The On-Air Advocate

As we turn our focus to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and World Pancreatic Cancer Day (11/19), I am so excited to welcome to the show, Steve Lipshetz Communications Chair - Milwaukee Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network & Barbara Poepping , Mission Chair for the Pancreatic Cancer action Network, Milwaukee affiliate and 8 year pancreatic cancer survivor. About Steve : Steve started volunteering with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in January 2011 as the Communications Chair after my wife's mother and one of her sisters died of pancreatic cancer within 6 months of each other in 2010. Has participated in PanCAN's Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC to raise awareness and lobby for funding from Congress. Lived most of my life in NY area and moved to Wisconsin 14 years ago. Lives in Mukwonago with wife, Jeanne, and has 3 sons and 4 grandchildren. About Barbara: I am an 8 year pancreatic cancer survivor. I had a sister who passed from Pancreatic Cancer 14 yrs ago and also 2 first cousins and my step-mother passed from pancreatic cancer. Listen in as Steve & Barbara share current Pancreatic Cancer statistics, updates on research, the mission of the PanCAN organization & how you can help wage hope by getting involved with All the amazing events during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, World Pancreatic Cancer Day (11/19) & PurpleLight Milwaukee (11/18). #PancreaticCancer #PancreaticCancerAwarenessMonth #WorldPancreaticCancerAwarenessDay #WageHope

As we continue to support and drive awareness for World Sanfilippo Awareness Day, I am so excited to welcome to the show, Dr. Cara O'Neill, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder of Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. Dr. Cara O'Neill completed her medical education at West Virginia University School of Medicine and subsequently her Pediatric Residency training at the University of South Carolina. She has worked both in private practice and academic settings. During her tenure as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of South Carolina, she practiced in a clinic specific to children with special healthcare needs. These uniquely-paired career and life experiences allow her to bridge gaps between scientists, clinicians, industry, and families, helping foster patient-centered research and translational paths forward for rare disease treatments.She and her husband founded Cure Sanfilippo Foundation after receiving her daughter's diagnosis in 2013. Since then, they have spread awareness around the globe about Sanfilippo Syndrome via talk shows, news media, online platforms, and international newspapers. As Chief Science Officer, Cara leads the Foundation's patient-focused research efforts and has presented at international conferences and authored peer-reviewed journal articles. In addition, she collaborates with other non-profit groups on mutual advocacy and research interests, as well as oversees the foundation's funding of external scientific programs.Cara was awarded the international 2020 Patient Advocacy Leader Award by WorldSymposium for her exceptional thought leadership and contributions. Glenn and Cara were awarded the Portraits of Courage Honor by the National Organization of Rare Disorders in 2015, as well as a Tribute to Champions of Hope finalist for Global Genes. In 2017, they received the South Carolina Child Advocate Award from the SC American Academy of Pediatrics. Listen in as Dr. O'Neill shares their family's personal journey with Sanfilippo Syndrome, key signs parents should watch for, the Mission of the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation and how you can get involved and help spread awareness. #WorldSanfilippoAwarenessDay #CureSanfilippo #Sanfilippo #ACureCantWait

As we celebrate World Kindness Day I am so excited to welcome, Macy Gilson, M.S. CCC-SLP. Macy is a speech language pathologist, disability advocate and children's author. While working with children with a multitude of diagnoses, she has cultivated a passion for not only treating their impairments, but sharing their stories. Her goal is to continue spreading awareness and celebrating diversity through her words and her writing.Macy's debut children's book, Kindness is Golden, was published in July 2020. Macy hopes for this to become the first in a series of inclusive children's books to help parents and educators talk to their children about those with disabilities. Macy is also the owner of Macy Gilson Co., an online shop featuring custom gifts for family and friends of the disability community. The mission of Macy Gilson Co. is to continue to support families with children with disabilities, to spread awareness and inclusion, and most of all, to remind others of the importance of kindness. Listen in as Macy shares the mission of Macy Gilson Co. and all about her new children's book, Kindness is Golden - Come help us throw around buckets of kindness everywhere

