Barbara and William Rafaill

Drs. Barbara and William Rafaill are no strangers to the effects of heart disease or heart-related complications.

Bill had a heart attack in 1998 due to a near total blockage of his left anterior descending artery. He never had chest pain, one of the most common symptoms of a blockage. By the time he had a catheterization, his heart was already damaged.

“In the 90’s, they didn’t recognize back pain as a symptom of a heart attack,” he said. “I am grateful for the medical advances over the last decade and the work of the American Heart Association.”

Barb was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery when she was 9 years old. They couldn’t repair her mitral valve at the time, but years later she underwent successful replacement surgery.

“I am hoping for a future that provides better targeting drugs without side effects and more cardiovascular research and education,” Barb said.

The Rafaills are members of the Paul Dudley White Legacy Society, having included the association in their estate plans. In 2017, they became members of the Cor Vitae Society. Wanting to give back to their Michigan community, they funded a gift for 22 CPR in Schools kits after Michigan’s CPR in Schools Act was signed into law in December 2016.

“We hope that everyone will join us to fund this important initiative,” Barb said. “We are confident we can get there one gift at a time.”

Winter 2017