Health Activist Video Stars
Through personal experience and self-education, Health Activists stand out from the pack of online health users. By collecting that information and sharing that knowledge, they truly become leaders. Now they are some of the most important voices in the online health space. Get the inside scoop on the stars of WEGOHealth.tv and learn more about their dedication to health communities:
Ade Adeyokunnu
, Sickle Cell DiseaseCONNECT
Ade Adeyokunnu has lived with sickle cell disease since infancy. He started his very own online community for those living with the disease to come together, share their experiences and learn from one another. Ade encourages, empowers and supports others in his online community by sharing his trials, tribulations and triumphs with sickle cell.
Jack Aiello
, Blood CancerCONNECT
Jack was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 1995. Since 2001 when Jack had to go on full-time medical disability, he's been a full-time volunteer for various cancer organizations including Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, International Myeloma Foundation, and Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Advocacy activities include speaking/educating to newly diagnosed patients and caregivers, pharmaceutical company meetings, and federal and state government officials; facilitating the large San Francisco Bay Area Myeloma support group; personally fundraising $250K for Myeloma research and patient services and daily volunteer activities in the local LLS office.
Tim Albert
, Crohn's DiseaseTim was diagnosed in 2002, during his freshman year of high school. Despite his diagnosis, Tim went on to attend Saint Louis University where he learned how to manage Crohn’s and its often embarrassing symptoms. While in college he was elected president of the National Honor Society. He rushed, pledged, and was initiated into a social fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Tim created Crohn’sOnCampus.com to empower young people suffering from Crohn’s Disease. The site aims to help young people suffering from this painful and embarrassing disease by letting them know that they are not alone. He offers valuable and often hilarious tips on how to manage day to day life with Crohn’s.
Rachel Baumgartel
, DiabetesRachel Baumgartel was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2005 at the ripe age of 29. Shortly after her diagnosis, she began blogging about her condition. Rachel maintains her personal blog at talesofrachel.com while occasionally contributing to Diabetes Daily and dLife. Rachel also moderates forums at ChronicBabe.com.
Scott Benner
, DiabetesScott Benner has been a stay at home father since 2000. As a diabetes advocate and social media author Scott shares his daughter's life with type I diabetes from his perspective on his website, www.ardensday.com. Scott's writing is honest , transparent, and a great resource for parents as well as people with, type I diabetes. Scott's charitable endeavor, Arden's Day Gives, is currently in the process of applying for it's 501(c)3 status. Once up and running the non profit hopes to help offset the costs associated with insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors for the children that want but can not afford them.
DonnaLee Caringella
, Lung CancerCONNECT
DonnaLee Caringella was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with metastasis to the brain in August, 2010 at the age of 45. Her treatment consisted of whole brain radiation and a Tarceva oral regimen, which is a targeted genetic therapy. She also had stereotactic radiation on the tumor in her lung. In April of 2011, her scans showed no evidence of disease. She remains in remission to this day. On her blog, The DL on the big C update, DonnaLee has blogged about her cancer journey since its inception to the current day.
Lisa Copen
, Joint PainLisa Copen, who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, founded RestMinistries.com in 1996 to provide daily spiritual support for those with chronic illness. She began National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week in 2002. She has authored 9 books and is a sought-after speaker who brings joy and humor to the suffering.
Naomi Creek
, Joint PainNaomi Creek leads a support group and online forum for young women with arthritis. She also volunteers as a community speaker, information line operator and board director at Arthritis Victoria. Having Rheumatoid Arthritis since age 12, she empowers others with arthritis to take a more active role in managing their condition.
Karin Diamond
CONNECT
Karin Diamond was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of 26. She has been battling the disease for more than three years undergoing treatments from traditional chemotherapies, novel drugs and clinical trials to radiation and an autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplant. She is currently working to manage her lymphoma as a chronic life condition and blogs about living with and beyond disease at www.eyespeeledalways.com.
Dusty Donaldson
When Dusty Donaldson was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005, she underwent surgery to have two-thirds of her right lung removed, followed by chemotherapy. As she walked through the trial of her lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, she learned firsthand about lung cancer’s research funding disparity and stigma. She became an advocate and worked with several nonprofit organizations on a volunteer basis, including LUNGevity, the National Lung Cancer Partnership, Lung Cancer Alliance, the American Cancer Society and others. She now spends her time serving as a fulltime volunteer for the nonprofit organization she founded in 2010 to advance lung cancer awareness, early detection and compassion for those impacted by lung cancer.