In celebration of Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, the Schreyer Student Council is hosting an autoimmune panel, “Beyond Diagnosis: Stories of Strength.” The event, which has been orchestrated by Penn State student Grace Yacobe, will take place in the Freeman Auditorium on Sunday, March 22, at 1:30 p.m.

“I organized this panel from a very personal place,” Yacobe said. “As someone living with Celiac disease and ulcerative colitis, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate college and major life transitions while managing chronic illness.”

The panel will feature three speakers with ties to Penn State who have unique medical journeys and are open to discussing how chronic illness influences their daily lives.

The panel includes Victoria Francois, a Penn State College of Medicine student and DrPH Candidate, who will offer insight into her experience with endometriosis. Logan Schultz, the Diabetes Link President, will share his journey with Type 1 Diabetes. And the Marcus Family Executive Director at Penn State Hillel, Robyn Markowitz Lawler, who will speak on living with Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, fibromyalgia, Gilbert’s syndrome, and Sjögren’s disease.

With sponsorship from the Presidential Leadership Academy and Schreyer Wellness Warriors, Yacobe aims to continue building a community that offers a support system for anyone at Penn State with chronic illnesses or conditions.

“I wanted to create a space where people can hear honest stories, feel seen, and realize they are not alone in their experiences,” Yacobe said. “If even one person walks into that room feeling isolated and leaves feeling understood, supported, or even just a little less alone than I did at the start of my journey, then this event has fulfilled its purpose.”

Those who are interested can sign up to attend for free here.

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