Patient Voices
We amplify patient voices by sharing patient experiences and supporting patient networks, including patient-led communication platforms
Real World Patient Data Collection
We gather authentic patient experiences from 750+ diverse community members across 6+ ethnicities
Patient Stories
Vascular disease can strike anyone, at any age, at any time. Although age and lifestyle are common factors, everyone is at risk. Learn from our patients’ experiences so that you or someone you love can understand how vascular conditions can appear and be managed.
At 41, Kipp Came Close to Death
A Test at Church Saved Jim's Life
Alane's Experience with PAD
Seizures Prevented Her from Playing with Her Children
Mary Was a Bicyclist Until PAD Struck
Her Vessels Were Slowly Calcifying
Bonnie Nearly Had to Have Her Leg Amputated
PAD patient Judy: Don’t Wait to Have Leg Pain Checked
Bick Had a Sore on His Foot That Wouldn't Heal
Nicole Had To Leave College
Steve's Walking Story
Virginia Madden Nearly Had a Stroke
Patient Partners
Steve
Steve is the Chief Marketing Officer for a Commercial Credit Education company. He is a dedicated Oregon Ducks football fan, tennis player, and proud grandfather. Steve is passionate about spreading the word about the importance of walking for patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
He was diagnosed with the disease twelve years ago. Steve started having pain in his lower calves that affected his ability to walk. Due to a totally blocked artery in his right leg and a partially occluded main artery in his left leg, his vascular surgeon recommended bypass surgery. Steve discussed his options with another vascular surgeon. He told him, ‘I really can’t improve your quality of life with surgery. What you need to do is start walking.’ Steve started walking regularly. The blood flow in his legs improved enough that he was able to avoid surgery. He continues to walk daily. He sticks to a regular workout routine and gets in a game of doubles tennis three times a week. He balances his exercise with a proper diet and prescribed medications. In addition to serving as a Patient Partner and helping to update clinical guidelines with the Society for Vascular Surgery, he is a member of the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures’ Advisory Board.
Julie
Julie is a member of the Vascular Cures Advisory Board. She is dedicated to encouraging patients to educate themselves about their vascular health conditions. She wants to help others to be better equipped at being their own advocate. Julie is not a typical PAD patient. She started to have claudication symptoms (pain while walking) when she was a teenager. Sadly, her symptoms were ignored by doctors until her mid-forties.
After undergoing several leg bypass surgeries, Julie was finally diagnosed with a new and rare genetic condition called ACDC, or Arterial Calcification due to Deficiency in CD73. Julie is an active mother of three grown children. She continues to hike or bike every day.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth worked for a major health insurance company for over 19 years. She is a mother of four with one grandchild. She and her husband are big Texas Ranger baseball fans. They love to fish and take road trips across America. In her 40’s she suffered a cryptogenic stroke and multiple Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). Elizabeth was a smoker for 35 years. She learned that the main cause of her health issues was related to her smoking habit and family history of heart disease. She quit smoking and became a passionate advocate for smoking cessation. She started to walk regularly but soon began to experience pain in her calves when walking. Elizabeth was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Severe Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease, a type of vein condition in the leg. She had immediate bypass surgery to save her legs.
After recovery, Elizabeth became a dedicated patient advocate. She promotes self-education, and lifestyle/behavior changes. Elizabeth volunteers for the American Heart Association (AHA). She is also a National spokeswoman for Go Red. Elizabeth is working with Janssen as a patient advisor on their Patient Engagement Research Council to help design research studies and educational content.
Cheryl
Cheryl is working with the American Heart Association as an advisor to their PAD National Action Plan.
Pam
Pam is working with UpToDate, an evidence-based clinician support resource, to write a patient perspective piece on living with PAD.
Sam
Sam is a participant in our Patient-Reported Outcomes Working Group. His perspective is helping researchers create studies that better meet patient needs.