Support Patient Navigation
Every day patients and caregivers come face to face with completely new challenges, like food insecurity, housing instability, loss of work and health insurance, or difficulty finding a safe place to get treatments for chronic diseases.
Our Patient Helpline navigator service is there to help.
Your support helps patients, caregivers, and families navigate the complex and deeply frustrating healthcare “system.”
Providing Hope & Help
Peggy and Justin's Stories
Justin called us because he wasn't getting anywhere with his doctors. They've neglected him. He only got sicker and felt he'd been discriminated against. We were the first ones to listen. We referred him to a few support groups in his area, and he found assistance in getting proper medical care. Later, he reached out to let us know they worked and thanked us for helping.
Start a fundrasier
Your support helps patients, caregivers, and families navigate the complex and deeply frustrating healthcare “system.”
Start a Birthday Fundraiser

For your birthday this year, ask your friends and family to make a gift to support the Patient Helpline patient support service to help chronically ill and rare disease patients get access to the care they need.
Honor Someone Special

Honor a loved one or someone special by celebrating their life and making a gift to Patients Rising in lieu of presents or flowers.
Meet some of our supporters
Karina

Hi, my name is Karina (@karina.sturm), and I am a multimedia journalist focusing on chronic illness and disability. Journalism is much more than just a profession for me, though. It saved me in many ways.
When my health declined in 2010, I lost everything that defined me – or rather what I thought defines me: my job as a lab technician, my ability to compete as an athlete or to be active.
When I was finally diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (#EDS) and many associated conditions, writing helped me to get through the grief and eventually arrive at acceptance.
SAmi

My name is Sami and I have been sharing my journey as a dancer with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome @ze.brave or http://zebrave.com!
I was 12 when my first EDS symptoms appeared (joint pain), but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 26 (one year ago!). I had 14 years of trials and errors, misdiagnosis, surgery, being #gaslit, and pain until I finally received an answer.
Within a few months of meeting the right medical professional, I was diagnosed with #EDS, #POTS, #MCAS, and #ADHD
My goal is to spread awareness about EDS (+ comorbidities), and help show what an invisible illness can look like!
Be Brave. Stay Kind. Much Love.
August

My name is August Rocha. I am an adopted Chinese American, transgender advocate, content creator, speaker, and writer battling BehçetsDisease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and PTSD daily.
I strive to spread awareness of my socially marginalized communities as well as trans joy, through social media and community building.