The 2019 WEGO Health Awards turned out to be our biggest celebration yet! With over 6k nominations and 130k endorsements, we were able to celebrate more Patient Leaders than ever before.
The program celebrates the top 5 finalists in each of the 15 WEGO Health Awards categories, but with so many nominations, it’s nearly impossible to shine a bright light on all these deserving nominees! In hopes of recognizing even more nominees, we’ve compiled the Top 10 Patient Leaders in each category based on community endorsements.
WEGO Health Awards Best in Show: Blog Award
Perhaps you’re looking to start a blog, create a new strategy or maybe you just need some inspiration, these ten bloggers are the ones to watch in the online health community!
Kelly Cervantes | Epilepsy Patient Leader
2019 Best in Show: Blog Award Winner
“My hope is that by publicly sharing our family’s journey and the real life moments that come with parenting a special needs child, I can raise the awareness needed to fund future research. Thank you again and I invite you to join me in living life one inchstone at a time.”
Follow the WEGO Health Awards winner on social!
Sharon Krischer | Parkinson’s Disease Patient Leader
2019 Best in Show: Blog Finalist
“I was diagnosed with both Breast Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease in January 2009. After coming out of hibernation, oops, recovered from the fatigue of radiation therapy, I started researching everything I could find about Parkinson’s on the internet. At that time, there were not a lot of patient friendly websites or blogs. Soon, people started contacting me to talk to their friend, family, co-worker who was newly diagnosed. Somehow the word got out that I was the expert in my community. About 5 years ago I started writing a blog called “Twitchy Woman, My Adventures with Parkinson’s Disease” to fill a need for information about living with Parkinson’s Disease from the patient’s point of view for people who were newly diagnosed. My goal is to present living well with PD in a positive, sometimes humorous way.”
Want to follow the Twitchy Woman? Click here.
So Bad Ass | Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Leader
2019 Best in Show: Blog Finalist
“I share my story because I remember the feelings of devastation and isolation when I first went through surgery and if I can help one person to come through that dark time, then it will all be worth it.”
Learn more about Sam of the So Bad Ass blog.
Barbara Jacoby | Breast Cancer Patient Leader
2019 Best in Show: Blog Finalist
“My goal is to empower patients and their caregivers and families and friends with knowledge about all aspects of care and treatment from diagnosis to forever. This allows for selecting the best course of action for everyone involved and to empower patients to take control of their lives so that they feel a sense of confidence in what they are undertaking. With successful doctor/patient interactions and conversations and the confidence to seek a second or third or fourth opinion until everyone is satisfied that a selected course is the best option, a better outcome will result on both a physical and psychological level and that is everything. I believe that it is time that we start to treat the patient and not just their disease. And by additionally providing information about support programs available to help a patient and their helpers and supporters at all levels, everyone knows that they are not alone and that there is a whole network of others there for them when and if they choose to seek such help.”
Stay up to date with Barbara’s outstanding advocacy work.
Veronique Mead | Chronic Illness Patient Leader
2019 Best in Show: Blog Finalist
“I’ve developed an understanding of trauma and chronic disease from 20 years of studying the research literature. I’ve tested theories with my own health and gradually improved. I’ve explored and refined new tools with other patients. Science is discovering that the effects of trauma are physiological, not psychological. It helps make sense of diseases of all kinds and of symptoms, flares and triggers. And healing. My illness has unexpectedly been one of my greatest teachers and gifts. Many of the lessons have come from learning how to listen to, befriend and trust my body.”
Learn more about Veronique and her exploration of trauma science and chronic illness.
Emily Garnett | Breast Cancer Patient Leader
“I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at age 32, the same week my son turned two and my husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. (Big week for our family). After my diagnosis, I began blogging about my diagnosis, treatment, and thoughts about all of it.”
Check out the important work Emily is doing beyond the pink ribbon.
Devin Garlit | Multiple Sclerosis Patient Leader
“I’ve lived with Multiple Sclerosis my entire life. First as a child where I helped care for my grandfather, who suffered from the disease, and then, as a patient, since 2000 when I was diagnosed at the age 21. Placed on disability at just 35, I write about my life with the disease, as well as every other aspect. No topic is out of bounds for me and my goal is to simply to be real. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I can definitely talk about the disease accurately and be 100% honest. My goals are always, to raise knowledge about the disease, but to also make those suffering understand that there is someone else out there that understands them, to show them that they are not alone.”
Add a fresh voice to your feeds by following Devin on social.
Samantha Mixon | Lung Cancer Patient Leader
“Keeping my faith is a blog about the past 6.5 years since diagnosis of stage 4 non small cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma with a positive EGFR mutation. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, it’s real. It is the roller coaster we call lung cancer. Although I do cut up, it’s my way of coping and helping others.”
Maria Thomas | Hyperhidrosis Patient Leader
“I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be embarrassed or ashamed of your medical condition. There is hope for hyperhidrosis, and you are so much more than your diagnosis. It takes a great deal of courage to speak about hyperhidrosis. I don’t know where the heck I get my courage from, but I do know my purpose in life is to use my sweaty voice to help others find theirs, too.”
My Life As a Puddle is a blog you don’t want to miss!
Sam Moss | Autoimmune Disease Patient Leader
“In 2014 I medically retired from my position as Executive Manager, in Financial Services, a role I loved. My body had decided to work against me and I was diagnosed with severe bowel prolapse, Rheumatoid Arthritis, other autoimmune diseases, and a complex idiopathic Rare Bone Disease. I have constant pathological broken bones and a permanent colostomy. Life is a challenge but still fulfilling as I blog about ‘My Medical Musings’ living with an unpredictable complex disease. My passion has always been helping people to achieve their full potential. I now have the honor of supporting others, living with complex illness, through my online community.”
Click here to learn more about Sam and her advocacy work.
These bloggers are doing amazing work. Follow them to stay inspired!
