Autoimmune Heroes

A Mysterious Flare Turns Serious In 2016, John von Bergen noticed some skin flaking on his right elbow. At first, it seemed minor—nothing...

Searching for a Diagnosis Makenzie Kaput is a 22-year-old who knows all too well the frustration of living with symptoms while still searching...

For Madison Knapp, the Autoimmune Association is more than just a nonprofit—it’s personal. Diagnosed with her first autoimmune disease, vitiligo, at the age...

The Autoimmune Association announces the 2025 Young Adult Advisory Council (YAAC)—a dynamic group of 12 young leaders from across the United States and...

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, advocates from 16 states came together for the Autoimmune Association’s Annual Legislative Fly-In event. Sharing personal stories, these...

When Tiffany Shank was three years old, her parents noticed that she lacked energy and was constantly lethargic—far from the typical active toddler....

Among the estimated 100+ known autoimmune diseases, certain conditions stand out due to their extreme rarity. Rare autoimmune diseases often lack widespread awareness,...

The Beginning: When Everything Changed Tessa Muldoon’s journey with multiple autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses is marked by years of medical dismissals,...

Priya Patil was in college when she began experiencing severe physical health issues, primarily affecting her gastrointestinal system. The symptoms left her exhausted...

Collaboration among patient groups is crucial to our mission of improving healthcare, advancing research, and empowering the community throughout every step of their...