The On-Air Advocate

As we turn our focus to National Nutrition Month, I am so excited, Rachael Stricker, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, real food lover. wife. mom. essential oil user. jesus follower. About Rachael : I am a mom to two teenage girls, a bonus 7 yr old boy, wife to a super cool husband, and a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP). And oh yeah, I am a self proclaimed really good cook. Good food just makes life better, doesn't it?! I am super passionate about where our food comes from, what is in our food, and how food affects our bodies both physically, mentally, and emotionally. Life is about balance and I want to walk alongside you as you find the balance that is right for you and your family and begin to think about food in a whole new way. I can't wait to live a life well nourished with you. Listen in as Rachael shares all about Nutritional Therapy & how food affects our bodies physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As we spotlight National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month , I am excited to welcome to the show, Stephen Estrada, Manager of Community Engagement at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. About Stephen: At 28, I was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome and inoperable, stage 4 colorectal cancer. After being told I had about a year left to live, I became an advocate for young-onset colorectal cancer. I also became an advocate for my health and my care. After 2 surgeries--one causing internal hemorrhaging during recovery that nearly killed me--chemotherapy, and a lot of research, I fired my care team and went elsewhere. This allowed me the opportunity to join a groundbreaking clinical trial with an experimental immunotherapy drug. I responded incredibly quickly to the drug and spent 5 years on the trial. After a year and a half on the drug, I was declared NED and have remained so, even after stopping treatment in November of 2019. I have been with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance for three and a half years, where it is an honor to help share the stories of patients and caregivers affected by this disease. Listen in as Stephen shares his personal journey, all about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance & how you can get involved this month. Let's make colorectal health a priority again through our "Get Checked" Screening Pledge.The Screening Pledge will connect you with resources and reminders to get screened for colorectal cancer. Take the Pledge! pledge.getscreened.org Resource: Colorectal Cancer Alliance #GetScreened #TakeThePledge #TomorrowCantWait #ColorectalCancerAwareness

As we wrap up our Alport Awareness Series & support National Kidney & Alport Syndrome Awareness Month, I am so excited to welcome to the show, Cassandra Smith ICU Nurse and Volunteer Patient Advocate, Alport Foundation.

Cassie Smith, a Kentucky native, is a registered nurse and mom to three young children. She was first diagnosed with Alport syndrome in late childhood. Two of her three children were diagnosed in early 2019. Both her professional and personal experiences make her passionate about patient advocacy. Cassie recently accepted the opportunity to Co-Chair the newly established Emerging Leadership Council for Alport Syndrome Foundation. In this role, she is volunteering with others to better address the unique needs of Alport patients in the 25-35 year old age range.

Listen in as Cassie shares her journey of rare disease from the perspective of patient, parent and nurse.

As we kick of our Alport Awareness Series & support National Kidney & Alport Syndrome Awareness Month, I am so excited to welcome to the show, Kevin Schnurr, Director of Communications, Alport Syndrome Foundation. Kevin began volunteering for Alport Syndrome Foundation in 2012 at age 26 after experiencing unexpected renal failure. After two years on dialysis, he received a living donor transplant from a close friend. Kevin's desire to help others in the rare disease community led to his position as ASF Social Media Specialist in 2014 and part-time Patient Outreach Coordinator in 2016. He has facilitated the Teen program at ASF Family Meetings, represented ASF at patient advocacy events and conferences, and co-moderates the ASF Facebook Support Group Page. In addition to his background in graphic design and experience in college administration, Kevin's perspective and communication skills as a patient bring great value to ASF. Listen in as Kevin shares his personal journey with Alport as well all about the Alport Syndrome Foundation and the amazing resources they offer.

As we continue our Marfan Awareness Series, I am so excited to welcome, Grace Meyers, Volunteer, The Marfan Foundation.

Grace Meyers, 17, is a senior at Plymouth High School in Michigan. She be attending Eastern Michigan University next year to pursue a career in child development. Grace, who is affected by Marfan syndrome, enjoys getting involved with The Marfan Foundation. In the past, she has served as a legislative advocate and attended the Foundation's Hill Day in Washington, DC, in February 2020. She is also a member of the Foundation's Teen Council. She enjoys going to the Foundation's annual conference every year because being able to meet other teens with the same rare condition as she has "is an amazing feeling." Grace says, "Marfan Syndrome is tough, but there is definitely a positive side to it with the community."

Listen in as Grace shares her personal journey with having a complex medical condition and why she feels embracing your diagnosis and connecting with others is so very important.

