Meet the 2025 Infusion Access Foundation Champions!

Feb 12, 2026 | Champions Weekend, News

Worth the Wait: A Texas-Sized Recap of Champions’ Weekend 2025

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and as it turns out, that includes the heart and resilience of our patient advocates.

While our journey to Austin was delayed by a few months, the wait only made our time together more meaningful. We just returned from the Infusion Access Foundation’s rescheduled Champions’ Weekend, and the consensus is clear: it was worth every extra moment of anticipation.

Tucked away in a serene area of Austin, we traded the hustle of daily life for a relaxing landscape complete with rolling pastures, local cows, and our honorary staff member for the weekend—a sweet farm dog named Frida. It was the perfect backdrop for a group that arrived as strangers and left as a family.

We are profoundly grateful to the ten Champions who joined us. Entrusting a team with your physical well-being and your personal story is no small thing, and we don’t take that trust lightly. This year’s cohort was nothing short of incredible. Despite representing different conditions and backgrounds, they became instant friends, supporting one another through a truly intensive schedule.

From deep dives into the complexities of federal legislation to a high-speed crash course in professional storytelling, we threw a mountain of information at them. They didn’t just handle it—they excelled. Between the advocacy workshops and the bright lights of the filming set, these advocates proved that their voices are the most powerful tools we have.

We’re still buzzing from the energy in that house, and while the weekend has ended, the work is just beginning. We are currently in the editing suite and cannot wait to share the final videos of these amazing leaders.

Stay tuned—you’re going to want to hear what they have to say.

 

 

Until then, it’s time to introduce you to our 2025 Champions!

Julie Owens

Julie is a 30-year educator, certified professional development trainer, advocate, and consultant. After dedicating years of tireless advocacy to public school education, she has transitioned her passion to a broader audience, focusing on health-related challenges. Her experiences with numerous health challenges, disappointments, and setbacks prepared her to do what she does best: advocate.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Thyroid Eye Disease, Graves’ Disease, and Acromegaly are medical diagnoses she’s all too familiar with, and, unfortunately, had first-hand experience as a collaborative caregiver and patient. Her yearly travels to the capitol in Tallahassee, FL, and Washington, DC, include spotlighting the inequities, broken legislation, and policies on health care while sharing her story when meeting with local, state, and federal legislators. It is her unrelenting passion that undoubtedly cultivates relationships.

Betty Ajueyitsi

Betty Ajueyitsi is a Nigerian American writer and lifelong educator with over three decades of experience shaping futures. A proud Myasthenia Gravis warrior and Ambassador, she uses her voice to inspire, uplift, and raise awareness while drawing from her journey as wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, and advocate.

Sarah Thomas

www.365yogadream.com
Sarah Thomas is a passionate yogi whose journey began early, inspired by her mother’s prenatal yoga classes. Mentored by her first teacher, she cultivated a lifelong love for yoga and meditation. She honed her skills at Sage Yoga, transitioning from student to teacher, and has since shared her expertise at notable venues like St. Jude, Johnson & Johnson, the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Zen Studios, and Sixth House Wellness Studio.

In 2010, Sarah’s life changed when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). As an athlete and natural mover, the diagnosis initially felt like a major setback. However, it became the catalyst for her to reimagine her yoga practice and create something greater. Three years later, Sarah launched 365 Yoga Dream, a platform dedicated to offering inclusive and adaptable yoga practices. Her goal is to empower individuals, whether or not they live with chronic illnesses, to tailor yoga to their unique needs.

Stasha Parker

www.tenaciousme.org
Mom of 2 from the great state of Maine, nature lover, chronic wellness advocate, crafting collector, bookworm, author, dreamer…wearer of many hats.

Jawan Elliot

Jawan Elliott, 36, from Mississippi, has lived with Hidradenitis Suppurativa since age 8. After years of silent suffering, he has embarked on a journey of advocacy to raise awareness about HS.

Beyond his advocacy, Jawan is a person who treasures the art of human connection. He firmly believes in the transformative power of a simple “hello” and understands that profound opportunities often arise from the most genuine relationships.

I’m Amy from Alabama. I’m a 55 year old woman that has battled chronic gout, RA, osteoarthritis and survivor of RCC in my left kidney which was removed with clear margins. I’m a mother of 4 and grandmother I just found out last night to my 11th grandchild on the way. Before going on disability I was a Paraprofessional for special needs children.

Mahsa Pazokifard

www.igg4-rd.life
Mahsa Pazokifard has navigated a challenging journey through life, marked by health issues that began at birth. After years of pain, discomfort, and organ failure, a pivotal incident led to the diagnosis of Mikulicz (IgG4-RD) and Sjogren’s disease, shedding light on the rare and autoimmune conditions that had long affected her well-being. Throughout countless medical visits and procedures, Mahsa emerged as a passionate advocate, not only for herself but also for others facing similar struggles. Her commitment to advocacy has flourished into global and community-based efforts, including collaborations with various nonprofit organizations, leading support groups and research platforms, and founding her own nonprofit organization aimed at serving and empowering the patient community.

Mahsa’s vision revolves around promoting equitable health care and research for patients with rare and autoimmune diseases, standing as a testament to the strength of perseverance and the importance of patient empowerment in overcoming adversity.

Sheldon Ekirch

 Sheldon Ekirch’s commitment to public health and to chronic illness and disability advocacy is deeply rooted in personal experience. At an early age, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints. Nearly a decade later, she was diagnosed with immune-mediated small fiber neuropathy and dysautonomia, both autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Each condition has brought significant pain and unique challenges of its own, but despite all she’s endured, her commitment to advancing health equity remains steadfast.

As a lawyer and advocate, Sheldon leverages her expertise to fight for a more just and accessible healthcare system, with a particular focus on supporting those with chronic illnesses. Recognizing that systemic barriers often prevent many from accessing adequate healthcare, she works tirelessly to dismantle them and promote more inclusive policies. Through patient advocacy, writing, and public engagement, Sheldon strives to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses are heard, respected, and included in shaping a healthier, more equitable society.

D’andre Hardy

www.theseensociety.com/

D’andre Hardy is a 25-year Crohn’s Disease, Ostomate, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa thriver dedicated to health advocacy and inclusive practices for people with chronic, invisible illnesses. As founder of The Seen Society, she equips individuals with career and business tools to maximize employability through an asset-based lens while partnering with organizations to create intentional, inclusive environments. She offers career coaching, keynote talks, and organizational workshops that empower individuals and workplaces to thrive.

Nya Oglesby is a fourth-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine with a passion for pediatrics and rheumatology. As a lupus survivor and patient advocate, she uses her journey to inspire and educate others about chronic illness and health equity.

Nya is dedicated to serving underserved communities and hopes to one day open a mobile clinic to expand access to specialized care for children and families in need. Outside of medicine, she enjoys creating health education content, mentoring students, and sharing her story through social media to motivate others navigating their own challenges. Nya also loves wedding planning, traveling, trying new foods, spending time with her husband Rashad, and finding joy in life’s small, meaningful moments.