enlighten our viewers about the signs of Marfan because so many people have this condition and don’t even know it. Just

12

Marfan.org