Whether you realize it or not you have a ‘PHD’ and that stands for Personal History of the Disease. So whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or a family member, YOU are living it. If it is without us it’s not about us. We need a seat at the table and AZ has given us that seat.

Anyone looking to join the program should know that it’s not a unilateral one method approach. You can participate in different ways. While one person may choose to be part of group meetings, others are comfortable to do individual interviews. I think that AstraZeneca provides a lot of different kinds of opportunities to participate; I really like that.

Being a member of the PPP is cathartic. You get to speak to really nice people, and talk about yourself, your experience with your disease and your feelings. You’re also able to provide AstraZeneca with information that they can use in what they are doing and the drugs they are developing.

Through the program, I met a lady from Canada and a lady from New York and we have formed our own little community even with different dialyses experiences. That makes me feel like a valued member of a group. My kidney problem runs in my family, and I can now go back to them in Zimbabwe and share what I have learned through not only my own journey, but also the journey of others.

I found in AZ not just people who care about our health but also friends that I can share my doubts, fears and hope to find the best way to deal with my Type 2 Diabetes