Hello! My name is Heather Kunz and I’d like to introduce myself as your AlphaNet Coordinator.
I was born and raised in Utah and currently reside in Salt Lake City, but I have lived in many places over my lifetime including Wyoming and California. I’m married to my best friend and better half and am the proud mother of four beautiful children, three girls, and one boy as well as mom to our sweet rescue dog.
I was diagnosed as a ZZ Alpha in 2015, following many hospital admissions for bronchitis and pneumonia. After being admitted to the ICU and following the third hospitalization in 2014, they decided something wasn’t right and asked me to follow up with a pulmonologist. I was fortunate enough to have been seen by a pulmonologist who was very familiar with Alpha-1 and tested all his patients coming in for a first time pulmonary function test. From that test, and despite their doubts, I finally had an answer — I was diagnosed a ZZ Alpha. I started on augmentation therapy right away and my passion for awareness has continued from that time on. I was the first in my family to be diagnosed and have been paving the path for more family members to be tested.
I have worked in the Alpha-1 community since 2016 and enjoy interacting with other Alphas. I love the family feel and the support we all are to one another. I have loved participating in awareness opportunities around Utah and continue to advocate wherever I can.
I look forward to being your AlphaNet Coordinator and providing you with the resources you need on your Alpha-1 journey.