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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 2022 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.

View our 2021 Patient Heroes[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1647897061948{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #7f2985 !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1647897249258{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;}”]

Patient Hero Stories: The Top 11

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1647897263109{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1647897392200{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]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.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Ableman”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/dihb2cJMq7Y”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

2022 VF PATIENT HERO

Spencer Ableman

Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) • 2021

“For every dark night, there’s a brighter day.”

— Tupac Shakur[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Agathis”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

 

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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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Austin”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/HEW8JzPbj1M”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

2022 VF PATIENT HERO

Kai Austin

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2016

“Your best is yet to come.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Barker”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/7qcOBN648mg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

2022 VF PATIENT HERO

Dale Barker

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) • 2019

“Just do the next thing that’s put before you.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Boissonneault”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/ejgGlq36oCc”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Horowitz”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/o1U33zuJFqg”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

2022 VF PATIENT HERO

Mitchell Horowitz

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) • 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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Hudgins”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/EEIvOq1UBds”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Niziolek”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/D2SXuiJAch4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Nye”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/051bHU7W-14″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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

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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”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Stadler” css=”.vc_custom_1651104374122{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/XQ4sF0qiV1E”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1651104280257{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #f15a29 !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1651104329887{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;}”]

Hero to Patient Stories

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2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT

Introduction

Joyce Kullman • Executive Director

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2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT

Ed Becker

VF Media Producer • 2002 – Present

“Friend and champion to patients around the world.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Morgan”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/S__tXY-4_5s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

2022 VF HERO TO PATIENT

Shannon Morgan

VF Patient Support Coordinator • 2002 – Present

“Compassionate and caring. Always willing to help anyone, anytime.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Price”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/jdDLYh6D_P4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”Shaw”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/C2VysR6P6_s”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

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!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″ accent_color=”#999999″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1647898967112{margin-top: 25px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-color: #f15a29 !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1647897641477{margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;}”]

Patient Hero Stories: Honorable Mention

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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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Darlene Almeida

Takayasu’s Arteritis – 2019

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Isabel Ramirez-Bolaños

Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) – 2020

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Jessica Alana Cohen

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – 2001

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Marissa Garrett

Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) – 2021

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No photo available

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Clea Harzigeorgiou

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), ANCA+ – 2018

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Donald Houghton

Polyarteritis Nodosa – 2003

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No photo available

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Victoria Lueddeke

Cutaneous Polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) – 2010

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Kylie Miller

Takayasu Arteritis – 2020

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Ivan Petrov

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – 2005

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Muhammad Umar

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) – 2021

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Thank you to our Patient Heroes sponsors!

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