Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Past Reunions

2016 Reunions

Aussie Reunions

In addition to raising funds for SCAD Research and raising SCAD awareness in Australia, Australian survivors kept up the SCADaddle tradition of having SCAD Survivor reunions at each of the SCADaddle locations – Sydney, Melbourne, Noosa and Hobart. With several survivors walking in each State, it was a great opportunity to catch up via lunch, picnics & great conversations following each 5km on 3rd, April.

National Reunion

The 2016 National SCAD Survivor Reunion was held April 29-30 in Naperville, IL.
An informal social was held on Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Besides meeting other survivors and their supporters, those attending had an opportunity to informally meet Mayo Clinic researchers and staff. Bob Alico, founder and president of SCAD Research, Inc., also joined in the festivities.

After the 5K SCADaddle for Research on April 30, Mayo Clinic presented their latest research findings and answered questions from the audience. You can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.

A Survivor Reunion Dinner was organized on Saturday evening for SCAD survivors and their immediate supporters at Granite City Food & Brewery Restaurant. During dinner, survivors shared something positive about the weekend.

New Jersey Reunion

An informal get together was planned for SCAD Survivors and their supporters on Friday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn lobby in Lakewood, NJ.
After the 5K SCADaddle for Research on April 30, survivors and supporters gathered to listen to Mayo Clinic presentation on their latest research findings at the National 5K in IL. You can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.

A survivor reunion dinner was organized on Saturday for survivors and their significant supporters at The Serenity Café, Toms River, NJ.

California Reunion

An informal get together was planned for SCAD Survivors and their supporters on Friday evening September 9 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Carlsbad, CA. They also had an opportunity to meet Sharonne Hayes MD and Jeanne Theis PhD from Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program and Bob Alico, founder/president of SCAD Research, Inc.

After the 5K SCADaddle for Research on September 10, survivors and supporters gathered to hear Sharonne Hayes MD and Jeanne Theis PhD from Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program present their latest research findings and answer questions. You can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.

A survivor reunion dinner was organized on Saturday for survivors and their significant supporters at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad. During the dinner, survivors were asked to share something positive about their SCAD experience.

Pennsylvania Reunion

An informal get together was planned for SCAD Survivors and their supporters on Friday evening September 16 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Bethlehem, PA.

Our first Gratitude Gala cocktail reception took place Saturday evening at the Blue Events Center, Bethlehem, PA. The cocktail reception fundraiser featured medium hors d’oeuvres including a “sliders bar” and “mashed potato bar” along with assorted passed plates. There was a cash bar with fun and festive drink options. Both individual and corporate table tickets were available for the Gala.

A slideshow presentation was created to recognize the survivors in attendance. The presentation included their brief story as well as what SCAD taught them. A memorial presentation for a young mother who did not survive SCAD was shown. While the memorial was a sobering reminder that not everyone who experiences a SCAD survives, it strengthens our resolve to find answers through research.

2016 National Reunion Pictures

2016 West Coast Reunion Pictures

2016 Pennsylvania Reunion Pictures

2015 Reunion

National Reunion

The 2015 National SCAD Survivor Reunion was held May 1 – 2 in Naperville, IL. Various reunion events were organized by survivors Cheryl Crissman, Deb McGarry and Meghan Scheiber. Survivors came from all corners of the US including California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas and Wisconsin. Survivors from Canada and Sweden also attended. This year was the first time a male survivor attended! Now that Rick has attended, we hope other male survivors will join us next year.

An informal social was held on Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Besides meeting other survivors and their supporters, those attending had an opportunity to informally meet Mayo Clinic cardiologists and researchers Dr. Sharonne Hayes, Dr. Patricia Best and Dr. Marysia Tweet along with Jennifer Brink, Mayo Development Department. Bob Alico, founder and president of SCAD Research, Inc., encouraged survivors and their supporters to consider organizing and implementing a fundraiser this year.

After the 5K SCADaddle for Research, Doctors Hayes, Tweet and Best presented Mayo Clinic’s latest research findings and also answered questions. This year, in order to accommodate over 110 participants, the presentation was held in Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare’s auditorium.

A Survivor Reunion Dinner was organized on Saturday evening for SCAD survivors and their immediate supporters. A record 63 survivors and supporters enjoyed dinner at Granite City Food & Brewery Restaurant. During dinner, survivors were challenged to share a positive outcome of their SCAD experience.

This year’s survivors received a SCAD Research water bottle thanks in part to donations from survivors Claudia Brown and Theresa Cole.

West Coast Reunion

The first West Coast SCAD Survivor Reunion was held October 1 – October 2 in Carlsbad, California. Over 30 survivors including one male survivor and their supporters came from across the West including California, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Utah. Other survivors from Massachusetts, Minnesota and Canada also attended. An informal social was held on Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Carlsbad, CA. Dr. Sharonne Hayes, Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program team lead, and Jan Saillard, SCAD Research, Inc. Board of Directors Secretary, met informally with survivors and their supporters at the social.

After the 5K West Coast SCADaddle for Research Dr. Hayes presented Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program’s latest research findings and answered numerous questions to a room full of survivors and their supporters at the Discovery Center, Carlsbad, CA.

On Saturday evening, survivors and their supporters celebrated survivor Ellen Robin’s birthday at the Discovery Center. Everyone enjoyed appetizers, desserts, beverages, a live DJ and a fun evening under beautiful California skies. Thank you Ellen for including us in a memorable evening!

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2015 Reunion Pictures

2015 West Coast Reunion Pictures

2014 Reunion

The 2014 National SCAD Survivor Reunion was held in Naperville, IL on May 2 – 3. The various reunion events were organized by survivors Cheryl Crissman, Deb McGarry and Meghan Scheiber.

An informal social was held on Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. Bob Alico, founder and president of SCAD Research, Inc. spoke briefly asking those present to help get the word out about our organization and passed out generic SCAD Research, Inc. business cards. He asked participants to speak to ten people about SCAD, invite them to like us on Facebook and give them a card.

A lunch, which followed the 5K SCADaddle for Research was held at Edward Hospital for survivors and those interested in learning more about SCAD. The highlight of the lunch was a presentation made by Dr. Sharonne Hayes, SCAD research team lead at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) and Dr. Timothy Olson, principle investigator of SCAD DNA research at Mayo Clinic. Eighty-nine survivors and supporters attended the lunch to hear Dr. Hayes and Dr. Olson and to ask questions.

A Survivor Reunion Dinner was also organized for SCAD survivors and their immediate supporters. Forty-five people enjoyed dinner at CityGate Grille. During dinner, survivors took turns sharing their stories and supporting each other.

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2014 Reunion Pictures

2013 Reunion

The 2013 National SCAD Survivor Reunion was held on May 4 in Naperville, IL. A lunch, which followed the walk, was held for survivors and those interested in learning more about SCAD. Bob Alico, founder of SCAD Research gave an update including his vision of the future. The highlight of the lunch was Dr. Hayes presentation about the latest research.

The evening was enjoyed by survivors and their significant others as well as walk/fun run organizers. While enjoying a delicious meal, survivors took turns sharing their stories and supporting each other.

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2012 Reunion Pictures