My Hero 360

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Monica and Robert Quarles, who share their daughter’s journey with Alagille syndrome. Upon welcoming Miracle to the world following an IVF journey, Monica and Robert knew something wasn’t right. Six weeks later, they finally had an answer, but the journey was just getting started. Monica and Robert discuss the emotional, financial, and physical chal...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Ashley Brooks about her rare disease journey. Ashley first learned about generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) during her studies in college and later learned she actually had the chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. After getting diagnosed, she noticed an absence of people who looked like her—a young woman—featured in resources online linked to gM...

As part of this video series celebrating Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day, Hero Philanthropy made a $2500 donation to the HypoPARAthyroidism Association. Patty and Michele, both advocates and heroes, sit down with My Hero 360’s Chris Ciraulo to discuss the ways in which the two outlets’ missions align. Both seek to spotlight the stories of individuals living with chronic rare health conditions, wi...

In this special episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Patty Keating and Michele Rayes, the leadership team behind the HypoPARAthryoidism Association, to discuss and define what it means to have hypoparathyroidism, giving listeners a glimpse into the daily struggles and symptoms of individuals with hypoparathyroidism. The two women share recent wins for the Association and share how listeners ca...

In part 2 of our conversation with Michele Rayes, she shares how legislative change is a critical part of supporting and protecting people living with a rare disease. She discusses legislative bills that the HypoPARAthyroidism Association supports and provides an educational lens into how to be a good patient advocate. Michele explains specific pieces of legislation she is fighting for, like respo...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Michele Rayes about her journey from one life-changing diagnosis to another. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in her early 20s, the surgery that helped to address the cancer subsequently resulted in a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, a rare, chronic disease for which there is no cure. Michele speaks in-depth about the physical and mental toll...

In part 2 of our conversation with Patty Keating, we dive deep into how hypoparathyroidism can affect the whole patient. Patty shares vulnerable moments that highlight symptoms such as brain fog, emphasizing how truly debilitating and isolating it can feel. The conversation also discusses treatment options, specifically how the HypoPARAthyroidism Association has helped to bring an FDA-approved opt...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Patty Keating about her experience as a post-surgical hypoparathyroidism patient. What was supposed to be surgery to address complex tumors on her thyroid became what felt like a life sentence with a chronic health condition. When her journey toward understanding her rare disease took a dangerous turn, resulting in a heart attack, Patty took charge of...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Stuart Miller about his health journey with IgA nephropathy. Stuart was diagnosed with the rare kidney condition before there were any FDA-approved treatment options. In 2018, he underwent a kidney transplant through a donor exchange program. His incredible wife was one of the donors who made this possible. Stuart is now the Director of Strategic Plann...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Krissa Hoermann , an event florist, to discuss her journey navigating the challenges of C. diff and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Krissa shares an honest account of the physical and emotional impact C. diff had on her life, recounting how it left her exhausted and frustrated without a solution for 6 months. She shares how an incredible doctor a...

In this special episode,  John B. Grimes is back with My Hero 360 with a special announcement: his book is being published tomorrow, February 7. In the book, titled “Destiny Is Debatable,” John shares his experience with bacterial meningitis and how it changed the trajectory of his life. He shares lessons learned and offers inspirational advice for people navigating a challenging time in their lif...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Cathleen McCabe , an ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Florida who runs the nonprofit Sight for Life , which provides eye care for people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In recognition of January’s Glaucoma Awareness Month, Kerri and Dr. McCabe discuss the lasting impacts the organization has had on the Caribbean island over the last 20-pl...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Jahkori Dopwell Hall at The Glaucoma Foundation offices in New York City to talk about his experience with primary congenital glaucoma, a progressive vision condition he was diagnosed with at just 6 months old. Jahkori never let his vision challenges interrupt his dream of becoming an artist. Jahkori talks about a teacher who inspired him, the famil...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dean Salmon and Stacey Carpenter-Salmon , parents to two children who were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Alagille syndrome . Stacey later found out that she had Alagille syndrome , as well as some extended family members. Dean and Stacey give advice for other parents and families helping a loved one through a health journey and talk ab...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Dr. Megan Melody , an oncologist at Tampa General Hospital. Filmed at the 2025 Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO)  Annual Meeting, Dr. Melody talks about the types of rare cancers patients can have, how an accurate diagnosis is paramount, and how societies like SOHO advance the research and development of treatment and care for patients affected by...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Michelle Hammer, founder and creator of Schizophrenic. NYC. Michelle lives with schizophrenia and uses social media to educate others about mental illness and schizophrenia in particular. Michelle credits her support system, her participation in a college sports team, and a personalized treatment regimen for allowing her to live a full and successfu...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Brittany Brinson , a PICU nurse whose son wound up in her hospital ward due to a rare genetic liver condition called progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis or PFIC. For 3 months after her son Corbin was born, Brittany searched for answers about her son’s health, often dismissed by others in the medical community. After his symptoms worsened and h...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with two heroes—first, Abbey Cook , the mother of two sons who were misdiagnosed for years, and second, Zach Cook , one of her sons who was just recently diagnosed with the rare genetic condition cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). The Cook family went years without a proper diagnosis, but a new FDA-approved treatment option, coupled with t...

Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Steven Lopez Sr. , who was injured in a car accident, leading to a long health journey to discover he had Chiari malformation and syringomyelia, both of which put pressure on the spinal cord and result in severe pain and discomfort as well as other symptoms. Steven struggled to find a care team that was right for him and finally turned to social media to find a connecti...

On this special episode, Kerri Fitzgerald sits down with Jeffrey Allen , the winner of Amazon Prime Video’s Beast Games and $10 million, the largest prize in game-show history. Jeff’s goal for joining MrBeast's reality competition was to raise awareness and funds for a rare genetic condition that his young son has—creatine transporter deficiency (CTD). Jeff talks about the journey to understanding...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Hillary Golden , founder of Glaucoma Coach , who uses her voice to educate and advocate for individuals with glaucoma. Hillary went to the eye doctor for treatment for a stye but left the appointment with concerning news: she had normal tension glaucoma. Scared but determined, Hillary decided to use her knowledge and voice to help others...

In this episode of My Hero 360, Kerri Fitzgerald speaks with Scott , founder of 4Summers , who struggled to find a diagnosis for years for his newly developed visual disturbances. After seeing multiple doctors and receiving no answers, Scott took to YouTube and other online platforms to find an answer. Soon, he found out he had Visual Snow Syndrome , a rare, little-known neurological condition tha...

In another in-studio episode, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Leigh Marino , founder of Encourage Thought , who talks about her mental health journey. Leigh talks about the childhood grief she experienced, which resurfaced when she developed a panic disorder. Leigh ultimately sought inpatient treatment for her mental health and used her experiences to help others deal with pain, grief, and other diffi...

In this episode, Kerri Fitzgerald had the incredible opportunity to travel to a flower farm in Annandale, New Jersey to interview Nicole Spadafora , owner of the botanical artistry firm Spadaflora . Nicole graciously shares her terrifying experience with a rare blood disorder: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as TTP. Nicole’s interest in spiritual teachings and love of the outdoors...

In this important interview, Kerri Fitzgerald talks with Eritrea Mussa who has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 8 years old and had a subsequent frightening experience with diabetic macular edema (DME), a diabetes-related condition that impacts your eyesight. She feared she might lose her eyesight but with the help of her doctor and appropriate treatment, she was able to manage the conditi...