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Announcing Our 2022 VF Patient Heroes
Announcing the 2022 Patient Heroes
Ordinary people can become extraordinary in their journey through life — and this has never been truer than it is today. Look around and you’ll see that there are everyday heroes living among us. That’s why this Vasculitis Awareness Month, the VF will be highlighting a few of the many everyday heroes from our vasculitis community during our first-ever Patient Heroes project.
Earlier this year, we asked for patient hero nominations from the vasculitis community and we were overwhelmed with the number of people whose names were submitted. Judges from outside the vasculitis community chose 11 of the nominees’ personal stories that will be told through collectible baseball-type trading cards that will be used to increase awareness throughout the greater vasculitis community.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis, the road ahead may look scary. But that’s when our patients with vasculitis tap into their superpowers of strength, hope and resilience. Here are a few of the many stories from our everyday heroes whose positive attitude and determination to fight back against the disease is extraordinarily inspiring.
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Spencer Ableman
Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) • 2021
“For every dark night, there’s a brighter day.”
— Tupac Shakur
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Michael Agathis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2013
“Strength comes from true belief and faith in God and the strength to live from my wife and daughters.”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Dale Barker
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) • 2019
“Just do the next thing that’s put before you.”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Kai Austin
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2016
“Your best is yet to come.”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Kimberly Boissonneault
Behcet’s Disease • 2020
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on-it is going on when you don’t have the strength.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Mitchell Horowitz
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2021
“You gather the best information you can, then make the best decision you can, based on that information. Then don’t look back, you can’t change anything.”
— Mitch Horowitz
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Brandon Hudgins
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2008
“The only true form of help is self help. You have to be willing to do the work to get help. If you don’t make that decision you’ll never get the help you need.”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Ann Marie Niziolek
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2015
“God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow or sunshine without rain. But He did promise strength for the day and light for the way.”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Sandy Nye
Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) • 2014
- Be positive
- Advocate for your care
- Connect with other Vasculitis patients
- Practice Mindfulness
- Laugh
- Ask questions
- Keep a medical journal
- Remember your medication
- Join and/or donate to the Vasculitis Foundation
- Smile
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
Abigail Quinn
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2021
“I put my armor on, show you how strong how I am
I put my armor on, I’ll show you that I am
I’m unstoppable”
— Sia in the song “Unstoppable”
2022 VF PATIENT HERO
John Stadler
Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) • 2017
“In 2017 I was diagnosed with MPA that would change my life forever. While my life changed, I learned over time to adapt and adjust to my new reality learning how to live with and thrive with Vasculitis.”
Hero to Patient Stories
2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT
Introduction
Joyce Kullman • Executive Director
2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT
Ed Becker
VF Media Producer • 2002 – Present
“Friend and champion to patients around the world.”
2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT
Shannon Morgan
VF Patient Support Coordinator • 2002 – Present
“Compassionate and caring. Always willing to help anyone, anytime.”
2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT
Jennifer Price
VF Financial Coordinator • 2006 – Present
“Over the last 16 years, Jennifer has shown a high level of integrity, a keen attention to detail, and a commitment to the accuracy of the organization’s finances which have helped the organization achieve its mission efficiently and effectively.”
2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT
Dianne Shaw
Past VPPRN Co-Principal Investigator
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 1995
“A human dynamo constantly working to advance research and improve patients’ lives. Also, the best joke teller ever!”
Patient Hero Stories: Honorable Mention
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes — some don’t even wear capes at all — but what they all have in common is a certain bravery and willingness to help others. Their end-goal is not just to overcome their disease but to make a difference in their community. This type of thinking is what gives people hope. Join us in celebrating all of the heroes in our lives.
Darlene Almeida
Takayasu’s Arteritis – 2019
Isabel Ramirez-Bolaños
Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) – 2020
Jessica Alana Cohen
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – 2001
No Photo Available
Marissa Garrett
Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) – 2021
Clea Harzigeorgiou
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), ANCA+ – 2018
No Photo Available
Donald Houghton
Polyarteritis Nodosa – 2003
Victoria Lueddeke
Cutaneous Polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) – 2010
No Photo Available
Kylie Miller
Takayasu Arteritis – 2020
Kylie Miller
Takayasu Arteritis – 2020
Muhammad Umar
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – 2021
