Events 2019
2019 – The University of Leicester, BHF Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre
Theme: Imaging, Genetic Testing, Counselling and Research Design
AD Awareness Day 2019 saw an exciting development: the direct participation of patients and relatives in ground-breaking Aortic Dissection research. Our host, Professor Gavin Murphy had agreed with Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland that the final round of a ‘Delphi’ process (a formal consensus-gathering method) for a proposed research study “Screening in Non-Syndromic Thoracic Aortic Disease” should be conducted during the event.
180 delegates, including AD survivors, relatives, those awaiting elective surgery, researchers and healthcare professionals from almost every medical speciality, created a unique Patient & Public Involvement process to help the research community obtain direct appreciation of the patient view and co-create proposals for the next stage. Workshop sessions took place in the afternoon, following a morning of inspiring talks including the incredible survivor story of our own Mandy Hawker; another very personal story from Amy Yasbeck, widow of American actor John Ritter; and our keynote speaker, Dr Dianna Milewicz, a world-leading authority in the genetics of Aortic Dissection.
We also, as usual, held an brief and poignant ‘In Memoriam’ session for those we have lost to Aortic Dissection.
AD Awareness Day UK in Leicester was our most successful annual event yet.
Host: Professor Gavin Murphy
Sponsors: Terumo Aortic
Currently available videos are as follows – more in preparation
Patient Story
Mandy Hawker – Aortic Dissection Survivor
John Ritter’s Story
Amy Yasbeck – The John Ritter Foundation
Imaging in Aortic Dissection
Prof. Mark Callaway
Photos from the day








Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland is the national patient charity for Aortic Dissection in the UK & Ireland.
Aortic Dissection Awareness Day UK is our flagship national event which happens every 19th September - see our Events page.
THINK AORTA is our life-saving global campaign to improve awareness, diagnosis and prevention of this lethal disease.
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