All Things Amyloid
Hi everyone! My name is Mackenzie and I was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis at age 23. We don’t know the cause of this disease, but we do know that it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening issues. This disease has changed me and my life in so many ways, and as a result, I founded Mackenzie’s Mission to join the fight against this disease.
Part of our effort is to raise awareness which, we believe, will accelerate diagnosis, enable earlier treatment, and improve patient lives. We do this in several ways, including our “All Things Amyloid” podcast. In our episodes, we will speak with patients and caregivers about their journey on a wide array of topics. We will also hear from amyloidosis experts about the medical side of this disease.
There is more hope for patients than ever before, and raising awareness around the globe is critical to improving patient lives. If you want to learn more about the work we’re doing at Mackenzie’s Mission, please visit mm713.org. Thanks for listening!
All Things Amyloid
When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient
What if you’re a caregiver for one of your parents as they live with the symptoms of a devastating disease - hereditary amyloidosis? You have to watch them deteriorate, see their life become more difficult, and you knew that at the time there were no treatments available. You dig in to do your research and discover that amyloidosis goes back at least 5 generations in your family. In addition, research reveals future generations, including yourself and your children, have a 50/50 chance of testing positive. The good news is there are now treatments available to slow the progression of the disease. For an overview of amyloidosis, please see episode 2 (for clinicians) or episode 3 (for patients).
