Derek Gray Foundation, Inc.

02/28/2025

What is the value of having your child's cholesterol screened at the recommended ages of 9-11 and 18-21??

You can detect conditions that can lead to heart disease early - conditions such as Familial Hypercholesterolemia which is a very common condition that affects 1 in 250 people! If FH is left untreated in children, it can lead to early heart disease and even early death.

Most importantly... screening them early = they get to be here! They will get to live out their full life!!

02/01/2025

Happy February! Happy Black History Month! Happy Heart Month!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and African Americans are disproportionately affected. High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are common risk factors, yet many don’t know their family’s health history.

One condition that often goes undiagnosed is familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)—a genetic disorder that causes dangerously high cholesterol levels from an early age. If left untreated, FH can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or sudden cardiac events, even in young, healthy individuals like my son, Derek.

Take some time to talk with your family about health history. Ask about conditions like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and cholesterol. If there’s a history of early heart disease or high cholesterol in your family, it’s crucial to get tested for FH and other inherited risks.

African Americans are more likely to develop heart disease at a younger age and experience severe complications but knowledge is power. Early detection, intervention, a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and routine checkups can make a difference.

Have the conversation. Prioritize your heart health. Encourage your loved ones to do the same. Let’s help each other and save lives. ❤️

12/24/2024

As we gather with loved ones to celebrate Christmas, let’s remember the importance of kindness, community, and the gift of good health. This season, we honor Derek’s legacy by embracing the joy of giving and the power of togetherness.

From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. May your hearts be full, your homes be warm, and your holiday be blessed.

With gratitude and holiday cheer,

DG4💜

09/24/2024

💜 Today is FH Awareness Day 💜

On this day, I want to remind you of the importance of knowing the risks of heart disease and the impact it can have on our loved ones. My son, Derek, was a healthy and thriving athlete, but we lost him far too soon to an undetected genetic heart condition. He passed away from a sudden heart attack at just 20 years old, with a 90% blockage in his left coronary artery.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that can cause dangerously high cholesterol levels, often going undiagnosed until it’s too late or damage has already occurred in your heart. FH affects 1 in 250 people, but with early detection, diagnosis and awareness, it can be managed.

In honor of Derek, I’m committed to spreading awareness and encouraging others to get tested. If you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, please take the time to talk to your doctor. Early detection can save lives. 💜

09/11/2024

Traci L Pine

09/11/2024

Very excellent jornal by the Journal of Pediatrics linked below.

“It has been more than a decade since the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes pediatric cholesterol guidelines, recommending screening for all children between 9 and 11 years of age and, if normal, again between 17 and 21 years of age.”

In the case of my family and my son Derek, neither of these things happened. He was screened at age 13 but it was not normal and he was never screened again. Every annual physical and sports physical missed the opportunity to re-screen him. I did not know what I did not know. I will live with and carry this guilt forever but I have an opportunity to make sure other parents are informed and never have to.

Please get your child screened early as recommended and please if the results are not normal, push for additional screening.

Trust me, the inconvenience of additional screenings are far better than the alternative and learning about it too late.

💜

09/11/2024

Do you know what your cholesterol numbers are? September is a great time to go get your lipid profile done and find out!!

Remember you do not have to fit a “profile” to have high cholesterol. You can be young, active, lean, eat right and exercise daily and still have high cholesterol.

Ask your doctor to order labs for a “lipid” profile. It takes 2 seconds and a single needle poke. If you are unable to do it through your doctor, you can go to any Labcorp and do it for $49! If you’re still unable to contact me.

Go find out what your cholesterol numbers are today so you can be here for tomorrow and the next day and the day after that!

Your family needs you.

💜

09/05/2024

Happy September. Happy FH Awareness Month!!

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that can cause dangerously high cholesterol levels—even in kids. If left undetected, it can lead to heart disease at an early age. That’s why pediatric testing is critical! Early diagnosis can save lives by helping families take proactive steps to manage cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease.

If high cholesterol runs in your family, there may be undiagnosed FH. Talk to your doctor about getting your children tested. Early detection leads to early prevention. Let’s work together to protect the hearts of future generations! ❤️

08/16/2024

If you have a child, I highly recommend you attend this webinar presented by a local UW doctor and moderated by my dear friend Ann Dodge, RN. I only wish I had met both of them prior to losing Derek.

The webinar is being out on by Family Heart Foundation on September 6. Please consider joining so that you can become familiar with why it’s so important to advocate for your child and family in requesting a lipid profile.

Detecting high cholesterol early allows for timely interventions to lower the risk of heart disease and aids in prevention of heart attacks, stroke and/or early sudden death.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends lipid screening for all children between the ages of 9 and 11. This is fully supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In this webinar, Dr. Amy Peterson will address the life-saving reasons to screen children early and what can....

07/30/2024

Exciting updates in lipid lowering medications!

-- Achieved primary endpoint of LS mean reduction in LDL-C on top of maximally tolerated lipid modifying therapies at day 84 with statistically significant reduction (p0.0001), which was sustained at day 365 (p0.0001) -- -- Obicetrapib lowered LDL-C by 36.3% at day 84 and 41.5% at day 365,

07/11/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdfBiA8SuUI

Dr. Sarah De Ferranti explains why cholesterol screening for children between the ages of 9-11, or at 2 if the parent has FH, could save a child from early h...

07/11/2024

https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(24)00221-X/abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of patient education, physician counseling, and point-of-care (POC) testing on improving adherence to lipid screening national guidelines in a general pediatric cardiology practice (2017-2023).