Meet the team
Supporting patients and families while promoting research, education, and awareness.
- The Amyloidosis Foundation
The Amyloidosis Foundation
The Amyloidosis Foundation began with the vision of two patients, Don Brockman and Dennis Krysmalski. Don’s desire to support research and Dennis’s commitment to support patients and increase awareness has been the driving force behind the foundation for nearly 20 years. Don’s widow, Mary O’Donnell, has led the foundation to become the success it is today.
Our key priorities are:
Provide research grants for all types of systemic amyloidosis Raising awareness in the medical field for an earlier diagnosis. Educating medical professionals through our Grand Rounds program and attendance at medical conferences. Empowering patients through our comprehensive range of services, including accurate up to date information.
By phone, email or mail, contact us today. We are here to help.
Phone
Email
Mailing Address
Amyloidosis Foundation
7151 N. Main St., Suite 2
Clarkston, MI 48346The Amyloidosis Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
- Our History
Our History
Dennis Krysmalski
Founder
Don Brockman
Founder
The Amyloidosis Foundation owes its existence to many people.
The Amyloidosis Foundation is the result of the merging in 2007 of the Amyloidosis Research Foundation and the Amyloidosis Support Network so that the missions of both organizations could be brought together.
The Amyloidosis Research Foundation was founded by Don Brockman and Mary O’Donnell in 2003. The ARF mission was to support medical and scientific research for amyloidosis.
The Amyloidosis Support Network has roots back to 1999 when Terry O’Malley began helping patients and developing a website that was dedicated to patient support and awareness. Unfortunately, Terry passed away in 2000 due to complications from Amyloidosis. Dennis Krysmalski worked on the website with Terry and continued the vision. Then in 2004, he officially established the ASN. The mission was to make a difference in the lives of patients and families, and to increase the awareness of amyloidosis among the medical community.
- Scientific Advisors
Scientific Advisors
Raymond Comenzo, MD
Tufts Medical Center – BostonMorie Gertz, MD
Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MNMathew Maurer, MD
Columbia University Medical Center, NYGiampaolo Merlini, MD
University of Pavia, ItalyVaishali Sanchorawala, MD
Boston University School of Medicine – Amyloid CenterDouglas Sawyer, MD, PhD
Maine Medical CenterJonathan Wall, PhD
University of Tennessee – Knoxville - Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Mary O'Donnell
President
Mary founded the Amyloidosis Research Foundation in 2003 with her late husband, Donald Brockman, as a means to promote research for systemic amyloidosis. The foundation merged with the Amyloidosis Support Network in 2007 bringing more concentration to patient support by providing information about diagnosis and treatment.
With the help of volunteers and staff, Mary initiated the distribution of informational packets by developing a comprehensive medical community education program. In addition to her many other duties as President of the Amyloidosis Foundation, she coordinates Grand Rounds at institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Dante Burchi
Treasurer
Dante is retired from the financial services industry. He now represents the Detroit Pencil Company for office supplies and furniture, as well as the Absopure company for water, coffee and vending.
Golf is a passion for Dante and he lives with his wife in the Metropolitan Detroit area. He is currently the Treasurer for the 21st Century Club, a non-partisan PAC. Dante is also a board member of the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, a 501c3 organization that helps local students prepare for life after high school, through scholarships and academic support, to enable post-secondary success.
Dante joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the Amyloidosis Foundation in 2016.
Daniel J. Lenihan
Director
Daniel Lenihan, M.D., FACC joined the Washington University in St. Louis Department of Medicine in 2017 as a Professor in the Cardiovascular Division and Director of the Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence. He previously directed the Clinical Research Enterprise in Cardiology at Vanderbilt University for 8 years. He is intimately involved in the latest treatment trials for cardiac amyloidosis.
