Advocacy Heals U

Joni Adrich and Chris Jerry both lost loved ones due to medical errors. They used their own personal tragedies as a calling to help other and to make sure no one else has to go through the pain that they both personally suffered. In their Pulitzer Prize nominated book Advocacy Heals U, the authors discuss causes that lead to a deep desire for becoming advocates and strategies that they have personally applied to heal and give back. Their book offers a blueprint for how to make a commitment and have ongoing dedication to serve in an advocacy role in communities.

Aldrich’s dedication to advocacy began when she lost her 45 year-old husband to a rare form of cancer. Their cancer journey was mishandled from the start, and Joni believes that was a direct road towards his demise. Her advocacy focuses on cancer and caregiving causes, believing that patients and their families must be empowered, alert, informed and involved in their medical care. "We no longer live in a world where a doctor and his/her nurse are all that is needed to save the patient."

Jerry’s advocacy mission began the day he lost his daughter Emily because of a preventable medical error. Jerry speaks to groups in medical facilities around the country about the real cost to families who have lost loved ones because of senseless errors, often by healthcare professionals who don't mean to do harm. Chris is driven to be a part of the solution for the 440,000 Americans that lose their lives each year from causes that range from medication errors to missed diagnoses.

Episode Segments:

Heaven Sent and Bent: Joni Aldrich and Chris Jerry
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Joni Aldrich Author, Speaker, Radio Host, and Health Cause Advocate Joni Aldrich is the CEO of Cancer Lifeline Publications. Through her seven books and international radio programs (live and on demand), Joni advocates for patient rights and education, cancer families, caregiver rights, and cancer legislation in honor of her husband and mother who were both lost to cancer. Joni's Website

Christopher Jerry Writer, Speaker, Radio Host, and Patient Safety Advocate Christopher Jerry is the President and CEO of the Emily Jerry Foundation. EJF was founded to raise awareness about preventable medical errors with particular emphasis on medication errors. After an intravenous compounding error by an untrained pharmaceutical technician caused the tragic death of his daughter, Emily, Chris dedicated his life to preventing other families from suffering through a similar heartbreak. The general public is not aware that they are routinely put at risk within our nation’s medical facilities. The Emily Jerry Foundation