Learn More: www.marfan.org

As we continue our Heart of it All Series for American Heart Month, I am so excited to welcome, Kim Christenson & Veloris Brooks, Volunteers & Heart Attack Survivors, American Heart Association About Kim: Kim Christenson suffered a major heart attack in September 2016. She had just finished up a training session with her friend, when she started to feel a burning in her chest and unimaginable pain in her neck, jaw and back. As the pain continued to worsen, she began to recognize that something was wrong and called 911. This is where her perfect chain of survival began. Because Kim did not hesitate one more second with calling 911, the paramedics came when they did. Because the paramedics are part of the American Heart Association's Mission Lifeline program, they were able to use Kim's EKG reading to alert the hospital that they needed to prepare a Cath lab for her. Because that Cath lab was ready upon arrival, doctors were able to determine that Kim was suffering from what is known as a widow maker's heart attack: 100% blockage in the left descending artery and perform emergency surgery. Kim coded 6 times as doctors worked to place a stent in her artery, so she is forever grateful for the help and care that she received that day and for the perfect chain of survival that has given her the opportunity to share her story with other women and spread awareness about the prevalence of heart attacks in women. About Veloris : At age 40, Veloris Brooks was misdiagnosed for 5 months, traveling to the ER several times, with various symptoms. It was eventually discovered that her left artery was 90% blocked and the right was 50% blocked. She had to undergo a triple bypass surgery to repair her heart. Veloris has been an active volunteer with the American Heart Association for the last few years; she is extremely passionate about the AHA's community impact and health equity work and uses her story as a testament to the importance of women advocating for themselves and their health. Listen in as Kim & Veloris' share their personal heart journeys, why it's so important to advocate for your health & always listen to your body.

As we continue our Marfan Awareness Series, I am so excited to welcome Allison Pullins, Volunteer, The Marfan Foundation. Allison Pullins is a healthcare technology executive with 15 years of industry experience. She has guided and executed corporate strategy, and built teams across marketing, sales, product, and customer success. As COO of MD Ranger, Allison leads the operations of the company and charts its strategic vision. Allison serves as President of the Big City Parents Organization, which helps disadvantaged families access high-quality early childhood education in San Francisco, California. She is a member of the Strategic Development Committee of The Marfan Foundation, an organization that she volunteers for in many capacities. Allison lives in San Francisco, California, with her partner and their two children. Her oldest child James (age five) was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome when he was two years old. James lives with multiple heart conditions, including aortic aneurysm, low vision, and low muscle tone, among other disabilities. He is a bright, curious child who enjoys math, geography, Star Wars, and music (particularly grunge rock and hip hop). James inspires Allison to increase awareness for connective tissue conditions, advocate for the rights of disabled people, and fundraise for research to eventually cure these life threatening genetic conditions. Listen in as Allison shares her perspective and their journey with receiving the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome for their oldest son and the impact it has had on their family. Resource: The Marfan Foundation - www.marfan.org The On-Air Advocate - www.onairadvocate.com #MarfanSyndrome #MarfanAwareness

As we continue to drive awareness for National Cancer Prevention Month, I am so excited to welcome, Latarsha Ancrum, Breast Cancer Survivor. Listen in as Latarsha shares her personal journey with breast cancer and recently becoming a breast cancer survivor. Learn more about the OAA: www.onairadvocate.com #CancerPreventionMonth #BreastCancerAwareness

As we turn our focus to Cupid , I am excited to welcome back to the show, Tylia Flores, Author Radio show personality and Disability Activist. Tylia Flores is a 25-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia's goal in life is to share her stories with the world. In doing so, she hopes to help others with disabilities realize that they, too, have the potential to make their dreams come true. Listen in as Tylia shares her experiences navigating dating with a disability. Learn more about the On-Air Advocate at - www.onairadvocate.com

As we continue our Marfan Awareness Series, I am so excited to welcome, Maya Brown-Zimmerman, Advisor to The Marfan Foundation's Professional Advisory Board. Maya Brown-Zimmerman, of Ohio, is a stay-at-home mom to four kids with a variety of diagnoses including Marfan syndrome, autism, and a brain injury. She has a Masters in Public Health and is the patient adviser to The Marfan Foundation's Professional Advisory Board. Previously, she served 9 years on the Foundation's Board of Directors and helped run the Foundation's Teen Program for 10 years. In her spare time, May is involved in health care advocacy and is going back to school to become a genetic counselor. She is also an HGTV aficionado and has a blog at Musings of a Marfan Mom. Listen in as Maya shares the importance of Creating Connections in the Marfan Community. Resources: www.Marfan.org www.OnAirAdvocate.com