Local Nonprofit Changes Name, Expands Mission

Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation, a Pasadena-based nonprofit organization that advocates research and education to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated lipoprotein(a), has changed its name to Family Heart Foundation and expanded its mission to better empower patients and their families.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common life-threatening genetic condition that causes high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol from birth. Untreated, FH can lead to early heart disease.

Lipoprotein(a) is an important genetic risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High Lp(a) levels are associated with higher risk for heart attacks, aortic stenosis, and stroke.

The nonprofit, founded in 2011 by Katherine Wilemon as the FH Foundation, is celebrating its 10th year of service to the community.

“The Family Heart Foundation is creating solutions to persistent gaps in healthcare for individuals at highest risk of early cardiovascular events and, ultimately, premature death,” Wilemon, who sits as CEO of the foundation, said. “Our projects and services are rooted in the patient’s needs and empowered by cutting-edge applications of real-world data and machine learning technology to transform the way people living with genetic drivers of heart disease and stroke receive care.”

Wilemon herself had a heart attack at the age of 39, a diagnosis of FH at 41 and years later found out she also had elevated levels of Lp(a). She recalled that at the time of her diagnosis, she was not the only one who had experienced a missed diagnosis and early heart disease. Knowing that more research, education, and awareness were needed in order to effect real change, she decided to establish the FH Foundation.

For the past 10 years, the Foundation has worked with partners, advocates, scientists and others in the medical community to serve the needs of individuals and families at high risk for heart disease due to FH and elevated Lp(a). Some of their patients have homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), the rare and most severe form of FH.

“Though the FH Foundation is only 10 years old, it has accomplished a tremendous amount for the people we serve, especially affected families,” Dr. Josh Knowles, assistant professor of Medicine at Stanford Health Care, said.

Knowles is also Chief Research Advisor at Family Heart Foundation.

To learn more about FH Foundation, visit www.thefhfoundation.org.