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My Reason is...

My job falls under pharmaceutical sales. I work to educate allied health care providers about certain rare diseases and serious illnesses. My work impacts more than just medicine; it plays a positive role in the continuation of care. All the steps in a patient’s rare disease journey matter. We bring value, emotional and physical impacts, and can mobilize quickly to help facilitate a patient’s access to our medicines. 

Not a day goes by that I don’t commit to a goal such as ensuring a patient is well enough to play with their grandkids or take a walk outdoors with their spouse. Our reasons and purpose evolve throughout our careers. Once I joined the rare disease space it felt like my true reason, providing an opportunity to directly bring positive impact to patients and their families. 

All the steps in a patient’s rare disease journey matter. We bring value, emotional and physical impacts, and can mobilize quickly to help facilitate a patient’s access to our medicines. 

Growing up, I was always drawn to medicine. I spent my teens volunteering at the hospital and working in a doctor’s office and methadone clinic; even at a young age I was advocating for patients. At university, I studied pharmacology and conducted research and enjoyed learning about the different ways I can support and have a positive impact on a patient’s journey. I always asked myself, ‘How can I help patients?’ I wanted to change lives, making it easier or even just a little better.

Then I had children. 

The moment I held my first child, I knew there are mothers out there who don’t get that opportunity. This feeling really magnified the perspective of the journey many rare disease patients and caregivers face. Endless hours are spent trying to find a solution or path toward hope for themselves or someone they care about immensely. Many rare disease medications are identified, studied, and enter the consumer market because someone with a passion cared and fought endlessly to make a difference. 

My reason for working in rare diseases is to provide an additional voice to those who often can’t and need to be heard. I’m grateful to have the health and physical capability to support others who may not have these blessings. If I can make one thing easier for each family and patient, that means the world. I’m honored to be able to support knowledge and access to rare disease medications, enabling more patients the opportunity to receive life changing treatments.