Danielle Alstat

At the end of 2019, Danielle was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis. She had just turned 31 years-old, which is significantly younger than the average diagnosis age for PBC. Shortly after her diagnosis, Covid-19 changed the world and ultimately led to life changes for Danielle. She has worked as a Respiratory Therapist for over 10 years serving underserved and marginalized communities. This is where Danielle witnessed first-hand disparities patients can experience in healthcare.

After being diagnosed with a few additional autoimmune diseases, Danielle became involved with advocating for patients living with PBC. She facilitates her own support group fostering an environment for safety and vulnerability for patients to share their lived experience having PBC. Danielle serves as the PBC patient representative for the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. She served on her first committee panel meeting in September 2024. She shares her story on numerous other blogs and writing outlets. She has also been invited several times to attend the International PBC Summit hosted by the PBC Foundation in Edinburgh, Scotland. Danielle also has experience working with nonprofits regarding PBC advocacy.

Danielle has found her voice through advocacy and has vowed to be a voice for the voiceless. Between her front-line experience providing direct patient care to being an auto-immune patient herself, Danielle brings a unique and insightful experience to living with primary biliary cholangitis.

Click here to read all of Danielle's articles on PrimaryBiliaryCholangitis.net.