ACHA works closely with families to set up a tribute fund in honor or memory of their loved one with CHD. If you are interested in learning more about how you can create a tribute fund, please contact giving@achaheart.org.
Karen McNulty Heart Heroes Scholarship Fund
Karen (Klein) McNulty was a co-founder and the first president of the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
She was also the first chairperson of the newsletter committee and was one of the original editors of the newsletter and co-chair of the first ACHA National Conference in September 2000. As an organization, ACHA owes its solid foundation to Karen's vision, intelligence and dedication. This special fund was created to honor her memory; Karen strongly believed that it should be possible for everyone to attend an ACHA conference regardless of their circumstances.
Many congenital heart defect survivors face economic hardship due to their lifelong cardiac disability. Our scholarship recipients tell us that attending an ACHA National Conference is a life-transforming event. Since our first National Conference, ACHA has not only kept registration at less than half of conference costs, but has also fully funded travel scholarships for eligible applicants. Your donation to the Karen McNulty Heart Heroes Scholarship will help continue to make this possible.
Click here for ACHA's dedication to Karen McNulty.
Dale Amorosia Heart Fund
Dale Joseph Amorosia led a full life in spite of fighting the congenital heart disease of Shone's Syndrome.
This included graduating from the University of San Diego where he was the coxswain on the crew team for four years; working as a field representative in the State of California Assembly; and running for State Senate in Minnesota in 2016. He was working as a pharmacy technician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, when he passed away at age 43 in 2018.
But most importantly, Dale was a loving and caring brother, co-worker, son, and friend supporting the needy and underprivileged. To help individuals with CHD, the Dale Amorosia Heart Fund has been formed in conjunction with the Adult Congenital Heart Association, which he supported throughout his adult life. Donations to the Dale Amorosia Heart Fund will support ACHA’s research efforts by funding fellow grants.
To learn more from Dale's family about his life, and about the creation of his fund, click here.
William Browne Family Fund
As an adult with congenital heart disease, William Browne has learned about and believes in the importance of the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
As he says, “Not only does this organization focus on research and education for patients as well as physicians, but I also find the collaboration and networking opportunities to be so necessary for all patients alike.” For these reasons and many more, the William Browne Family Fund is proud to support ACHA’s efforts as a whole, with a specific intention to support the organizations growth in the Midwest region of the United States.
Julie Fletcher Family Fund
Julie Fletcher was born in the mid-1960s with Shone’s complex syndrome. After 45 years of a solo CHD journey, she and her family discovered the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
Becoming part of the ACHA community connected Julie to fellow CHDers who understood her life experiences. Julie and her family feel that supporting ACHA’s education and research through this fund is very important for the continuing advancements in physical and mental awareness in congenital heart disease.
Meil Family Foundation Fund
Barry and Wendy Meil are longtime members, supporters and volunteers of the Adult Congenital Heart Association. Their son was born six weeks premature with tetralogy of Fallot.
After open heart surgery at three years old, they were told he was “cured” and would only need occasional check-ins with a cardiologist. Barry and Wendy found ACHA when their son was 26 and, after complaining about lethargy and palpitation-like feelings in his chest, their family learned about the importance of lifelong care by an adult congenital heart disease cardiologist. Today, their son is thriving with a successful career and a family of his own. The Meil Family Foundation Fund supports ACHA’s general operations, special projects, and more.
Jim Wong Memorial Fund
Jim Wong served as ACHA's Board Chair, led ACHA's first Research Committee, and served as long-time moderator for ACHA's online discussion forums.
Jim gave tirelessly to the congenital heart community, and was passionate about the potential for science and technology to improve the well-being of congenital heart patients. Donations to the Jim Wong Memorial Fund will go to support ACHA's efforts to use technology to create innovative approaches to promoting ACHD research and improving patient access to education, medical records, and peer support.
Brad's Heart of a Jayhawk Research Fund
At age 3, Brad Wuggazer met Dr. Philip J. Hofschire. From that day on, he told everyone that he wanted to be a pediatric cardiologist when he grew up.
It was always Brad's desire to make things better for those with congenital heart defects who came after him. To that end and for that purpose, Brad's family established this fund to hopefully (in some small way) fulfill that dream.
Donate to a Fund
If you would like to donate to one of these funds, click below and enter the name of the fund in the "Gift in memory of" area.