Community Voices

You are not alone. You are surrounded by an amazing, supportive, community of people who “get it.” They know what it is like to live with vasculitis—the treatment side effects, the anxiety of the unknowns, and the indescribable fatigue—but also, the joy in small victories, the increased resilience, and the appreciation for each new day.

2026 Nominations Now Closed!

Stay Tuned for Results

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary—four decades of transforming lives through patient support, education, and groundbreaking research—we invite you to honor the extraordinary individuals who have shaped the VF and vasculitis landscape.

This year, we’re looking back across all 40 years to recognize those whose contributions have made a lasting difference.

Who to nominate:

Patients and care partners who have courageously shared their stories to raise vasculitis awareness
Researchers/Fellows who have driven treatment breakthroughs that changed outcomes
Healthcare providers who have been instrumental in training the next generation of vasculitis specialists
Volunteers and advocates who have helped the Vasculitis Foundation grow its reach—nationally and globally—to support more patients and families.

Help us celebrate the heroes who have built this community over the past 40 years. Use the 2026 Community Heroes Form to nominate someone special.

Please Note: Each individual may only be nominated once.
The deadline to nominate your hero is Friday, February 20, 2026.

Meet Previous Community Heroes

We asked for patient and care partner hero nominations from the vasculitis community. Judges from outside the vasculitis community chose seven of the nominees to share their connections to the VF community and beyond. By sharing their stories, they help to increase awareness of vasculitis to those outside of the vasculitis community while providing hope and inspiration to all.

2025

The VF’s Community Heroes program uplifts people living with or loving someone with vasculitis. The 2025 heroes embody resilience, courage and determination. Additionally, many are champions in the vasculitis community. These stories are designed to raise vasculitis awareness around the globe.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdkJCdFFGTmdHSFlsVF9aeTMzWGpZYS41MzJCQjBCNDIyRkJDN0VD

Stacey Ivits-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdkJCdFFGTmdHSFlsVF9aeTMzWGpZYS4xMkVGQjNCMUM1N0RFNEUx

Mia McLean-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdkJCdFFGTmdHSFlsVF9aeTMzWGpZYS4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Madeline Moore-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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Erik Dodge-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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Beth Westbrook-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdkJCdFFGTmdHSFlsVF9aeTMzWGpZYS4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Autumn Righino-Vasculitis Community Hero 2025

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Abby and Morgan Reynolds-Vasculitis Community Heroes 2025

2024

The VF’s Community Heroes program uplifts people living with or loving someone with vasculitis. The 2024 heroes embody resilience, courage and determination. Additionally, many are champions in the vasculitis community. These stories are designed to raise vasculitis awareness around the globe.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdS11ZER2VEVIb2xkY0pYdnJoQmFpMS41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

Annaruth - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Brandi - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Daniel - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Geraldine and Joe Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Jasmine - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Lexey - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Maya - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdS11ZER2VEVIb2xkY0pYdnJoQmFpMS4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Nina - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Noelle - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Rachel - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Trena - Vasculitis Community Hero 2024

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Community Heroes 2024

2023

After a vasculitis diagnosis, it often feels like you are navigating the unknown. But that’s when people living with vasculitis tap into their superpowers of strength, hope, and resilience – and they get connected to the vasculitis community. Meet our 2023 Patient Hero winners. Their stories inspire hope and help others feel less alone.
Watch their stories: https://vasculitisfoundation.org/vf-patient-heroes-2023-links/

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

Aggelos Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS40NzZCMERDMjVEN0RFRThB

Ezra's Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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Ed's Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS5DQUNERDQ2NkIzRUQxNTY1

Litzcelis' Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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Kristen's Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS5GNjNDRDREMDQxOThCMDQ2

Lauren's Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS5EMEEwRUY5M0RDRTU3NDJC

Sherry's Story: Vasculitis Patient Hero 2023

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Doug's Story: Vasculitis Care Partner Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS45NDk1REZENzhEMzU5MDQz

Marie's Story: Vasculitis Care Partner Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

David's Story: Vasculitis Care Partner Hero 2023

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdDRYNzVfZ1JjOGlFNjBzNC1hMVQyRS41MzJCQjBCNDIyRkJDN0VD

Lawrence's Story: Vasculitis Care Partner Hero 2023

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Bob's Story: Vasculitis Care Partner Hero 2023

2022

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Spencer Ableman

Learn more about Spencer who is a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My41Mzk2QTAxMTkzNDk4MDhF

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Spencer Ableman

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Kai Austin
Learn more about Kai, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My45NDk1REZENzhEMzU5MDQz

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Kai Austin

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Dale Barker

Learn more about Dale, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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2022 VF Patient Heroes: Dale Barker

2022 VF Patient Heros: Kimberly Ann Boissonneault

Learn more about Kimberly who is a 2022 VF Patient Hero.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My40NzZCMERDMjVEN0RFRThB

2022 VF Patient Heros: Kimberly Ann Boissonneault

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Mitch Horowitz
Learn more about Mitch who is a 2022 VF Patient Hero.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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2022 VF Patient Heroes: Mitch Horowitz

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Brandon Hudgins
Learn more about Brandon, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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2022 VF Patient Heroes: Brandon Hudgins

VF 2022 Patient Heroes: Ann Marie Niziolek

Learn more about Ann Marie Niziolek, one of the VF's 2022 Patient Heroes.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5

VF 2022 Patient Heroes: Ann Marie Niziolek

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Sandy Nye

Learn more about Sandy who is a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My45ODRDNTg0QjA4NkFBNkQy

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Sandy Nye

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Abigail Quinn

Learn more about Abigail who is one of the VF's 2022 VF Patient Heroes.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

VF 2022 Patient Heroes: Abigail Quinn

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Dianne Shaw
Learn more about Dianne, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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2022 VF Patient Heroes: Dianne Shaw

2022 VF Patient Heroes: John Stadler
Learn more about John, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My5GNjNDRDREMDQxOThCMDQ2

2022 VF Patient Heroes: John Stadler

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Ed Becker
Learn more about Ed, a 2022 VF Patient Hero.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My41MzJCQjBCNDIyRkJDN0VD

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Ed Becker

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Shannon Morgan

Meet Shannon who is a 2022 VF Patient Hero.

Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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YouTube Video UExyNkJ3YXU2dVNtdFZTdzBkOEo0YjBKVE1aV1dvYjM5My4zMDg5MkQ5MEVDMEM1NTg2

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Shannon Morgan

2022 VF Patient Heroes: Jennifer Price (Hero to Patients)
Learn more about Jennifer, a 2022 VF Hero to Patients.
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis the road ahead may look scary, but that’s when our vasculitis patients draw on 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 incredibly inspiring.

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2022 VF Patient Heroes: Jennifer Price