Life-saving THINK AORTA campaign comes to Canada

Acute Aortic Dissection is a lethal disease involving a tear in the body’s main artery, the Aorta, which affects 6 in 100,000 people worldwide. Untreated, mortality is as high as 1-2% per hour.


In 2018, a small group of survivors in the UK launched the THINK AORTA campaign to improve detection, diagnosis and treatment of Aortic Dissection. The patient-led movement attracted the endorsement of leading medical societies, including the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in the UK and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in the US. In 2023, a national cardiac surgery audit credited the THINK AORTA campaign with responsibility for a 68% increase in patients having emergency surgery for acute Aortic Dissection in the UK, meaning that an additional 250 patients per year are receiving the life-saving surgery that they need.

Official data (collected in a sample from Ontario) reveals that Canada is significantly under detecting, under diagnosing, and under-treating cases of Aortic Dissection. The detection rate for Aortic Dissection in Ontario is only 0.61 per 100,000 people, which is 10 times lower than the global rate*.



Action is needed to improve this and save lives. THINK AORTA has become the de facto education campaign and diagnostic strategy for acute Aortic Dissection around the world. In 2020 it was rolled-out to 6,000 Emergency Departments across the US. There are now active THINK AORTA campaigns on five continents and the life-saving THINK AORTA poster is available in the native language of 50% of the world’s population.


Today, we announce the launch of THINK AORTA Canada.

In partnership with the Genetic Aortic Disorders Association Canada (GADA Canada), THINK AORTA Canada, whose Patient Lead is GADA Canada’s Acting President Lindsey Rusche, is launching at the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto from 27-30 April.


GADA Canada is a patient advocacy organization committed to saving lives and ensuring  a promising future for individuals living with genetic aortic disorders. For 37 years, GADA has been the only organization that supports the growing number of genetic aortic disorders (GAD) and where aneurysms or aortic dissections are life threatening. GADA Canada cofounded and supports the world’s largest heritable aortic disease research collaboration, Montalcino Aortic Consortium, and is proud to partner with THINK AORTA to improve aortic dissection patient outcomes in Canada. 

Gareth Owens, the Aortic Dissection survivor who leads the global THINK AORTA campaign, is travelling to Toronto from the UK for the launch. He says “Canada has the same problem as many countries around the world – most of its citizens who have an Aortic Dissection die, due to a lack of awareness of the condition, misdiagnosis, and delays in receiving life-saving treatment. In the past, there was little we could do for these people. Now, with prompt diagnosis and modern medicine/surgery, we know how to save their lives and give them a great outcome after Aortic Dissection. I hope that the launch of THINK AORTA Canada will mark the start of a concerted national effort to save the lives of Canadians with Aortic Dissection. I’m delighted that we already have the support of GADA Canada and AATS for the launch of this campaign. I look forward to working with Lindsey (GADA Canada) and the THINK AORTA Canada team, as patients, clinicians, healthcare policymakers and the media align themselves to support this national life-saving effort.”

GADA Canada looks forward to supporting the very important lifesaving work of THINK AORTA in Canada.  Please visit www.thinkaorta.ca for more information. 

*Ohle R, Savage DW, McIsaac S, Yadav K, Caswell J, Conlon M. Epidemiology, mortality and miss rate of acute aortic syndrome in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study. CJEM. 2023 Jan;25(1):57-64. doi: 10.1007/s43678-022-00413-x. Epub 2023 Jan 10. PMID: 36627470

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Announcement of Executive Director, Linda Malone

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Linda Malone as the Executive Director of the Genetic Aortic Disorders Association Canada (GADA). Linda brings over two decades of invaluable experience in public affairs, government relations, and communications, aligning with our mission to enhance the quality of life for those affected by genetic aortic disorders.

Linda’s appointment marks a significant investment in the future of GADA. Her commitment to advancing human health and her strong national network will bolster our efforts in education, awareness, and research.

Under Linda's leadership, GADA is set to expand its capacity and scalability. Her background includes transformative roles, such as leading a mental health charity, where she championed mindfulness and mental health initiatives. Furthermore, Linda's entrepreneurial spirit and proven track record in strategic planning and organizational growth are poised to propel GADA’s community initiatives forward.

Linda holds a BASc in Semiotics & Communication Theory, along with certifications in trauma biology, suicide prevention, and yoga instruction. She has previously worked at Unilever Canada, gaining valuable experience in brand management, strategic planning and sales operations.

Linda is passionate, purpose-driven and is deeply committed to improving the human condition. We look forward to the positive impact Linda will make in advancing our strategic goals.

This is an exciting time for GADA, and we value your continued support and engagement

EACTS/STS Guidelines recognize the aorta as an independent organ for the first time

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The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and The US Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) endorsed guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic syndromes of the aortic organ, that have been published simultaneously in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

These guidelines recognize the aorta as an important independent organ for the first time, just as the heart, lungs, or brain.

The aorta has no dedicated medical discipline although the incidence and prevalence of aortic disease is increasing globally. Over the past 2 decades interest has been growing in creating specialized teams to treat aortic disease. However, this has not shown positive impact clinically, with aortic diseases usually treated and managed by cardiac or vascular surgery, even though aortic surgery has a significantly higher risk of mortality and morbidity, in comparison with other cardiac procedures.

As an independent organ, these new guidelines recommend:

·      Aortic medicine is now its own subspeciality in which the aorta is viewed as a complex organ and not simply as a large vessel distributing blood to the body.

