Hero of Hope 2019 Finalist

Nerve to Be Heard Finalists – Celebrities that Have the Nerve to be Heard about chronic pain challenges. This person is being recognized for bringing awareness to the challenges of living with chronic pain in a national or international spotlight. Finalists could include celebrities, legislators, professional Olympic athletes, etc.

Tichina Arnold Los Angeles, Ca https://twitter.com/TichinaArnold Tichina uses her talent and fame to raise awareness for various health issues. She and her sister Zenay have created an organization “We Win” that supports and raises Lupus Awareness and Research. Tichina has understood the pain and frustration of watching her sister struggle with lupus and pain, so her empathy created the organization so others could find resources and support. Whether on stage hosting the Essence Music Festival or on TV in the CBS Hit Comedy “The Neighborhood” Tichina’s talent, personality and warmth shine and inspire people to smile, laughter and find joy. Tichina has supported the chronic pain community by donating her time, passion and money to continue the outreach and programs of the “We Win Foundation”

Josh Blue Denver, Colorado https://twitter.com/JoshBlueComedy Through comedy, Josh Blue is able to share stories about his experience in a lighthearted way. His style of comedy has also been a great teaching tool for the public to raise awareness around this condition. Though people try to pigeonhole his comedic style, Josh continues to prove that he is more than his disease. His latest 1-hour special, Delete, is available on Amazon and iTunes. I’m sometimes branded as the “cerebral palsy comic” so people think I just talk about cerebral palsy and that it’s not relatable to everyone. It all comes from the perspective of a disabled person, obviously, but I think that most of my stories are relatable to different people. Also, people don’t tell a fat comedian that they talk too much about being fat, or a woman or black comedian that they talk too much about what they know. But I’m the one who gets that a lot. I get criticized for talking about CP but I’m just talking about what I know. Other people have loved me since Last Comic Standing.

Sarah Hyland – Los Angeles, CA www.twitter.com/Sarah_Hyland Sarah had a kidney transplant in 2012 and has been open about her diagnosis of kidney dysplasia. However, earlier last year, she also revealed on social media that she's been suffering from "chronic pain," which she continues to struggle with now. "For all of my invisible illness, chronic illness, chronic pain warriors — continue to do what you love," she urged fans on Instagram this week. "Find what you love and focus on that because that is so much better than any type of physical pain." Sarah Hyland was born in New York City to actors Melissa D. Canaday and Edward James Hyland. She began in the business at the age of 4 with commercial work and voice overs. Her first film was Private Parts. She then moved on to The Object of My Affection and then spent time on Another World as "Rain Wolfe", a child found in the park, and fostered by Josie and Gary. Sarah would go on to work with Amy Carlson ("Josie" on AW) several more times: Falcone, Law & Order and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Sarah was cast as one of the young "Audrey Hepburns" in Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Audrey Hepburn Story the same year she was cast as "Molly" in ABC's Annie starring Kathy Bates, Audra McDonald, Alan Cumming, Victor Garber and Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Gould's Secret and Falcone. Aside from all of her film and television work, Sarah studied voice, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, Theatre Dance, and performed with her tap and Theatre dance class at "Reel to Real" at Lincoln Center as invited performers. Hero of Hope 2019 Finalist

Kevin Schlehuber Boston, Massachusetts www.twitter.com/bb19kevin Kevin Schlehuber of Big Brother on CBS is known for his charisma as well as his "live and let live" attitude. But lately, he's been taking on a more serious topic. In the years since taping Season 19, the 58-year-old actor and father of seven has gone public about his battle with prostate cancer. It's been five months since Kevin first tweeted to the world about his diagnosis. Since then he's posted about every step in his journey of recovery. Growing up in a family with high cancer rates, Kevin has seen the effects first hand. In 1986, one of his brothers passed away from testicular cancer. Both his parents have been treated for cancer, and his other brother is currently fighting stage 4 colon cancer. He has lost both an aunt and uncle to leukemia. For Kevin, his family history is just another reason why it's so important to spread the message of getting checked. We talked with Kevin about the journey of beating cancer and looking forward. Since Big Brother Season 19, Kevin has been a public advocate about cancer education and mental health awareness. He's recently went through the process of becoming a certified mental health coach. Kevin never imagined that he would be able to use the platform created from Big Brother to make a difference for other patients, but says he's very proud to do so.

Cynthia Germanotta New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA https://twitter.com/momgerm Cynthia is the co-founder of the “Born This Way Foundation” with her daughter Lady Gaga. In the 7 years, since it began the Foundation has funded research studies to understand the needs of adolescents and had created projects that empower youth to be kind and brave. This year the Foundation began a pilot program “Teen Mental Health First Aid” it started in 8 schools and next year will be in 20. In addition to her work with The Foundation, Cynthia has recently been named “Global Ambassador for Mental Health” by the World Health Organization. Cynthia and the Foundation have innovated and created the Teen Mental Health First Aid, which in its first year has prevented 8 teen suicides. Teen Mental Health First Aid addresses the needs of youth struggling with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. The program provides teens the information and resources they need to help themselves and their peers who are struggling. “It is okay, to not be okay.” The program shows teens how to seek and find support and counseling. One person in pain is too many. Cynthia and The Foundation had issues finding out what projects could impact the youth they serve. So, The Foundation commissioned an in-depth research study to understand what the teens needed. After the survey, The Foundation and Cynthia teamed with the National Council of Health to create and develop the Teen Mental Health First Aid program. Cynthia has inspired others to support and empower teens. She and The Foundation have a program where donations made to The Foundation will be matched by the Starbucks Partners program. Cynthia’s warmth and kindness is wonderful but the way she can talk to a corporate executive and receive tremendous financial support for her passion project - the Born This Way Foundation. "Cynthia personally supports the Foundation, and she isn’t afraid to get involved. Last week, Cynthia spent hours creating “Find Your Anchor” boxes that address and help youth find help if they are thinking about suicide or severely depressed. Personally, Cynthia always takes the time to talk to me and ask me “How am I doing?” She knows I live with lupus and chronic pain and her gentle inquiry makes me feel as though her caring heart and soul never stop understanding those who live with chronic pain."