Over 50 and fighting for families impacted by rare diseases
11/21/23 • 36 min
Host Sherrilynne Starkie welcomes Sandra Markus, a marketing and communications consultant and the driving force behind the I Care for Rare advocacy campaign to the 50 Women Over 50 podcast.
As the mother of a young man with a rare neurological disease, Sandra is on a mission to improve the lives of patients, families and caregivers living with rare disorders. In this interview she shares how her life changed when her son graduated high school and his established health care and social support systems stopped almost overnight.
Sandra explains, “Zach is my son who was born with a rare disorder, and it gave me great relief that while I was working, he was in school. He graduated during the pandemic, and that was the turning point for our whole family.”
Sandra Markus
Sandra Markus is a brand, marketing and communications expert with over three decades of industry experience. She has worked with local, national and international brands of all types, ranging from public-sector and not-for-profits to private-sector consumer and technology. She’s an IABC certified strategic business communicator and is a Past President of IABC Ottawa. Her elder son, Zach, was diagnosed at 18 years old with CHD2 myoclonic encephalopathy in 2018. Sandra is sharing her story with the hope that together, the patients, families and caregivers of those living with rare diseases and disorders can come together and show support for much-needed healthcare and community care reform.
• Sandra Markus
• I Care for Rare
• The I Care for Rare Podcast
• CHEO
• Roger Neilson House
• Kiwanis Club of Ottawa
• The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch
• The Curse of Oak Island
• Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work by Joanne Lipman
About the 50 Women Over 50 Podcast:
Sherrilynne Starkie started this show as a creative project with the goal of interviewing 50 women past their 50th birthday to learn how they see the world, what lessons they’ve learned and what advice they have for us all. She’s been blogging and podcasting for 18+ years as part of a successful marketing and communications career and has loved learning from all the women she interviewed. Subscribe to 50 Women Over 50 wherever you get your podcasts and please share it with your friends.
Elevating the voices and stories of women navigating the enriching complexities of midlife, '50 Women Over 50' is an empowering podcast that draws inspiration from the experiences of 50 incredible women.
Host Sherrilynne Starkie welcomes Sandra Markus, a marketing and communications consultant and the driving force behind the I Care for Rare advocacy campaign to the 50 Women Over 50 podcast.
As the mother of a young man with a rare neurological disease, Sandra is on a mission to improve the lives of patients, families and caregivers living with rare disorders. In this interview she shares how her life changed when her son graduated high school and his established health care and social support systems stopped almost overnight.
Sandra explains, “Zach is my son who was born with a rare disorder, and it gave me great relief that while I was working, he was in school. He graduated during the pandemic, and that was the turning point for our whole family.”
Sandra Markus
Sandra Markus is a brand, marketing and communications expert with over three decades of industry experience. She has worked with local, national and international brands of all types, ranging from public-sector and not-for-profits to private-sector consumer and technology. She’s an IABC certified strategic business communicator and is a Past President of IABC Ottawa. Her elder son, Zach, was diagnosed at 18 years old with CHD2 myoclonic encephalopathy in 2018. Sandra is sharing her story with the hope that together, the patients, families and caregivers of those living with rare diseases and disorders can come together and show support for much-needed healthcare and community care reform.
• Sandra Markus
• I Care for Rare
• The I Care for Rare Podcast
• CHEO
• Roger Neilson House
• Kiwanis Club of Ottawa
• The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch
• The Curse of Oak Island
• Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work by Joanne Lipman
About the 50 Women Over 50 Podcast:
Sherrilynne Starkie started this show as a creative project with the goal of interviewing 50 women past their 50th birthday to learn how they see the world, what lessons they’ve learned and what advice they have for us all. She’s been blogging and podcasting for 18+ years as part of a successful marketing and communications career and has loved learning from all the women she interviewed. Subscribe to 50 Women Over 50 wherever you get your podcasts and please share it with your friends.
Elevating the voices and stories of women navigating the enriching complexities of midlife, '50 Women Over 50' is an empowering podcast that draws inspiration from the experiences of 50 incredible women.
Previous Episode
From Grief to Growth: Carrie E. Pierce’s Inspired Life Over 50
Host Sherrilynne Starkie welcomes children’s book Author Carrie E. Pierce to the 50 Women Over 50 podcast.
Having experienced heartbreak and tragedy firsthand and seeing many of her dreams come true, Carrie speaks honestly about life with a rich insight into the human heart. In this interview she shares her own journey through grief to a new life in new community with new friendships and a new, positive perspective of life over 50.
Carrie says, “I have faced my most crushing loss and I'm still standing. I am, for the first time, getting an opportunity to find out who and what I really am.”
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Carrie E. Pierce has over 20 years of experience in publishing, radio & TV. She is a published author and ghostwriter. Her children's book Abby Apple Tree was named a finalist for an Eric Hoffer Award. She is a partner in Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing. And her subscription service Letters from Elizabeth, delivers thoughtfully penned letters twice a month to women who suddenly find themselves alone after a major life change later in life.
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About the 50 Women Over 50 Podcast:
Sherrilynne Starkie started this show as a creative project with the goal of interviewing 50 women past their 50th birthday to learn how they see the world, what lessons they’ve learned and what advice they have for us all. She’s been blogging and podcasting for 18+ years as part of a successful marketing and communications career and loves learning from all the women she interviews. Subscribe to 50 Women Over 50 wherever you get your podcasts and please share it with your friends. Get each weekly episode dropped into your inbox by subscribing here.
Elevating the voices and stories of women navigating the enriching complexities of midlife, '50 Women Over 50' is an empowering podcast that draws inspiration from the experiences of 50 incredible women.
Next Episode
What's next for the 50 Women Over 50 podcast
Host Sherrilynne Starkie gives a sneak peek peek into what's coming up on "50 Women Over 50" in the next few months.
Elevating the voices and stories of women navigating the enriching complexities of midlife, '50 Women Over 50' is an empowering podcast that draws inspiration from the experiences of 50 incredible women.
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