Dr. Lenihan has been active in cardio-oncology and heart failure for nearly 20 years. The main focus of these efforts have included hemodynamic assessments, angiogenic growth factor response, novel cardiac biomarkers as well as optimal methods to prevent or detect heart failure at the earliest stage possible in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Dr. Lenihan is at the forefront of concerted efforts to develop a viable Cardio-Oncology fellowship training program and continues to foster collaboration among a host of colleagues regionally, nationally, and throughout the world. He is the current president of the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS), a professional association whose primary goal is to eliminate cardiac disease as a barrier to effective cancer therapy.
Dr. Lenihan joined the Board of Directors of the Amyloidosis Foundation in 2018.
Adrienne Molteni
Director
Adrienne is currently a Registered Nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center located in Nashville, TN and works in the Infusion Center. She has been an RN for 25 years, primarily in Medical Oncology and has a personal business as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.
Her hobbies include horseback riding, traveling, scuba diving, hiking, playing tennis and golf. Adrienne is a Team Lead for an animal rescue/disaster response team in TN, the Wilson County Disaster Animal Response Team. She is married and has three sons and two grandchildren.
Adrienne joined the Board of Directors of the Amyloidosis Foundation in 2018.
Mark Sutherland
Director
Mark Sutherland is a Financial Advisor/ CFP, CRPC with LPL Financial in Southfield, Michigan. He helps his clients identify and plan all aspects of their financial needs – including investments, retirement planning, insurance, and taxes.
Mark attended Michigan State University, where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1979.
On campus, he played varsity baseball and helped lead his team to a Big Ten Championship his senior year. He was also an active member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity.
In 1983 he joined E.F Hutton and earned his securities license. Over the following 34 years of his career, he continued to expand his education by earning his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1997 and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) in 2013.
Mark has supported the Amyloidosis Foundation for many years, attending our annual golf outing events. He began working with AF President Mary O’Donnell and Treasurer Dante Burchi regarding investment recommendations for the foundation since 2015 and became a member of the Board of Directors in 2017.
Mark and his wife Carol have three children and enjoy family outings, golf, volunteering, and following MSU sports.
Lori Lawter
Director
Lori has a history of working with patients in the non-profit space as well as the pharmaceutical industry. She spent 8 years as a Senior Manager of Patient Services for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society based in Denver, CO. Lori learned about amyloidosis as well as other blood cancers and disorders through her work with LLS.
She later took a role with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals as a Senior Manager of Patient Advocacy and Engagement where she was able to stay connected with amyloidosis patients, families, and patient support resources.
Lori lives in Colorado with her husband and blue heeler/cattle dog. She has three grown children, and she enjoys travel, reading, golf, and exploring new restaurants in the area.
Stacey A. Goodman
Director
Stacey Goodman, MD completed her hematology training at the NIH and Vanderbilt University before joining the faculty in 1993. She cultivated her career initially in bone marrow stem cell transplants (SCT) and was a leader within the Vanderbilt/VA SCT program for over 30 years. Under her direction, over 2000 SCT were performed at the VA center and she was instrumental in developing the first VA CAR T program.
Her SCT background and expertise in plasma cell disorders helped her to initiate and lead the Vanderbilt Amyloidosis Multidisciplinary Program (VAMP) from its inception in 2011 thru 2021 when she retired. Her vision was for VAMP to became a reality, with the program caring for all forms of amyloidosis and participating in clinical trials to advance therapeutics.
Erskine "Kim" White, Ed. D.
Director
Erskine "Kim" White, Ed.D. completed his Doctorate at Tennessee State University and had a 27-year career in the classroom as a professor at the University of Nashville Tennessee, where he was also a contributing member of the USN Committee on Diversity and Community Life.
He has been an integral part of our support Community, speaking at support group meetings where he has shared his input from a patient's perspective. We look forward to working with him and are thrilled to have him join us!
- Annual Report
Annual Report
The Amyloidosis Foundation started in 2003 with a simple mission to support patients, and over the past two decades, it has grown into a global resource. In 2023, we proudly celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Our 2023 Annual Report provides comprehensive information on our financials, research grant program, fundraising events, donors, and more.
Discover how we are making a meaningful impact on the amyloidosis community, benefiting patients, researchers, physicians, and others. As we look to the future, we remain hopeful for a cure. Click below to explore each report.