Over 50 and fighting for families impacted by rare diseases

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
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• The I Care for Rare Podcast
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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 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.