Anne Mason on CHD Innovation

Behind every breakthrough at HeartWorks is a community of supporters who believe in a different future for congenital heart disease (CHD.) A future driven by innovation, urgency, and the possibility of new solutions.

Anne Mason, a Senior Hardware Design Engineer based in California and member of the HeartWorks Leadership Council, is one of those supporters.

Her connection to HeartWorks began long before the organization was founded and continues to grow today.

A Connection Rooted in Innovation

Anne first met HeartWorks co-founder Tim Nelson at a Mayo Clinic Legacy event in California in 2012. Drawn to his research and long-term vision, she stayed connected as his work evolved.

“When I met Dr. Tim, I was instantly fascinated with his research and his mission,” Anne shares. “I stayed in touch with him well before he founded HeartWorks.”

Years later, in 2022, Anne made her first gift to support the organization.

Investing in a Different Future for CHD

For Anne, supporting HeartWorks is about more than philanthropy. It’s about investing in a bold vision for what medicine could become.

“I started donating to HeartWorks because I believe in Tim’s vision and his ability to accomplish his goals,” she says. “No one else is doing what Tim is doing. He has shown so much leadership courage in addition to his scientific brilliance.”

HeartWorks is focused on advancing new approaches to congenital heart disease, including regenerative medicine and patient-specific therapies that aim to strengthen the heart and expand treatment options.

The Promise of Regenerative Medicine

Anne is especially inspired by the potential of stem cell science and its future applications.

“I hope that someday the work that HeartWorks is doing will expand to accomplish all sorts of autologous tissue creation from stem cells,” she says. “I can see a time when you can create any of the organs for any patients who need them.”

This vision reflects a broader shift happening in medicine, one that moves beyond managing disease toward exploring how the body might be repaired or strengthened using its own cells.

Learn more about autologous stem cells here.

Why Doing Your Research Matters

Anne encourages others who are considering supporting congenital heart disease research to take the time to learn more.

“I encourage anyone thinking about making a gift to investigate HeartWorks and read everything you can about this space,” she says. “You will find that HeartWorks is uniquely positioned to push this technology and medicine forward.”

She also highlights the accessibility and transparency of HeartWorks leadership.

“Set up a meeting with Dr. Tim and speak with him about any of your questions. Not many CEOs make themselves so available.”

Looking Ahead

Anne’s support for HeartWorks is ongoing and growing.

“I plan to do more to support HeartWorks in the future,” she says. “I hope more donors will find out about HeartWorks and help us fund this critical science and technology.”

Supporting What’s Next

At HeartWorks, progress is powered not only by science, but by the people who believe in what’s possible.

Donors like Anne play an important role in advancing research, accelerating innovation, and helping move congenital heart disease toward a future with more options and better outcomes.

Because building the future of heart care takes more than breakthroughs, it takes a community committed to making them happen.