You are not alone. You are surrounded by an amazing, supportive, community of people who “get it.” They know what it is like to live with vasculitis—the treatment side effects, the anxiety of the unknowns, and the indescribable fatigue—but also, the joy in small victories, the increased resilience, and the appreciation for each new day.
Community Heroes
Ordinary people can become extraordinary in their journey through life — and this has never been truer than for people living with vasculitis. Look around and you’ll see that there are everyday heroes living among us. During Vasculitis Awareness Month the VF will be highlighting a few of the many everyday heroes from our vasculitis community.
Nominate your Vasculitis Patient or Care Partner Hero
Nominations for 2024 Vasculitis Foundation Community Heroes are now closed.
Profiles of the 2024 Community Heroes will be shared in May as part of Vasculitis Awareness Month
Nominations for 2025 Community Heroes will open in January of 2025.
Meet Our 2023 Community Heroes
We asked for patient & care partner hero nominations from the vasculitis community and we were overwhelmed with the number of people whose names were submitted. Judges from outside the vasculitis community chose 14 of the nominees’ to share their personal stories as 2023 Community Heroes. By sharing their stories, they help to increase awareness of vasculitis to those outside of the vasculitis community while providing hope and inspiration to all.
Patient Hero Stories: The Top 9
Ordinary People – Everyday Heroes. When faced with a diagnosis, the road ahead may look scary. But that’s when our patients with vasculitis tap into their superpowers of strength, hope and resilience. Here are a few of the many stories from our everyday heroes whose positive attitude and determination to fight back against the disease is extraordinarily inspiring.
Aggelos Ahuja
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2020
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.”
Edward Buckley
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2012
“Wake up every day with the desire to give back. It will prolong your life and improve the lives of others.”
Ezra Alvarez
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2020
“When you know you’re rare, you move different, and you don’t waste your rarity trying to convince anyone of it, you just keep on being rare until someone realizes it and won’t treat you like anything less than what you are, which is rare.”
— B. McCoy
Litzcelis Coreano
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2019
“No hay oportunidad de rendirse, cada paso que damos es un logro y cada momento difícil nos enseña lo fuerte que somos. Vive, ama que esto es solo una prueba que nos dio la vida.”
— Litzcelis Coreano
Kristin Hultgren
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2017
“Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.”
— Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
Lauren Orwoll
Takayasu’s Arteritis • 2016
“Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
— Lauren Orwoll
Sherry Soon
Livedoid vasculitis • 2000
“As a patient with vasculitis, I’ve never let my illness define me. I choose to live life purposefully and make each moment count.”
— Sherry Soon
Ashley Vanderpan
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) • 2016
“As someone who has faced a difficult diagnosis, I know firsthand the power of resilience and determination. I am living proof that with a positive mindset and unwavering perseverance, I can accomplish any goal I set out to achieve.”
— Ashley Vanderpan
Sha Ulshafer
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) • 2021
“When you face difficult times know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.”
— Sha Ulshafer
Care Partner Stories
Douglas Ducat
Nominated by Wife
“Patience and a positive attitude can carry you through a tough time.”
— Doug Ducat
Marie Horowitz
Nominated by Husband
“My mantra: Brave, calm, strong, and optimistic.”
— Marie Horowitz
David Howe
Nominated by Wife
“Live every day to support your partner suffering with vasculitis as they did not choose this.”
— David Howe
Lawrence May
Nominated by Wife
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
Bob Nye
Nominated by Wife
“Being a care partner is all about love! Vasculitis changed many of our plans and made life much more complex. Love led me to be a more supportive care partner to my wife.”
— Bob Nye
Community Stories
Meet people from all walks of life who have been impacted by vasculitis. You will be inspired by stories of people living with or loving someone with vasculitis. You will gain hope as you are introduced to dedicated medical professionals and researchers who are working every day to improve the lives of vasculitis patients. And your heart will be touched as you learn about the amazing lives of those we have lost too soon.
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Thank You to Our Community Heroes Sponsors
