Houston, TX
We first got connected with PDSA when Sara won the top PDSA scholarship award in 2017
- What grade are you currently in?
I’m in 11th grade. - How are you connected to ITP?
Sara, my daughter, was diagnosed with ITP in 2015. - How/Why did you get involved with PDSA? Why do you choose to stay involved?
We first got connected with PDSA when Sara won the top PDSA scholarship award in 2017. We received complimentary registrations to attend the national PDSA conference held in Phoenix that year. The conference was the first time we met others with ITP. We felt so encouraged by the relationships with PDSA staff, medical presenters, and other participants that Sara and I decided to start a local support group in Houston. We wanted other families to know that they didn’t have to go through the experience with ITP alone. PDSA continues to provide the support, especially with its website and staff resources, to help sustain our support group.
We continue to stay involved because every year our support group recognizes the difference we make together to support and encourage the support group members. - What is your favorite part about volunteering for PDSA and spreading ITP Awareness?
Our favorite part is when we see someone newly diagnosed with ITP who joins our support group and tells us how he or she has found hope, understanding, encouragement and new professional resources to support their journey with ITP. - How has PDSA impacted your healthy journey?
Personally and as local support group facilitators, we have experienced the warmth of PDSA staff as well as their medical expertise to help us navigate our healthy journey. - What do you do for school/work?
Sara graduated in 2022 from the University of Houston with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Psychology. She currently provides litigation technical support to attorneys for her company.
I recently retired as director of the Office of Aging for the Catholic Archdiocese in Galveston-Houston and pursuing a variety of volunteer opportunities with my church and community. - Share something unique about you and/or one of your favorite hobbies.
Sara plays violin at weekly church services and loves to play video games. Mark continues to do public education on aging issues and enjoys gardening. - What can you be found doing on the weekends?
Weekends are pretty laid back with time for family, friends, and church activities. - What is one thing you’d share with a newly diagnosed patient? This can be a tip, important reminder, inspirational quote, or something else you feel compelled to share.
When a newly diagnosed patient joins our PDSA support group, he or she is generally feeling overwhelmed and anxious regarding their health, treatment, and prognosis. The most important response our group members offer is encouragement and hope that we are committed to accompany them on their ITP journey – that the person is not alone. In addition, we provide reassurance that, together with PDSA, we will help them find the resources needed to maintain a quality of life. We have encountered numerous persons with ITP and their family members who have repeatedly told us how our support group and PDSA have made such a positive difference for managing ITP in their lives.