Willie McLaughlin
Lived with HCM before receiving a heart transplant
Before his HCM diagnosis, Willie was an Olympic-caliber track and field athlete—a three-time NCAA All-American in the 400m and a three-time IC4A outdoor 400m champion. He competed in the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials and attended Manhattan College where he was later inducted into their Hall of Fame.
After two decades of living with HCM and ultimately being treated with a heart transplant, Willie became a steadfast advocate for HCM awareness. He wants to pay it forward and inspire others in the HCM community to learn from his experience.
Willie is proudest of being a true family man. Just ask his wife and caregiver Mary, and his four children, whom he never ceases to be proud of.
Read more +
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
International Track Star
Has not been diagnosed with HCM
Willie's daughter, Sydney, is an American gold-medal hurdler and sprinter. McLaughlin-Levrone went from track and field prodigy to three-time Olympian and four-time gold medalist—she is now considered one of the greatest female track-and-field athletes ever to grace the sport.
Sydney has also published her first book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith.
Though Sydney plans to get screened, she has not been diagnosed with HCM and does not live with HCM.
Sydney's Major Accomplishments
- Olympic Games Paris 2024 – gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women, 400m Hurdles - Women)
- 2022 World Championships – gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women, 400m Hurdles - Women)
- Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – gold (4 x 400m Relay - Women, 400m Hurdles - Women)
- World Record holder for the 400m hurdles: 50.37 seconds
Dr. Melissa Burroughs
Cardiologist who treats people with HCM
Dr. Burroughs is an expert in inherited cardiomyopathies and advanced echocardiography. With more than ten years of experience, she brings a holistic approach to the management of cardiovascular disease, applying the latest medical research to provide individualized, patient-centered care. Dr. Burroughs has a special interest in clinical research and clinical trials. She received her doctorate in Medicine from Harvard Medical School and trained in cardiology at Duke University Medical Center.
Read more +Meet June and Lisa, HCM patients with stories to tell
June C.
Currently living with HCM
June was diagnosed with HCM in March of 2018. What began as shortness of breath led to multiple tests over the course of three-plus years before her diagnosis was confirmed.
Having been an active hiker and downhill skier, June was concerned about her ability to remain active with her HCM. But she is adjusting well to a new health journey.
Now, June surrounds herself with her family and friends—and instead of sacrificing the activities that make her happy, she's planning in advance, knowing life needs to unfold at a slower pace.
June is now taking a whole-person approach to HCM management and wants to raise awareness of the disease and advocate for living fully with it.
Read more +
Lisa B.
Currently living with HCM
What was originally diagnosed as high blood pressure and asthma for Lisa eventually became an HCM diagnosis in 2023. After eight years of experiencing symptoms, a routine doctor's visit revealed a systolic murmur. An echocardiogram showed that Lisa, in fact, had HCM.
Although a practicing physician herself, Lisa was not very familiar with HCM at the time. This has since fueled her mission to educate others on the disease—especially primary care providers, so that HCM is considered part of the potential diagnoses when treatments fail to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath that may be misidentified prior to an HCM diagnosis.
HCM has had a whole-person impact on Lisa's life, but since starting treatment, she is back outdoors and staying active, whether biking, hiking, gardening, or keeping up with her two energetic dogs.
Read more +