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FRAMINGHAM — Like many people in the city, Judy Daubney’s involvement in the Framingham Heart Study is a family affair.
Daubney grew up in Framingham and is a third-generation participant. Her grandmother, Rose Giacomuzzi, was among the study’s first cohort of men and women. The Framingham Heart Study is the longest of its kind in the nation, tracking generations of Framingham families, starting with the 5,209 men and women who enlisted in 1948 and continuing through their children and grandchildren.
Daubney, who now lives in Upton, sat inside Nevins Hall filled with researchers, elected officials and participants to celebrate the study’s 75th anniversary. It actually celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, but Monday’s event officially marked the milestone.
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Daubney’s father became a participant in the 1970s, and Daubney joined in 2002.
“Unfortunately, my father’s older brother died of a severe heart attack in 1969, so at that point it became personal to us,” Daubney told the Daily News after Monday’s event. “I was a teenager, and I think that’s when I really started to understand the big picture of everything.”
Although the Framingham Heart Study is personal to Daubney, she said it’s important for everyone to participate.
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“We want to come and test,” she said. “It’s clear that it’s a global thing, as we learned today. All the information they learned from it became a global thing that helps everyone. And I think that I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Boston University has led this research effort since 1971. Dr. Joan Murabito, principal investigator and research center director of the Framingham Heart Study, said the study’s research led to several other medical discoveries.
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“It’s exciting because by understanding the factors that increase risk, we can study many health-related diseases beyond heart disease, such as dementia, bone health, and diabetes,” Murabito said. “It’s exciting to know we’re having such an impact.”
Monday’s event included remarks from elected officials and medical professionals and focused on thanking study participants. There was also a tribute to the last surviving original member, Agnes DeCenzo, who passed away on September 25 at the age of 105.
DeCenzo, who spent his final years at Waterview Lodge Rehabilitation and Health Care in Ashland, was 30 years old when he became part of the study’s first cohort in 1948.
Heart Study is a community effort to advance the medical field
Stakeholders in the medical and political fields praised the community for coming together to advance the medical field.
In her remarks, U.S. Representative Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) praised the Framingham Heart Study’s contributions to medical research.
“You are part of an important contribution to health care, not just for Framingham, not just for our country, but for all people,” she said. “You have the rare ability to make a truly global impact.
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Clark’s remarks were briefly interrupted by a man calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“As the gentleman said earlier, you are a testament to our ability to do good and build community in the midst of so much brutality and heartache around the world, and the mission you have undertaken. There may be nothing more awe-inspiring than this,” the lawmaker said. He said that without hesitation. “We’re building the key to a longer life, a healthier life, a better life. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone.”
State Senate President Karen Spilka said the study is personal to her because her father died in his 50s from a severe heart attack.
“When you hear the risk factors, I don’t want to say too much, but he probably checked off almost every risk factor at that point,” said Spilka, an Ashland Democrat. “The people of Framingham stood up, stood up and kept showing up. Not everyone realizes how much of a generational thing this is, but not only is it a generational thing. Each succeeding generation agrees and is committed to returning for the day that will test their strength.” Not many people would do that. ”
“People say it takes a village to do something important, but in this case, it takes a small city to do something that has this kind of impact,” said BU Medical Campus Dean Karen. Mr. Ant-Man said.
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