Fred, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, recently shared his inspiring story of immigrating to the United States, overcoming personal challenges, and advocating for those affected by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). 
Born and raised in Argentina, Fred immigrated to Miami at the age of 14. Fred found himself homeless at the age of 18, but he embraced the opportunities available in the United States, working hard to eventually secure a job and a small apartment. He then pursued a degree in computer science while working full-time, and eventually found work in the banking sector where he was a computer programmer.
Fred eventually settled in Sacramento, California for 23 years. While there, he and his business partners built a successful technology company, while volunteering time on projects with social impact. They developed programs to help migrant farm workers’ children enroll in school in California and supported workforce retraining programs within the Navajo Nation in Arizona.
However, Fred’s personal life took a challenging turn when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) three years ago, a condition his father had passed away from. Initially, Fred experienced heart palpitations while watching television, so he went to a cardiologist and learned that his ejection fraction (EF) was reduced, measuring in the 40s. He also had a slightly enlarged heart and was diagnosed with DCM.
Fred’s early DCM treatments were not highly effective, but after seeking a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic, he received a new treatment plan, including medication, recommended dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. Shortly afterward, Fred discovered the DCM Foundation, where he connected with others affected by the condition and learned valuable information that provided him with real HOPE for the first time since his diagnosis. While attending the DCM Foundation’s monthly webinars, Fred learned about additional medications and met many patients who had successfully received heart transplants and were living wonderful, productive, and healthy lifestyles. Additionally, he met other patients who had successfully stabilized their conditions with the right medications.
After genetic testing revealed Fred has a pathogenic TITIN gene mutation, a genetic marker that can lead to DCM. Using information he had discovered from the DCM Foundation webinars and websites, he advocated for a medication change that significantly improved his condition. Today, Fred is thriving, playing pickleball six to seven days a week, and his heart function has improved greatly to an EF of 58. He credits his success to the support of his medical team, the DCMF community, and his determination to live a full and active life.
Fred’s experiences with DCM ignited a passion to help others facing similar challenges. Recognizing the lack of accessible information in 
Spanish about DCM and genetic cardiomyopathy, Fred resolved to bridge this gap. Leveraging his native Spanish language and the expertise of a tech company he started in Argentina, Fred spearheaded a project to translate the websites of the DCM Foundation (DCMF) and the Genetic Cardiomyopathy Awareness Consortium (GCAC) into Spanish. This initiative has opened doors for countless Spanish-speaking individuals and families to access vital information, support networks, and educational resources in their language. (See RESULTS below!)
Fred’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community. By sharing his experiences, he hopes to raise awareness about DCM and inspire others facing similar challenges. His dedication to translating critical websites into Spanish and advocating for greater awareness has earned him recognition and gratitude from both patients and medical professionals. Fred’s journey is an example of how personal experiences can fuel a desire to give back and inspire others to make a difference.
We are excited to share the results-to-date of the Spanish websites below:
- 22.5% of DCMF website visitors are Spanish-speaking
- Daily visits to the DCM Foundation website have almost tripled
- Daily visits to the GCAC have more than tripled
- Website visits from US states with large Hispanic populations have dramatically increased
- International visitors to our Spanish websites have skyrocketed
