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Become a Heart Donor
My Journey with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy
About Me
I have a liberal studies degree from Penn State University. I am living in California and Georgia. I'm a 27-year survivor of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), public speaker, author, podcast host of "Cardiac Emergency for Pregnant Women" show.
I have Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) since 1992, I was given six months to live, had an ejection fraction (EF) of 3% and a B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) of 2500+. I had no idea what it was or why it was happening to me. It is still little to no information about what causes this deadly disease with no cure in sight. I had several heart-related setbacks. My heart has relapsed 15 times. Had a defibrillator implanted in 2010, a very silent heart attack in 2012, open heart surgery in 2013, 2019, and 2020, end-stage 4 heart failure, and LVAD surgically implanted in 2019. I received my new heart from Vanderbilt Transplant Hospital on March 1, 2020.
Eight years ago, I decided to create a podcast show called "Cardiac Emergency For Pregnant Women." A non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization call Fight Against Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Inc. A Facebook community called PPCM Fighters- and a website-Fight PPCM at to making pregnancy safe for every woman in the world, promote awareness and bring support to Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) survivors and families.
It is vital that women, pregnant or otherwise, can be armed with the right tools and experience so they can be aware of and reduce the rate of PPCM. Knowledge is power, and when you have all of the facts, you can become an activist, advocate, and educator to spread the word about PPCM and inspire others to make heart health a No.1 priority.
Now you know why the fight against Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy is so important to me.
"Save a heart...Save a life."
To save lives by removing financial barriers that delay or prevent heart transplantation and to find a cure for pregnancy-related heart failure known as Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM).
An estimated 150,000+ Americans have advanced heart failure. When standard medical therapy is no longer sufficient, and a heart transplant is not available. Implantable heart pumps (LVAD) often are the only other option for offering patients with end-stage four heart failure, a new treatment that will give them a new lease on life.
An LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, is a mechanical device that helps the heart pump blood from the left ventricle throughout your body. With both internal and external components, the LVAD has been shown to reduce heart failure symptoms, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, and increased the quality of life. In other words, it keeps the person alive and acts as a bridge towards a heart transplant.
Too many women in the United States have either Peripartum or Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Many are faced with stage 4 heart failure leaving them in need of a heart transplant, left ventricular assist device (LVAD/heart pump), or even death. Hundreds of women a day die from pregnancy-related heart failure, also known as Peripartum or Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), and hundreds of people die from spending years waiting for a heart transplant.
No Cash, No Heart. Period. Transplant centers need to know-how you will pay. Many women are denied a heart transplant because of insufficient insurance, or they couldn’t afford the anti-rejection drugs. They are required to place between $5,000 to $20,000 into an exclusive fund account to cover additional transplant expenses like anti-rejection drugs. These drugs are necessary for life.
What happens if they cannot acquire the funds through family members, churches, or a GoFundMe account? The answer is that they will probably not receive a new heart and not placed on the heart transplant list. Their chances of survival are very slim.
Because many women do not have the required funds, nor will their insurance cover the cost, donating will allow 100 % of your donation to go towards getting them the necessary anti-rejection drugs, heart transplant, and keeping them alive.
Did You Know?
Cardiac Emergency For Pregnant Women
Podcast Episodes
Please click icon to listen.
Podcast Guest Reviews
Mary James, MD
"I was very impressed with Anner. Her continue determination in bringing forth awareness of PPCM is unstoppable".
Debra Bingham, DrPH, RN, FAAN
"I enjoyed working with Anner. I am always happy to help spread information that will help save women's lives"!
Lili A. Barouch, MD
"I found Anner easy to work with and the podcast went smoothly". Thanks!
Angela Williams RN, DrPH
"Anner was a pleasure to work with. Her expert knowledge on PPCM was outstanding".
Sentor Karen Keiser
"Will leave review later today as soon as I can".
James Fett, MD
Anner, "thank you for all the work you are doing to promote an understanding of PPCM".
Reporter Adriana Gallardo from Pro Publica brings to light the issues on Black Women Disproportionately Suffer Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth. Let’s Talk About It.
About 700 to 900 women die each year from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And for every death, dozens of women suffer life-threatening complications. Anner Porter discusses her life-threatening complications with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy.
Survivor's Speaking Panel on Postpartum Cardiomyopathy and Preeclampsia
Anner Porter shares her story on Postpartum Cardiomyopathy at The Promoting the Health of Women and Newborn Conference - The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Care Conference in Napa California.
As a survivor that waged a long war against this condition, it is important for me to educate every woman in the world about Peripartum and Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Very excited to receive this award. I will continue to fight until there is a cure for this deadly disease that only attack pregnant women.