Samantha Garcia
Liaison & Patient Advocate, But I Fly Innovations Inc.
My passion for patient advocacy comes from both my personal health journey and my work supporting vulnerable individuals. I experienced trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, a brain tumor diagnosis, abnormal blood work that raised concerns about lupus, and other unexplained health issues. Within four months, I attended more than 30 medical appointments and consulted numerous specialists in search of answers.
Drawing on my scientific background, including three years of biology studies with a focus on homeopathic medicine research, I conducted extensive independent research into my health concerns, reviewing laboratory results and imaging reports to better understand my conditions. Although my doctors worked hard to help me, identifying the underlying cause proved challenging. This experience showed me how overwhelming it can be to navigate the healthcare system while sick and searching for answers
I work as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate and Community Education Coordinator, supporting survivors across multiple systems. In hospitals, I advocate for trauma-informed care so survivors are treated with dignity, believed, and respected. In police departments, I draw on my experience to help survivors navigate these settings and advocate for themselves. In District Attorneys’ offices, I help survivors feel supported throughout the process. I also provide college education focused on sexual assault awareness, prevention, and helping students understand how to protect themselves. Working in these spaces has shown me how important it is for individuals to have an advocate beside them when they feel misrepresented, misunderstood, or unheard.
Additionally, I have experience working with individuals with comorbid disabilities and disorders, advocating across different settings to ensure their needs are recognized, their concerns are taken seriously, and they receive appropriate support and accommodations equitably. I am passionate about ensuring that people of all abilities are treated with dignity, respect, and humanity, without being defined or limited by their conditions. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of compassionate, individualized care and the importance of advocating for those who may otherwise be overlooked or misunderstood. This commitment is one of the reasons But I Fly Innovations mission resonates so deeply with me.
I am currently pursuing a degree in business with a minor in multimedia production, building on my scientific background to support education, communication, and awareness. But I Fly Innovations mission to close critical gaps in rare disease care through research, education, and partnerships that improve outcomes and expand access for patients and families aligns with both my personal experiences and my work in advocacy.
I believe patient advocacy means helping individuals navigate resources, communicate their concerns to providers, and access the support they need without feeling judged. It also means raising awareness within the medical community and beyond, challenging stigma, and helping others understand the realities of living with a rare disease. I believe education can foster a more informed, compassionate, and aware society, one that recognizes that the person sitting beside us, working alongside us, or living in our community may be a rare disease survivor or someone currently navigating life with a rare condition. Through greater awareness and understanding, we can encourage empathy, reduce stigma, and create an environment where patients and families feel seen, heard, and supported rather than overlooked completely. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my lived experience, education, and advocacy background to But I Fly Innovations mission and contribute to a future where rare diseases are better understood and every person is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.