She grew to become concerned with the CJD Basis the day her mom handed. The CJD Basis supplied her household assist and sources, which have been desperately wanted on the time. Bland attended her first CJD Basis Household Convention in Washington, D.C., in 2008. There, she had the chance to satisfy different households and public well being officers, in addition to medical doctors and scientists engaged on prion illnesses.
In 2013, Bland returned to highschool to check public well being with the intent to in the future assist others affected by CJD and different prion illnesses. All through this time, she has continued to volunteer for the CJD Basis by offering data and sources for households, attending the annual convention, taking part in advocacy on the state and federal stage, and offering data for colleagues.
Bland’s household raises funds for analysis and has sponsored a number of analysis grants by means of the CJD Basis. Her household additionally offers an annual scholarship in her mom’s title to a pupil of their junior yr on the UHC Faculty of Radiologic Know-how.
Bland was not too long ago named to the CJD Basis Board of Administrators. On this capability, she may have the chance to be part of a medical schooling program to offer data to the general public, in addition to for medical professionals, hospice, and others.