decorative shape
patient advocacy strategies icon
Blog Posts

Category: Rare Disease

Why Newborn Screening Matters - The Difference Between a Diagnosis and a Future

Why Newborn Screening Matters – The Difference Between a Diagnosis and a Future

Learn why newborn screening is one of the most important public health tools for rare disease diagnosis, early intervention, health equity, and improved patient outcomes....
Published August 21, 2026
Why Rare Disease Recruitment Requires a Community-First Approach

Why Rare Disease Recruitment Requires a Community-First Approach

Rare Disease Recruitment Is Not a Volume Problem Many clinical trial recruitment strategies are built around reach. More awareness. More advertising. More referrals. More outreach. In common disease states, increasing...

Published July 15, 2026
A young man who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy sits in a wheel chair. He is wearing blue pants and a blue t-shirt.

Living with a Rare Disease: When Injuries Occur

Living with a rare disease is a challenge. Experiencing a life changing injury is a challenge. Experiencing both was life-altering. When One Diagnosis Becomes Two Life-Changing Challenges I was walking...

Published June 11, 2026
A young man sitting in a wheel chair. He is wearing a black t-shirt that reads "You break it, you own it."

A Plea for Safe and Accessible Air Travel 

Living with Duchenne and the Importance of Clinical Trials I am 24 years old, living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and advocating for accessible air travel. Duchenne is a muscle-wasting disease...

Published May 22, 2026
it doesn't have to be this way: paving the potholes in advocacy

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

Paving the Potholes in Advocacy We’ve all been there. You’re navigating a complex system—whether it’s healthcare, education, or government—and you hit a wall. You find yourself asking: That frustration is...

Published April 6, 2026
Cover of the book A Brighter Blueprint

Announcing A Brighter Blueprint 

I Wrote a Book.  Actually, I have now written two—a fact that still surprises me daily.  If you had told me twelve years ago that I would be an author,...

Published February 24, 2026
Navigating Independence while Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Navigating Independence while Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Independence Shapes Everyday Life Independence is not a luxury – It’s a necessity, and it’s extremely important to me. For me, independence means being able to do things with little to no help from...

Published February 18, 2026
A man and woman pose with their baby in front of a beach. The sun is setting in the background

Recognizing Rare Disease Month Through Newborn Screening Advocacy

A Rare Diagnosis My husband and I both agree that Friday, February 13, 2015, was the worst day of our lives.  We had endured a six-week diagnostic odyssey for our...

Published February 18, 2026
4 Patient Engagement Mistakes That Sabotage Clinical Trial Recruitment

4 Patient Engagement Mistakes That Sabotage Clinical Trial Recruitment

Strong Recruitment Starts with Strong Patient Relationships Successful patient recruitment is one of the biggest challenges facing clinical trials today. According to a recent study, 80% of trials fail to...

Published January 27, 2026
MLD and DMD Added to the Federal RUSP - a Victory for Newborn Screening

MLD and DMD Added to the Federal RUSP: A Victory for Newborn Screening

Today brings exciting news for the rare disease community, born from immense effort, patient advocacy, and a refusal to back down. In a historic move, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) and Duchenne...

Published December 16, 2025
patient advocacy strategies icon
search...