For the rare disease community, there is a common motto “alone we are rare, together we are strong”. Advocacy organizations play this important role in connecting families of rare disease , amplifying their voices and helping to improve health outcomes for people living with rare diseases. Today’s podcast guest is Annie Kennedy who has over three decades of experience in advocacy work. A veteran leader in the rare disease patient advocacy movement, Annie joined the EveryLife Foundation in 2018, where she led the National Economic Burden of Rare Disease study, the development of the ICD Code Roadmap, and the community-driven Guide to Patient Involvement in Rare Disease Therapy Development. Annie previously held leadership roles at Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). She is a sought-after advisor to patient-centered organizations and initiatives across the nonprofit and government sectors. If you are new to advocacy work or a seasoned advocate, become inspired by Annie’s story to carry forward despite the road to advocacy work is non-stop, exhausting and at times, bumpy with many ups and down. Join this collective energy to advocate for rare diseases research.

Podcast Interview Questions:

1. For over three decades your advocacy work has been critical to amplifying the voices and you are currently the Director of Chief of Policy, Advocacy, & Patient Engagement for the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases. Can you share with our listeners the mission of the EveryLife Foundation? What were major accomplishment made? And how can they get involved?

2. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases also plays important roles in advancing newborn screening advocacy in the United States. What is your vision for how stakeholders across newborn screening and the rare disease community can work together?

3. EveryLife Foundation led a study to assess the total economic burden of 379 rare diseases in 15.5 million individuals in the United States in 2019. The total economic burden was $997 billion. What were your key takeaways from this important study and how can the results inform researchers, clinicians, policy makers, and other key stakeholders?

4. Prior to the EveryLife Foundation, you were involved in the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). In that time, you helped lead the legislative efforts around passage and implementation of the MD-CARE Act (2001, 2008, 2014), the Patient Focused Impact Assessment Act (PFIA) which became the Patient Experience Data provision within the 21st Century Cures Act (sec 3001). Congratulations, these are incredibly impactful efforts. Can you tell our listeners about the ‘behind the scenes’ activities that were undertaken to lead these efforts and the implementation strategy.

5. February is a special month. Every year, last day of February is a day to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases and their families. What are some rare disease day activities taking place?

6. Are you involved in training the next generation of advocates, and what do you tell them about newborn screening research?

7. How did you know leading advocacy work was your calling? Can you share your career journey?

8. The road to advocacy work is non-stop, and at times, bumpy, do you have any stories of inspiration that keep you going?

9. How can NBSTRN assist in you advocacy work?

10. What does NBS research mean to you?