·      Aortic medicine requires a dedicated multidisciplinary aortic team at ‘Centers of Excellence’ or ‘Aortic Centers’ for the life-long management of patients with aortic disease. Such an aortic team should encompass a variety of expert specialists including a core team of, cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists and radiologists and a larger team of anesthesiologists, perfusionists, critical care specialists, geneticists, genetic counsellors, neurologists, pulmonologists, renal specialists, specialized nurses and social workers.

·      Effective communication among these multidisciplinary specialists and patients is essential for positive clinical outcomes.

The scope of the guidelines includes both thoracic and abdominal aorta and provides recommendations for clinicians on diagnostic and preoperative tests, imaging modalities and measurement approaches, different surgical approaches, size thresholds and timing for surgery and long-term surveillance to treat and manage acute and chronic aortic diseases, including heritable thoracic aortic disease (HTAD).

These guidelines will have profound implications for much-needed changes; in medicine and healthcare, in the content of medical studies and specialist training for development of knowledgeable specialists in this field, and for future collaborative efforts among specialties and research societies, to improve aortic disease outcomes.

These guidelines were developed under the co-leadership of Prof. Dr. Martin Czerny, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Medical center – University of Freiburg, Germany, with a taskforce of international experts in the field. Dr. Czerny is one of the most cited cardiovascular surgeons in the world. He recently became a member of the Montalcino Aortic Consortium (MAC) to align his research with the ongoing MAC gene-based precision medicine research for genetic aortic disorders. GADA, a co-founder of MAC, is proud to fund the registries for MAC research.

Click here to read the EACTS/STS Guidelines for Diagnosing and Treating Acute and Chronic Syndromes of the Aortic Organ.

Remembering Leslie Last

Leslie Last

GADA regrets the loss of one of our long-standing members, Leslie Last, who passed away on August 16th, 2023, at the Moncton Hospital. 

Born on April 4th, 1951, in London, Ontario, Leslie was a truly vibrant spirit and wished for her memorial to reflect this. In her honour, attendees were encouraged to wear their happiest and most colourful clothing.

In lieu of traditional floral tributes, Leslie's family has requested donations be made in her memory to GADA.

We are honoured to receive these donations, and will continue to support individuals and families affected by genetic aortic disorders, offering resources, advocacy, and education to raise awareness about these conditions.

Read the obituary here.

Remembering Cavan and Liz McHenry

With immense sadness, we acknowledge the loss of Cavan McHenry, whose late sister, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ McHenry, was GADA’s founder (originally named the Canadian Marfan Association). We have been honored to continue the life-changing work started by Liz and would like to thank the McHenry family for their continued support, especially during this difficult time.

Cavan was the fifth child of nine born into an Irish Catholic family in Sarnia, Ontario. His hard work and determination led to him running his dental practice in London for over twenty years before retiring in 2019. Cavan's family was the centre of his life. 

Cavan's late sister, ‘Liz’ laid the groundwork for GADA in the mid 1980’s when she submitted a funding proposal to Health and Welfare Canada to start the Canadian Marfan Association (CMA) to support the rare genetic disorder, Marfan syndrome.  Her impact was felt strongly; over the last 37 years, CMA/GADA has been the only organization that supports the growing number of genetic aortic disorders (GAD) that cause life-threatening aneurysms and aortic dissections.  With the aim of achieving better patient support and life-saving research, GADA is committed to saving lives and ensuring a promising future for individuals living with Marfan syndrome and other genetic aortic disorders.

GADA is humbled and honored that in lieu of flowers, Cavan’s family has requested donations to be made to GADA Canada.

Your donation to GADA supports an organization that has existed for 37 years in Canada and recognizes the work of Liz and the McHenry family.

 Read Cavan’s obituary here.

Remembering Frances Lorraine Marie Matichak

Frances Lorraine Marie Matichak

We are GADA are humbled to recieve the donations made in memory of Frances Lorraine Marie Matichak, who passed on Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Frances's life was marked by extraordinary achievements. Born and raised in Montreal, she embarked on a successful career after earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in MIS from McGill University, followed by a Master of Science degree in Project Management from l'Université du Québec à Montréal. Her journey led her to Calgary, where she excelled as a project manager in the oil and gas industry before concluding her career as a senior project manager,

Frances had a compassionate heart, and her love for animals shone brightly. She had a special affinity for rescuing older dogs from the Humane Society.

We are honoured to receive donations made in her memory.

Read the obituary here.

Remembering Gilles Blackburn

Gilles Blackburn

In Memory of Gilles Blackburn, who passed away on February 15, 2023, in Chicoutimi at the age of 61, GADA has received donations in his honour.

GADA is deeply moved by the outpouring of donations received in Gilles's memory. These contributions demonstrate the profound impact he had on the lives of others.

We are honoured to receive these donations. Gilles's memory will be cherished as we remain steadfast in our commitment to improving medical care for those living with genetic aortic disorders, such as Marfan syndrome.

Read the obituary here.

Remembering Courtney Rehel-Lucas

Courtney Rehel-Lucas

In Memory of Courtney Rehel-Lucas, who tragically passed away on May 9 due to surgery complications related to Marfan Syndrome, GADA has been humbled by the outpouring of donations received in her memory. Courtney’s family requested these donations be given in lieu of flowers.

Courtney’s passing, at the age of 28, was announced on Wednesday, May 9, 2023. Courtney was beautiful inside and out, full of life and love for all her family, friends and anything four-legged and furry. She was eagerly planning her upcoming wedding and future travel plans with her fiancé, Nicholas, and was so proud of him and the strides he had made in his life.

We at GADA are deeply honoured to receive these generous donations, and will remain dedicated to enabling a promising future for individuals living with Marfan syndrome and other genetic aortic disorders through education, awareness, support, and research.

Read the obituary here.