Erica Zahn is passionate about raising awareness of rare diseases and disorders and helping people connect with the resources that may ease their journey. Erica has been a caregiver, and is a patient, herself, so she completely relates to the rare disease community--on a deeply personal level.
Cushing's disease is caused by the pituitary gland creating too much andrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. In 80% of diagnosed cases, Cushing's disease is the result of a benign tumor on the…
Have you ever noticed when you have a cut, and it's healing, you sometimes feel itchy? Those are the mast cells helping your body to heal while helping defend against…
We hear of feuding nations: Countries that share a border, yet can't get along with each other. So, it's heartening when I read of a young girl in Pakistan who…
For anyone who watched the television show "Law and Order," we all know that whatever the case, all the details were always wrapped up in under an hour. Prosecution. Check. Defense. Check.…
You were rear-ended on the Interstate a year ago, and after the obvious injuries healed, you still had pain. But not just pain—really intense pain, and it shows no signs…
Congratulations! You're about to have a bundle of joy! You have names picked out, and you've been preparing for the past nine months to welcome this new little family member.…
This informative video describes in simple layman's terms what cystinosis is, how it affects the body, and how it can be treated. But the main idea I came away with…
Keenan Cahill is a YouTube sensation who just happens to have Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. Although, after watching his channel for a half hour, he isn't letting it hold him back from…
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetic condition that affects the immune system. It's in the family of primary immuno-deficiencies, and makes it hard for the body to fight infections…
The human body is a magnificent machine, and each cell has a role to play. In a way, it's like a jigsaw puzzle that ordinarily is put together perfectly. The only…
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency (CPT II) is a long-winded way of describing a fatty acid oxidation disorder that prevents the body from using fat. It's caused by enzymes that aren't properly functioning,…
Addison's disease is another name for adrenal insufficiency -- meaning the adrenal glands don't produce enough of the hormone cortisol and frequently create insufficient levels of aldosterone. Cortisol is the…
Approximately one in 15,000 people have a defect in their HTT gene and the outcome of that defect is ultimately life-ending. It's called Huntington's disease, or HD, and the average…
In the immunodeficiency department, Cat Latuszek hit the unfortunate jackpot. After a lifetime of ear infections, she was finally diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency, or CVID, at the age…
If you were at a cocktail party and someone happened to mention they have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, how would you respond? Would you deftly swirl the wine in your glass, pretend there's…
There is something inherently unfair about seeing your child get sick, and almost every parent in the world would do anything possible to make things better. It can be even…
Gaucher disease occurs when the body doesn't produce the enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase, which is needed to break down fats, or lipids. As a result, fatty deposits collect in the spleen and liver,…
There is good news for the Castleman disease community: a new drug called SYLVANT (siltuximab) has recently been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If you aren't…
Aplastic anemia is the result of the body's bone marrow not producing enough healthy red cells. This can occur because the bone marrow has been damaged by toxic chemicals, radiation, or…
"Fate whispers to the Warrior, 'You are not strong enough to withstand the storm.' The Warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'" World Rare Disease Day is observed each year…
DaVita Garfield was a young mother with a great job, a strong faith, and was living a happy life when her health began to fail. She had a number of…
Popular New Zealand news anchor Toni Street announced to fans she has Churg-Strauss syndrome. Toni didn't want to kick up a fuss about her diagnosis with the autoimmune disease. Her viewership…
It seems like every day I read about another death caused by opioid addiction. When the US government attempted to stem the tide of opioid abuse by restricting medical professionals' ability…
Sarcoidosis is one of the rare diseases that makes me angry. A good friend of mine has it and it has rendered a once vibrant, active woman into one who…
You're doing everything right for your newborn baby, including having a heel stick so your child can be tested for a host of genetic abnormalities. Life is good. Weeks later,…
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