As we kick off our month long series on Care for the Caregiver during National Family Caregivers Month, I am so excited to welcome Nicole Dauz Self-Care Expert. Nicole Dauz is a self-care coach and advocate who has committed to choosing happiness despite her circumstances. She's also the proud mother of a neurotypical son and a daughter with a rare genetic disease and autism. Her mission is to change the story around caregiving and celebrate the journey. She honours the role of the caregiver by helping them recognize their worth and their true gifts. As a self-care coach, she works with family caregivers who feel overwhelmed and at the end of their rope. She understands how caregivers are feeling as she spent the first five years of her caregiving journey in complete denial of all emotions as she was in shock that her daughter had an intellectual disability and would need weekly therapy to learn how to walk, feed and dress herself. Nicole's clients come to her because they feel stressed to the max. She provides them the tools and strategies needed to shift them from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to regaining control of their lives and feeling gratitude and joy in their lives. Listen in as Nicole explores with us the importance of self-care for caregivers and why so many caregivers don't believe they're worthy.

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2020 Last night I invited a few AMAZING CP Warriors & Advocates to the show.Some Facts About CP : - There are 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy (CP). - Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with CP. - It is the most common physical disability in childhood. - CP is a permanent disability that affects movement. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement. - It is a complex disability: 1 in 4 children with CP cannot talk 1 in 4 cannot walk 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability 1 in 4 have epilepsy. CP is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure. Listen In & Learn More! #MakeYourMark #CerebralPalsy #WorldCPDay2020 #CerebralPalsyAwareness

As we spotlight Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I am so excited to welcome , Jessica Cook, Vice President of Patient and Family Services and Lori Millner, VP of Marketing at The National Children's Cancer Society. Ms. Cook joined The National Children's Cancer Society in May, 2000. In her capacity as Vice President, Ms. Cook oversees all programs and services benefitting children with cancer and their families in the United States. Her responsibilities include development, management, and evaluation of all program services, strategic planning, staff supervision, budgeting, grant writing and outreach. Ms. Cook has been an integral part of the department evolution from providing financial assistance to families confronted by childhood cancer, to incorporating all aspects of patient advocacy, education, emotional support, and survivorship for those diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Lori Millner spent the majority of her career working in an ad agency business followed by having her own consulting practice. After doing that for more than five years, Lori decided she wanted to contribute her expertise to something more meaningful and looked for an opportunity in nonprofit. She discovered that The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) was looking for its first director of marketing and she submitted her resume. Lori was hired and subsequently promoted to its first VP of marketing. Ten and a half years later she still is reaping great satisfaction from working with such an important organization. The Mission of the NCCS- The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) provides emotional, financial and educational support to children with cancer, their families and survivors. Listen in as Jessica and Lori share all about the history of the NCCS, current program services that they offer and how you can join them in spreading awareness, giving support and making a huge impact on Childhood Cancer. Resource: The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS) #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth #gogold

As we spotlight Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I am so excited to welcome, Christina Gonzalez, Advocate & Founder Go Gold For Childhood Cancer. Christina advocates for children with cancer. She is a passionate advocate due to her own experiences and life long illnesses. Christina was 11 months old when her journey with chronic pain began. While she was advocating and making sure childhood illnesses were not over looked, she discovered childhood cancer. Christina was heartbroken by the lack of funding and knew she had to be a voice for these children. In March of 2014, GoGoldForChildhoodCancer was formed. Christina and her friend ran the page until together till 2017, then Christina took it over solo. Christina personally understands how incredibly hard this journey can be and continues to be an amazing advocate and voice for others. Listen in as Christina shares with us her personal journey with chronic illness and more about the mission & impact that Go Gold For Childhood Cancer has been able to provide. Plus, how you can support and help spread the word about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month #GoGold #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #GoGoldThisSeptember

September Let's Chat w/ Sabrina Thomas - Special Needs Empowerment Coach