About the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation

Peter Donato

Peter was diagnosed with LDS in 5th grade and the following summer he and his family went to their first Marfan Foundation conference in Philadelphia. Since then Peter has been very involved. Currently he is the Teen Program Leader and Teen Council Co-Chair. When he isn’t volunteering you find him in his hometown of Boston, MA, hanging out with friends and family.

KATHLEEN DREISSEN

Kathleen Dreissen lives with her husband, Sam; their sons, Liam and Nolan; and an anxious Goldendoodle. An educator for nearly two decades, Kathleen currently serves as a Kindergarten through fifth-grade dual language Mathematics Interventionist and co-leads her district’s mentoring and induction program.

Her connection to the community began when Nolan was diagnosed at age three. Since then, the family has actively participated in foundation events, and Kathleen regularly attends the LDS Connect Support Group. In 2025, her husband’s outreach to the mayor of Saint Charles, IL, led to March being proclaimed LDS Awareness Month, allowing the family to share Nolan’s journey at a city council meeting.

Bennett Kitchens

Bennett lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying biology on the Pre-PA track. She and her father, Freddie, were diagnosed with LDS (Type 3/SMAD3) in 2018. Bennett attended high school in Cleveland, Ohio, where she later worked as a student researcher on connective tissue disorders for Dr. Eric Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic. She currently works at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, (a hospital hospitality house similar to Ronald McDonald House) alongside classes. Bennett has served as Community Outreach Chair for LDS Walk for Victory, and she and her parents have participated in the walk every year since her diagnosis. She has a younger sister, Camden, and four dogs, Friday, Coffee Bean, Monday, and Brown Potato.

Gretchen (Oswald) MacCarrick

Past President and Co-Founder

Gretchen lives in Towson, Maryland, with her husband, Jacob. She is a genetic counselor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she specializes in caring for individuals and families affected by Loeys-Dietz syndrome and other connective tissue disorders. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology and has dedicated her career to advancing education, research, and compassionate care for those living with genetic conditions. As a co-founder of the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, Gretchen has been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission and growth. She served as the Foundation's president and has been a member of the Board of Directors since its founding in 2007, providing nearly two decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to the LDS community.

CARLOS MORALEs

Carlos Morales lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife, Stephanie, and their daughter, Kylie. Their child, Ash (Kaitlyn Rose), passed away in September 2023 at the age of 14. After Ash's passing, their family learned that Ash had undiagnosed Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which led Carlos to undergo genetic testing. He was subsequently diagnosed with LDS Type 2. In honor of Ash's life, Carlos and his family have become passionate advocates for LDS awareness. They have been instrumental in the success of the St. Louis Walk for Victory, serving as top fundraisers and local LDS community chairs while helping to educate others and support families affected by LDS.

Bridget Porter-Metz

Bridget became involved with the LDS community following the loss of her 13-year-old son, Connor. Since then, she has been a tireless advocate for education and awareness of Loeys-Dietz syndrome and aortic disease. A respected leader in Northern California, Bridget has helped grow the Northern California Walk for Victory into one of the Foundation's most successful events, leading record-breaking fundraising efforts alongside her community. She is also piloting an educational program for nursing students at the University of San Francisco to increase awareness of LDS, Marfan syndrome, and related connective tissue disorders. In recognition of her extraordinary leadership and dedication, Bridget received the Foundation's Heart of Gold Award in 2022.

JORDAN RAMSEY

Jordan is an Industrial Engineer in healthcare living in Ann Arbor, MI working on patient safety, process improvement, and innovation. Jordan’s sister and only sibling, Erin, was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and passed away in 2008 when she was 16 years old and Jordan was 14 at the time. Since then, Jordan has been involved with the LDSF by volunteering at biannual conferences, raising awareness through her writing and helping with fundraising events, and volunteering in the community through baking cakes for kids with life-threatening illnesses and volunteering as a camp counselor at a camp for grieving children.

Diane Rich, PT, DPT

Diane lives in La Porte, Indiana, and was diagnosed with LDS in 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in pre-medical studies, a doctorate in physical therapy, and is a credentialed clinical instructor. She divides her professional time between providing patient-centered care and working as the director of human resources at her family’s filter business. Diane enjoys volunteering with Emory DPT’s Alumni Mentorship Program, supporting the online LDS community, and contributing to research efforts that improve physical rehabilitation outcomes for people with connective tissue disorders.