I am not certain that I can describe in words a sentiment that has accompanied me for most of my adult life, namley what it is to spend a lifetime being weary of a condition one may or may not have, but what I can say is that associations such as GADA provide relief by their effort to uncover the complexities of aortic disorders and narrow the scope of research to define individual problems.
Both my paternal grandfather and father have suffered from aneurysms and aortic ruptures; my father having been specifically diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, but until the role of GADA in deciphering and highlighting the distinctions in aortic disorders, I felt as though I was living under an umbrella of fear. I am thus thankful for the distinguished effort they are making to create an open registry for clinicians, scientists and doctors to have a clearer understanding of the disorder and its implications on individual patients.