Connective Issues - Summer 2020

WALKING WHEN WE CAN’T WALK

The Inaugural Global Walk for Victory had been set for Saturday, May 2, long before COVID-19 entered into the equation. The original goal was to give people all over the world a way to Walk for Victory together, no matter their zip code. It turned out we needed the Global Walk for Victory more than anticipated when nobody could gather to walk with community anywhere! Not even social distancing and a global pandemic could stop this incredible community. The Walk’s 42 teams participated from around the globe, including England, France, Germany, Canada, Costa Rica, and South Africa, and raised $21,000. Team members celebrated the success of the first Global Walk for Victory by partying online with DJ Willy Wow. Nearly 75 families gathered online for an afternoon of fun, featuring a spirit content, scavenger hunt, and more with DJ Willy Wow.

p Many thanks to the University of Kentucky Team, led by Mary B. Sheppard, MD!

GLOBAL WALK TEAMS

TEAM FLANAGAN South Carolina

Amy was a member of the largest Walk for Victory in the country in Houston, but wanted to find a way to stay close to the Foundation when her family moved

TEAM KROEKER Ontario, Canada

to South Carolina. “Since moving to South Carolina, where there is no local Walk for Victory, the Global Walk for Victory gave us the opportunity to raise awareness and money for a condition that affects our son and others to ensure that they get the treatment needed to live their lives to the fullest.”

“We raised money for The Marfan Foundation because I discovered a few years ago that I have Loeys-Dietz syndrome. It was an amazing journey of discovery and I couldn't have made it without the incredible support of the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation. I wanted to support LDSF and The Marfan Foundation in any way that I could. So, I created Team Kroeker to help support this great cause!”

TEAM FIONA Alaska Fiona’s Virtual Walk for Victory Team is led by Fiona's mom, Kate McCray. This military family moved around

TEAM MONIQUE VOORN Ontario, Canada “Marfan syndrome has claimed the lives of many of

my family members and I just wish they were alive now to benefit from all of the progress that has been made in terms of treatment. So much of this progress is in thanks to The Marfan Foundation.”

for many years and were stationed in Alaska when Fiona was given a Marfan diagnosis. The Global Walk was a way for this military family to feel at home even while on the move.

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Summer 2020