Shelby's Story: Turning Family Heartache into Hope
Shelby has always been a person who values family, community, and helping others. As a retired high school chemistry and physics teacher, she spent her career guiding young minds, but her dedication to teaching and caring extends far beyond the classroom.
Shelby grew up in a small rural farming community, and when it came time to raise her own family, she knew exactly where she wanted to be: close to her roots. “That is something that we wanted for our own children,” she says, reflecting on the decision to raise her kids in Bluffton, Ohio, the same type of community where she had grown up.
But beneath her everyday routines, there’s an awareness of the health challenges that have affected her family over the years. “My father had a heart attack at the age of 47,” Shelby recalls. “I have three adult children. I hope that by the time they have kids, we have made a lot of progress on heart issues.”
Growing up with a family history of serious health conditions, Shelby became vigilant about her own health. She knew she had a higher chance of facing similar health problems, particularly heart disease.
When Shelby found Care Access, she saw an opportunity to take action. “When Care Access came to our little rural part of the world, I went and signed up for the heart study that I am part of,” she shares. “I probably would not have participated if I had to drive an hour,” she adds. The fact that the study was so close to home made it easier for her to get involved and play a part in advancing heart research.
As someone who has seen the effects of heart disease firsthand, Shelby felt compelled to be part of the solution. The heart study focused on Lp(a), a type of cholesterol that, unlike LDL and HDL, is genetically determined and unaffected by lifestyle changes. “Someone could have a very healthy, active lifestyle, and it still would not decrease their Lp(a),” explains Devan, a clinical research professional on Shelby’s care team.
Though no medication has been proven to lower Lp(a), the research study holds the potential to change that. “I’m seeing people before they get to the point where they are having an acute heart attack,” says Tiffany Comerie, PA-C, a research investigator on the study. “The ultimate goal is to finally have a drug on the market to prevent them from getting to that point.”
The process of participating in the study has been a positive experience for Shelby. She feels supported by the team at Care Access, who take the time to thoroughly explain each step of the process. “They always explain what is happening very well, which makes me feel more comfortable,” Shelby says, expressing her appreciation for the team’s clear communication and caring approach.
For Shelby, participating in the clinical trial wasn’t just about improving her own health—it was about taking an active role in protecting her children and grandchildren from the health issues that have affected her family across generations. “Being able to help in a real concrete way that may benefit my own children, because they are inheriting these same issues, makes me proud to be able to help.”