Community Voices
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.
Meet Our 2025 Community Heroes
We asked for patient and care partner hero nominations from the vasculitis community. Judges from outside the vasculitis community chose seven of the nominees to share their connections to the VF community and beyond as 2025 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.
Erik Dodge
Diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) in 2020.
A competitive athlete, who has connected with other athletes diagnosed with vasculitis, Erik uses his platform as an athlete to spread awareness.
Stacey Ivits
Diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in 2002.
Stacey donated her time and expertise in writing the “Navigating Your Vasculitis Journey” guidebook. Her experience and the connections she’s made as a clinical social worker and a vasculitis patient informed this downloadable guide.
Madeline Moore
Diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) in 2024.
Madeline promotes vasculitis awareness through her high school medical lab assisting class, and gathered toys during the holidays for child life specialists, who supported her at the children’s hospital, to give to other sick children.
Abby and Morgan Reynolds
Care partners/Parents to college student Annie Reynolds, who was diagnosed with GPA in 2017.
Abbey and Morgan make sure their daughter has expert care, access to vasculitis experts and can attend VF medical conferences, where they also connect with other care partners.
Autumn Righino
Diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in 2012.
Autumn learned that by opening up about her diagnosis, she developed a community of people who supported her. She began writing a blog to support others and raise awareness.
Mia McLean
Diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) in 2024.
Mia is open about her GPA diagnosis, offering to help others with health issues. Mia serves the seniors in her community through Meals on Wheels and volunteers as an activities assistant at a senior center.
Beth Westbrook
Staff
Beth built bridges with corporate sponsors and other rare disease organizations, introducing public policy initiatives vital to the VF community. She brought together key players in a VF summit to discuss overcoming barriers to access to healthcare.
2024 Community Heroes
Geraldine and Joe Vasculitis Community Hero 2024
2023 Community Heroes
2022 Community Heroes
2021 Community Heroes
VF Patient Heroes Joyce
Patient Heroes: Kate Tierney
VF Patient Spotlight: Adisyn Wilson
Thank you to our 2025 Vasculitis Awareness Month sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsor:
Our Community Partners
