Announcing the 2023 Patient & Care Partner 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 2023 Patient & Care Partner Heroes project.
Earlier this year, we asked for patient & care partner 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 8 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.
Patient Hero Stories: The Top 9
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.
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Aggelos Ahuja
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2020
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.”
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Ezra Alvarez
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2020
“When you know you’re rare, you move different, and you don’t waste your rarity trying to convince anyone of it, you just keep on being rare until someone realizes it and won’t treat you like anything less than what you are, which is rare.”
— B. McCoy
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Edward Buckley
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2012
“Wake up every day with the desire to give back. It will prolong your life and improve the lives of others.”
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Litzcelis Coreano
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)• 2019
“No hay oportunidad de rendirse, cada paso que damos es un logro y cada momento difícil nos enseña lo fuerte que somos. Vive, ama que esto es solo una prueba que nos dio la vida.”
— Litzcelis Coreano
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Kristin Hultgren
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2017
“Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.”
— Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Lauren Orwoll
Takayasu’s Arteritis • 2016
“Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
— Lauren Orwoll
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Sherry Soon
Livedoid vasculitis • 2000
“As a patient with vasculitis, I’ve never let my illness define me. I choose to live life purposefully and make each moment count.”
— Sherry Soon
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2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Sha Ulshafer
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) • 2021
“When you face difficult times know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.”
— Sha Ulshafer
2023 VF PATIENT HERO
Ashley Vanderpan
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2016
“As someone who has faced a difficult diagnosis, I know firsthand the power of resilience and determination. I am living proof that with a positive mindset and unwavering perseverance, I can accomplish any goal I set out to achieve.”
— Ashley Vanderpan
Care Partner Stories
2023 VF CARE PARTNER
Douglas Ducat
Nominated by Wife
“Patience and a positive attitude can carry you through a tough time.”
— Doug Ducat
2023 VF CARE PARTNER
Marie Horowitz
Nominated by Husband
“My mantra: Brave, calm, strong, and optimistic.”
— Marie Horowitz
2023 VF CARE PARTNER
David Howe
Nominated by Wife
“Live every day to support your partner suffering with vasculitis as they did not choose this.”
— David Howe
2023 VF CARE PARTNER
Lawrence May
Nominated by Wife
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
2023 VF CARE PARTNER
Bob Nye
Nominated by Wife
“Being a care partner is all about love! Vasculitis changed many of our plans and made life much more complex. Love led me to be a more supportive care partner to my wife.”
— Bob Nye
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.
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PATIENT HERO
Eric John De Roxas
IgA vasculitis – 2020
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PATIENT HERO
Kristen Dill
GPA – 1987
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PATIENT HERO
Lynn Giddens
Behçet’s – 2011
PATIENT HERO
Mike Mannino
GPA – 1998
PATIENT HERO
Chrissi Moore
GPA – 2012
PATIENT HERO
Theodora Psitos
Takayasu’s Arteritis – 2018
PATIENT HERO
Carol Rice
Vasculitis – 2020
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PATIENT HERO
Laura Riggins
GPA – 2021
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PATIENT HERO
Ana Rivera
V Churg-Strauss – 2016
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PATIENT HERO
Tracey Seltzer
MPA, ANCA – 2021
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PATIENT HERO
John Soria
GPA and C3GN – 2020
CARE PARTNER
Steve Alexander
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CARE PARTNER
Riley Bloink
CARE PARTNER
Debbie Campbell
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CARE PARTNER
Julie Dahl
CARE PARTNER
Barb Houghton
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CARE PARTNER
Tekawitha M. Iese
CARE PARTNER
Edward W. Lohr
CARE PARTNER
Anita Matson
CARE PARTNER
Mark Moore
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CARE PARTNER
Steve Ruth
Thank you to our Patient Heroes sponsors!
