Autoimm[you]ne Podcast: Recent Episodes
Melanie Igwe and Elyse Mackenzie
This podcast puts the focus on YOU, the autoimmune warriors. We discuss today's autoimmune challenges with our guest warriors, researchers, and others who help us answer some of the toughest questions in the world of autoimmune diseases.
Emily Sunez, Co-Founder and Co-Director of LA Dysautonomia Network, talks about the struggles in her diagnosing journey and valuable tips on how other patients can continue to advocate for themselves. After getting the diagnosis, Emily shares how she took charge and changed her life for the better, dives into detail about her work with LADN, how she found her love for painting, and sheds more light on her book, "The Healing Journal".
Kathryn Dao, associate professor and internal medicine doctor specializing in Rheumeatoical conditions, walks us through how she became an internal medicine doctor, explains how rheumatologists actually help autoimmune patients, and breaks down the steps patients can take to advocate for themselves. Kathryn drops some helpful tips to make your next doctor's appointment as productive as possible so you don't want to miss this episode!
We are grateful to have Mel Mann, the world's longest-living Gleevec survivor, on this episode. Mel sits down with us to chat about his terminal leukemia diagnosis journey and what it was like being told he only has 3 years to live. We touch on topics such as health inequality, how a clinical trial saved his life, and how self-advocacy (and advocating for others) can help not only increase awareness but also help push for better treatment options.
Racquel Dozier founder of Lupus In Color, an international support group, joins us on this episode of the Autoimm[you]ne podcast. She is on a mission to educate, inspire, encourage, and empower lupus warriors and their supporters worldwide. Racquel shares her long diagnosing journey, starting with how she was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis before being diagnosed with lupus. She also shares the importance of speaking positivity into your life and how that's impacted her own journey.
We had the privilege of speaking with Sumaira Ahmed, an Executive Director of the Sumaira Foundation and an avid Bollywood fan. Sumaira Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to generating global awareness of NMOSD and MOG-AD. She shares her experience of being diagnosed with sero-negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)/chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (CRION). Sumaira also shares what inspires her to help her get through the most challenging times in her life and discusses what led to her starting Sumaira Foundation.
Dr. April Moreno is the founder of the Autoimmune Community Institute (ACI), a non-profit dedicated to autoimmune health equity. She is also the founder of the Public Health Podcast Network. Dr. Moreno discusses what led up to her starting ACI, her own journey with an autoimmune condition, and how she fights for inclusivity through community-based research.
Shonda Berry, Ulcerative Colitis warrior and a supporter of DrugViu, joins us in this exciting episode. Shonda walks us through her journey as a UC warrior and sheds more light on the power of advocacy.
Rosadela Durruthy, founder of She's Got Lupus, joins us on this episode of the podcast. She shares her experience living with lupus, how she manages her flare triggers, and shines more light on how she started her non-profit, She's Got Lupus.
DrugViu's very own Suzanne Kennedy, Ph.D. sits down with Elyse and Melanie to discuss how warriors can be stronger advocates for themselves by knowing how to navigate the world of autoimmune research. Knowledge is power and Suzanne breaks down how warriors can leverage research to potentially improve quality of life.
We’re delighted to launch Season 2 Episode 1 of DrugViu’s Autoimm[YOU]ne Podcast!
In this episode, we catch up with DrugViu’s Co-Founders, Kwaku Owusu and Melanie Igwe, who share the inspiration behind starting DrugViu, how they're helping bring equity in the autoimmune space, and much more!
DrugViu aims to bridge the representation gap in clinical trials, medical research, and provides free resources for autoimmune disease patients looking to consolidate their medical records and participate in clinical research.
MS Warrior, Mother, Wife, Advocate, and Author, Julie Stamm, joins us on his episode of the Autoimm[YOU]ne Podcast. Julie talks about how she was able to advocate for herself and gives tips on how to communicate with doctors so you get what you need. Julie also goes into detail about the motivation of her book, "Some Days We..." which is aimed to help children understand what a disease like MS means.
In episode 7 of the Autoimm[YOU]ne podcast, we sat down with Keyonna Renea. Keyonna has a passion for helping others with chronic illnesses. She helps MS patients find confidence, clarity, and peace of mind while they create their new normal.
Keyonna also works with physicians to help them deepen their understanding of the patient journey and build empathy & equity into their practice.
Autoimmune movement coach and certified personal trainer, Daniela Spear shares her journey with Lupus as well as her journey creating Remade Wellness.
Hannah Olson, CEO & Co-Founder of Chronically Capable joins us on this episode of the Autoimm[YOU]ne Podcast. Hannah talks about her journey with Lyme Disease and how that led to co-founding Chronically Capable, a talent marketplace connecting chronically ill and disabled professionals to inclusive work opportunities.
Dr. Yeshokumar provides insight into her work as an autoimmune neurologist and also how she is making a change in autoimmune disease.
In this episode, we sat down with Emmitt, a lupus warrior, and hear his story about what it was like being diagnosed with lupus as a male, how his life has changed since the diagnosis, and much more!
We sat down with Lina Light, a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Warrior, and listened to her diagnosis journey. Lina shares in detail what it is like being diagnosed with MS, the day-to-day challenges, and how she continues to overcome it all!
Aldelly, a Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) warrior, joined us on this episode to help us better understand what it is like to have a rare disease like NMO. She talks not just about her journey, but also about the impressive community she's built on Instagram and her advocacy work!