Tammy Matuska is a Nurse Coordinator in the Hematology & Oncology department at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. Her duties as a member of the hematology clinic include organizing infusion appointments, scheduling testing, and assisting with complicated paperwork for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Tammy goes beyond her responsibilities as a coordinator, working outside of her long hospital hours to contact insurance companies and ensure that her patients have access to proper care.

In addition to being an excellent nurse coordinator, Tammy is a passionate patient advocate. Her dedication to furthering education about MPNs led her to organize an informational dinner for patients and their families. The event was sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and was attended by over 100 people in the MPN community. The first education dinner was so successful that there was demand for a second dinner the following year to answer questions about important topics related to life with an MPN. Tammy hopes to continue patient outreach and start a regular support group for people with MPNs. As she’s seen firsthand, many people living with MPNs are hungry for assistance, community, and information.

When she’s not advocating for her patients or organizing educational events, Tammy and her husband enjoy watching professional baseball, college athletics, and spending time with their five grandchildren.

Cannon McMullin was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET) at 8 years old and has now been living with his disease for over three years. The youngest child in his family, Cannon lives with his parents who do their best to help him live a normal life. Cannon travels regularly for testing and check-ins with his pediatric oncology care team and keeps a positive attitude when dealing with his diagnosis and the difficulties involved in his care. As part of an ongoing study, Cannon understands that although the research he's contributing to may not help him directly, the value of this study may help other people with ET in the future. As Cannon says, “I have to be a part of this if it can help someone, anyone.”

Cannon enjoys playing point guard for his school’s basketball team, kayaking with his family, and playing video games. He demonstrates incredible courage, refusing to let his diagnosis define his life. Cannon is an example to everyone with a rare blood cancer and a reminder to live each day to its fullest.

Dr. Robyn Scherber is a clinician and hematologist in San Antonio, TX, where she actively works to advance science devoted to myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Dr. Scherber is a tireless researcher who helped develop the MPN Symptom Assessment Form (the MPN-SAF), which is used to evaluate patients in clinical trials, hospital intake, and various other medical settings. Her invaluable research into chronic MPN-related fatigue and the symptom burden of MPNs has helped thousands of people quantify their symptoms related to MPNs. Dr. Scherber is focused on empowering people living with MPNs to track their own symptoms and evaluate their experiences with their healthcare team. Dr. Scherber has also been a part of the Mays Cancer Center family education program to share her knowledge with the families of people with MPNs. She is nationally recognized as a medical expert in MPNs and regularly takes part in educational activities and passes on her understanding of MPNs by speaking at conferences, such as the MPN Advocacy & Education International’s Women & MPN Conference.

As a research nurse in Houston, TX, Kurt Schroeder is a passionate advocate for his patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Kurt works hard to make sure that every patient who visits the Leukemia department receives excellent care. He works with a simple motto: “How would I want my family member to be treated if they came in here?”

Kurt pushes for inclusive wording in protocols and less-restrictive monitoring in studies in order to include more patients in important research studies. He makes creative suggestions to help every patient comply with their individual care plan within the study requirements. Kurt’s advocacy doesn’t stop at the hospital doors—he gladly hands out his cell phone number and takes calls during his days off to ensure that his patients find the answers and care they need. Kurt has an innate drive to be present and supportive for his patients, ensuring that he goes above and beyond to help however possible.

Natalie Catalano’s daughter, Carmen, was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET) at 17 years old. During the long road to identifying Carmen’s condition as a rare blood cancer, Natalie persistently advocated for her daughter’s care. Even though the diagnosis process took years to figure out, she supported her daughter every step of the way. On the journey towards the correct diagnosis, Natalie was an unrelenting partner for her daughter. With her steadfast care and attention, Carmen found her mother to be a continual source of strength and inspiration. After the diagnosis, Natalie devoted herself to Carmen’s well-being. She took on all of the physical and emotional work associated with being a caregiver to someone with a rare blood cancer, and made it a point to help Carmen maintain dignity and grace while in the hospital. Natalie is addressing her daughter’s needs with unending patience and a heroic level of commitment.

Natalie’s family is active and adventurous and goes out of their way to make sure Carmen isn’t defined by her diagnosis as a person living with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). In order to include her daughter, Natalie makes sure to connect with her and is prepared to be an attentive care provider anywhere—especially now that Carmen is in college. Natalie embodies the qualities of an MPN Hero with her faithful care and steadfast attentiveness to her daughter.

Madeleine Henriquez is a physician assistant in the Leukemia department at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, who decided to take on additional training as a mental health first aid professional. Caring for patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), Madeleine realized that there was a gap in care—the symptom burden of their diseases sometimes created mental health–related issues that could go undiagnosed and untreated. Madeleine decided to step up and take on the extra duties related to patient mental health. As part of the inaugural class of mental health first aid workers, she is treating an often overlooked psychological aspect of living with a rare blood cancer.

A Houston native, Madeleine is married to her high school sweetheart and enjoys yoga, running, and gardening in her free time. Madeleine’s work colleagues agree that she is fulfilling a vital role in patient care and is helping patients with MPNs at MD Anderson Cancer Center cope with the realities of their diagnosis. She has helped to lift the stigma on mental health and furthered a wholesome approach to treatment of patients with rare blood cancers.

Dr. Irum Khan, a specialist in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and related diseases, has dedicated herself to helping two groups of marginalized patients: people living with MPNs and people without resources to independently manage their own care. In her practice, Dr. Khan works with social workers, charitable organizations, and medical foundations to help her patients manage hidden costs of extended care like transportation and nutrition. Sometimes the cost of bus fare can make the difference between a person receiving care or suffering due to lack of funds. Dr. Khan is working tirelessly to make sure every person living with an MPN, regardless of money or status, receives the care they require.

Dr. Khan also makes it a point to pay attention to the psychological toll of MPNs in her patients. Moving beyond symptoms that can be difficult to track or measure, Dr. Khan is always committed to delving into issues beyond the symptoms people might expect from the diagnosis of an MPN. The symptom burden associated with a rare blood cancer can lead to a host of mental health issues and Dr. Khan has made it her mission to help patients manage not only their symptoms, but also any psychological effects such as depression and anxiety.

When she isn’t aiding homeless, incarcerated, or underinsured patients, Dr. Khan spends time with her family. She is also active in the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and speaks regularly at educational events for patients living with an MPN and their families. Dr. Khan’s courage in helping people who need care and lack means is a shining example of what it means to be an MPN Hero.

Dr. Laura Michaelis, a specialist in hematology and oncology, has a mission statement to live up to when she’s treating patients: “deliver superb care in a compassionate, individualized manner.” As someone caring for people living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), Dr. Michaelis goes above and beyond to offer outstanding healthcare in and outside of the clinic. Dr. Michaelis is a proponent of her hospital’s 24-hour transfusion and evaluation access point—a kind of emergency room designated specially for people with rare blood disorders—providing an excellent standard of round-the-clock care for hematology/oncology patients.

Dr. Michaelis is also a firm believer in passing along her expertise. According to Dr. Michaelis, “the biggest things I can do as a doctor are: help, communicate, and teach.” In order to carry her mission statement and share knowledge outside of hospital walls, Dr. Michaelis regularly speaks to MPN patient support groups to provide important information and answers in a more personal setting.

Outside of her medical practice, Dr. Michaelis is an avid baseball fan, painter, and traveler. An experienced news reporter before she decided to dedicate herself to medicine, Dr. Michaelis serves as Editor-in-Chief for the American Society of Hematology official member news magazine, Hematologist.