“Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disease
which can have devastating effects on its victims,” says Dr. Seth Baum, a
preventative cardiologist who specialized in FCS. “The creation of the
FCS Foundation will provide patients, caregivers, and healthcare
providers the opportunity to identify and support best treatments,
disseminate meaningful lifestyle management tools, and develop more
accurate diagnostic systems for individuals going forward.”

The FCS Foundation was established by Lindsey Sutton and Melissa
Goetz, two disease advocates directly impacted by FCS. In addition, The
FCS Foundation board of directors includes additional leaders from the
FCS patient community.

“I have spoken to so many people affected by FCS about the lack of
information and resources to support patients and to help clinicians
deliver the best quality care,” Sutton says. “Our mission with The FCS
Foundation is to make sure that all people have access to the
information and support they need to get a proper diagnosis and manage
FCS more effectively.”

FCS is a genetic condition that causes a buildup of fats in the blood
that can increase the risk of severe abdominal pain and potentially
fatal attacks of pancreatitis. It is also sometimes known as lipoprotein
lipase deficiency (LPLD), Fredrickson Type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia and
familial hypertriglyceridemia. There are currently no FDA approved
therapies for the treatment of FCS. Most patients take steps to reduce
their risk of pancreatitis through lifestyle modifications including
strictly limiting fat intake.

“Our mission with The FCS Foundation is to make sure that all people
have access to the information and support they need to get a proper
diagnosis and manage FCS more effectively.”

“I was overwhelmed when my daughter was diagnosed with FCS,” Goetz
says. “I found that many physicians were not familiar with the disease
and there were very limited resources available. Through The FCS
Foundation we want to expand the information and services available for
FCS families to help them take the right steps to protect their health
and to know that there is support available.”

Our Unmet Medical Needs

FCS occurs in about 1 in 1 million people and the genetic disorder
causes the body to not be able to break down certain fats correctly.
This disease frequently leads to symptoms such as pancreatitis — a very
serious condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas and can lead
to death – and fatty deposits in the skin.

A new study, led by professor of medicine Daniel Gaudet, MD, PhD, at
the University of Montreal has found that 67% of patients with FCS have
experienced acute pancreatitis (AP) that required a hospital visit.
Clinicians also reported that 6% of their patients died as a result of
their pancreatitis. The results indicate that FCS presents a significant
risk of severe and life threatening attacks of pancreatitis and early
death, even among patients who are in treatment to manage the
condition.