Thursday, May. 2, 2019 – Thursday, May. 2, 2019

05:30 PM – 07:00 PM
US/Central

In Celebration of Minority Health Month, The Health Museum is partnering with Never Walk Alone to discuss how survivors of autoimmune diseases continue to live active and healthy lifestyles.  Hear from local-area professionals and gain the tools to navigate an autoimmune diagnosis.  The discussion will increase awareness and improve understanding of diseases like Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Sickle Cell Anemia.  We invite you to join us and gain resources that will help you better manage disease and better support those you love who suffer.

Thursday, May 2nd

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

To rsvp please click here.

Speaker Bios

Hope Carter 

Ms. Carter is a writer, born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward. She is currently a creative producer for KHOU 11 and is proud to be Sickle cell/ Ulcerative colitis fighter and liver transplant recipient.  She says, “I love God, people, Houston, and the LSU TIGERS.” Currently living by the motto: Everything is OK in the end; if it’s not OK, it’s not the end.

Alicia F. Mendoza, MS CCC-SLP

Ms. Mendoza, MS CCC-SLP, has been living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for 7 years. When her symptoms started, she was a full-time graduate student and a newlywed with a toddler. Her symptoms were debilitating causing her to consider quitting school, but she persevered. She completed her master’s, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, worked and cared for her family during that time. Her passion and devotion to motivate others is one of the driving forces behind her own perseverance through the challenges she has faced with this disease.

Dr. Angela Jones

Dr. Jones is a psychotherapist in the field of counseling who divides her time between her clinical practice and as a Quality Improvement Analyst. In her clinical practice, she works with adult and adolescent clientele with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and sexual problems. As a Quality Improvement Analyst, she provides feedback to the Forensic Health Division of The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, which consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the health status of targeted patient groups. She currently lives in Houston with her family.

Brandon Grace

Mr. Grace, age 34, was born and raised in Houston, TX. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in August 2003 while running track at The University of Oklahoma. He began working as an entrepreneur in 2015. He owns a home-based but not homebound e-commerce travel business. He also teaches and coaches others in the power of entrepreneurship and leveraging income throughout the travel industry.

Danielle Nicole White

Ms. White, age 33, has been living with acute Ulcerative Colitis for more than 15 years.  She is a miracle survivor of her disease. She has been hospitalized numerous times and has had 19 surgeries, including one in 2005, in which she had her colon removed. Danielle's decision to undergo surgery to have her colon removed illustrates her strength and determination to fight through this disease. Danielle is very dedicated to having the world know that Crohn's and Colitis is not a disease that children and adults must live with by themselves. She volunteers at local hospitals and communicates with patients to assure them they are not alone on this journey. Danielle is currently a Doctoral Student in Counseling Education at Sam Houston State University to continuing her journey of helping others.  

Ruby Nanez

Ms. Nanez, age 27, has been living with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), an incurable autoimmune disease, since 2001. With SLE, the immune system confuses healthy cells for an infection and attacks itself. She has encountered many obstacles over the past 18 years, such as, having to change careers from nursing to social work, leaving school due to the illness, absences from work, surgeries, challenges with family and friends, and missing out on many adventures because of the risk of getting sick. She currently has a full-time job in the supply chain field, is attending U-H Downtown to finish a social work degree, works as a church children’s pastor, and the godmother of a 3-year-old girl. “My life has been one huge rollercoaster, but I would not trade it for the world.”

Stephanie Bension

Ms. Bension is a Houston native has worked in hospitality, oil and gas, nonprofit and even event planning. Her path has ultimately led her to become a Public Speaker. She has been a two-time TEDx presenter, part of a Top 5 National Poetry Slam Team, and a champion for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Stephanie’s energetic presence charms assemblies internationally as she tackles overcoming adversity, battling a chronic illness, struggles unique to women and more. Stephanie is the founder of the award-winning Secretly Social Design and Media Management. When she is not lighting up microphones and building her businesses, Stephanie enjoys diving into a good book or traveling around the world.

Kandace Hebert

Kandace Hebert was diagnosed with Uveitis, a chronic illness that effects the uvea and iris of the eye, in 2002. Over the past 17 years she has developed glaucoma and optic neuropathy, and has had 9 surgical procedures. She has experimented with various treatment methods to reduce inflammation and increase her immunity. Through it all, she is keeping the faith and fighting the fight towards optimal healing.