I became a nurse practitioner because I am passionate about helping others and have dedicated myself to making a positive impact on people’s lives. Working in the biotechnology industry for more than two decades, I have been privileged to be on teams developing many life-saving therapies to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases.

Most recently at Agios Pharmaceuticals, our drug development efforts focused on novel oral therapies to treat Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) have been incredibly impactful and personally transformational. As the Global Medical Affairs leader, I have been inspired equally by the rapid scientific advances in the field AND the incredible SCD warriors afflicted with this disease.  Recent scientific breakthroughs in SCD have the potential to decrease the daily burden of symptoms and to increase the potential of cure. And yet, my greatest learnings and inspiration have come from the sickle cell warrior community itself. The challenges they face given chronic underfunding of research and the systemic racial disparities has been eye opening and powerful. I want to do more to raise awareness and decrease these inequities!

So, in September of this year I’m hiking Mount Kilimanjaro with Sickle Forward to raise money to support the diagnosis and treatment of SCD in Africa. While there have been strides in treatment of this devastating disease in the US and EU, the needs in sub-Saharan Africa are overwhelming.

As part of a 20-person team of biotech executives and investors we will raise at least $1 million for sickle cell disease in Africa. Funds raised through the Timmerman Traverse for Sickle Forward will go directly towards their goal of expanding newborn screening and treatment for SCD into new countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This campaign has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives.

Thank you in advance for supporting my goal of raising $5,000 for the Timmerman Traverse! Together we can reach new heights for individuals with sickle cell disease!