“Shane Smith (28) has shared his story as a reminder of how life-changing organ donation can be. At the age of 14, Shane was diagnosed with a mild heart condition and within a year, his life depended on a heart transplant…” To read about Shane’s experience with DCM and heart transplant – please click here.
Patient Stories & Videos
Diagnosed with DCM at 40 – A Hereditary Link?
Meet Andrea, who was recently diagnosed with genetic DCM at age 40, despite not having any symptoms. Andrea’s family experience with DCM started when her father was diagnosed with a reduced ejection fraction in his late 30s. For decades he lived an energetic life —running three miles a day until his mid- 60s—with asymptomatic DCM. He
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Millicent’s Story: DCM & Genetic Testing
Meet Millicent! This is her story in her own words – as initially published on our Facebook page: “On November 5th, 2021, I received news that I had tested positive for a LMNA gene mutation that causes DCM and dangerous arrhythmias. I agreed to testing given my family history of my father’s sudden cardiac arrest
Patient Perspectives: Go Hard or Go to CR
Greg Ruf will be the first to tell you: he used to be a bit of a fitness fanatic. Okay, “a bit” might be soft-selling it: the 57-year-old was totally an adrenaline junkie. You name it, he did it—running, swimming, cycling, elliptical, strength training. A ball of energy who had been active his whole life and who
Woman Vows to “Live Her Best Life” After DCM & Heart Transplant
A 19-year-old mother from Allerton, England was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and fell very ill when she was pregnant, forcing an early birth via c-section. She received a heart transplant and initially faced complications that kept her in the hospital, but she eventually recovered. Her resolution now is to “live her best life”. Read her whole
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DCMF Webinar: “DCM & Heart Transplant: 3 Patient Stories”
Learn about DCM & Heart Transplant from 3 DCM patients and heart transplant recipients.
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Greg’s post-transplant summary. Prepare for the transplant: Physically, spiritually, emotionally.
How to prepare yourself for a heart transplant.
Greg Ruf’s 3rd post-heart transplant video – in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant
Greg Ruf shares his thoughts and experiences regarding being in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant due to heart failure complications resulting from DCM.
Greg’s 2nd post-transplant video. The emotional aspects of DCM and facing a heart transplant.
Greg Ruf discusses the emotional aspects of DCM, and the importance of staying positive when facing a heart transplant.
Greg Ruf, DCM patient, 1st post-heart transplant video
DCM patient, Greg Ruf, provides an update in his first of several videos about his heart failure to heart transplant journey.
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