2017 Angela Hadfield

ANGELA HADFIELD

Tissue Recipient

Age 26 ~ Syracuse, NY

Recovery Coordinator in Tissue Donation

Honored by American Association of Tissue Banks at aatb.org

Angela Hadfield was born with a congenital defect called Chiari Malformation, a malformation of the brain. In 2015, she had brain surgery to repair the defect. Without this surgery, Angela may have experienced permanent nerve damage. Her allograft patch allowed her brain to have more room and the spinal fluid to flow more effectively to the rest of her body. Without this generous gift of tissue, Angela may have experienced permanent nerve damage, as well as other complications such as cysts in the spinal cord. She now is able to resume her active lifestyle, and continue working full time as a Recovery Coordinator in tissue donation. Angela is actively involved in promoting the Chiari and Syringomelia Foundation.

Angela’s Story

Tissue Transplant Experience

Angela was born with a congenital defect called Chiari Malformation; a malformation of the brain. In 2015, she had brain surgery to repair this defect. Her surgeon removed a small section of her skull and cut through the covering of the brain, known as the dura, which would allow the brain to have more space, and prevent further sagging of the cerebellum into the spinal canal. Because of this, an allograft patch needed to be sewn into place which allows the brain to have more room and the cerebral spinal fluid to flow more effectively to the rest of the body. Without this surgery and the generous gift of tissue, Angela may have experienced permanent nerve damage, as well as other complications such as cysts in the spinal cord, breathing problems, visual impairments, decreased strength in the extremities and even paralysis or death. Because of this surgery, she is also able to resume her active lifestyle, which includes running, hiking and weight lifting. She was also able to continue working full time in a career that she loves as a Recovery Coordinator in tissue donation. Chiari Malformation is thought to affect 1 in 1000 people in the United States; however most patients suffer from debilitating symptoms for years before being diagnosed. For Angela, who is an AATB certified Tissue Bank Specialist; this recognition would give her a chance to express her gratitude to all of the families, including the family of her donors, who’s generous gift gives patients like herself a new outlook on life.

Tissue/s Recieved

Angela was the recipient of two separate grafts. One was from skin and the other was from pericardium. Details of the two separate grafts are explained above. Angela was given the info on the one graft and has written a letter to the donor family; no response yet. She continues to actively seek the info on her other graft so she can write a thank you letter to the other donor family too.

Advocacy Activities and Media Coverage

Angela supports the Chiari and Syringomelia Foundation. She is actively involved in promoting Chiari awareness on both a local and national level. Since her surgery, Angela has been involved in helping to organize the annual Conquer Chiari walk in Rome, NY and she also writes monthly blogs for the International Chiari Association with hopes to help others who have received this diagnosis. Additionally she is a member of her local support group “Syracuse Chiarians”. Angela has also shared her story with different organizations and health care providers to further advance Chiari research.