Migraine Advocacy

Migraine advocacy is ingrained in my everyday life. My mission is to relate, educate, empower, and support individuals with migraine and their families and caregivers. I seek to break down stigmas associated with migraine and headache disorders to promote an understanding of the impact that chronic illness can have on a person and family's daily lives.

I share personal stories, resources, coping strategies, and information about fundraising and events in the migraine and pain communities. I work towards advocating for more funding, awareness, and healthcare policies related to migraine management. I have an interest in how migraine and headache disorders are talked about and seen in the media. All of these are pieces of my migraine advocacy.

Sarah’s Migraine Advocacy

Overall, I aim to create a supportive and informative space for those affected by migraine while striving to improve the broader understanding of this debilitating condition. I engage with a wide range of stakeholders. I have worked with many amazing organizations to help improve funding, awareness, research, and community in the migraine world and beyond.  

Remember that advocacy is a long-term effort, and it often takes time to see significant changes. However, by building a strong and informed advocacy network and consistently pushing for increased resources and awareness, we can make a difference in the lives of people affected by migraine and headache disorders.

I started as a migraine advocate in 2014 and the first place I started was Migraine and Headache Disorder Awareness Month (MHAM). Then I found Miles for Migraine. The rest is history...

Miles for Migraine

Miles for Migraine is a registered Non-Profit with the mission of improving the lives of migraine patients and their families, raising public awareness about headache disorders, and helping find a better life for people living with migraine. I am proud to say that I do a lot for this organization! I did my first virtual walk in 2017. I started as a fundraiser and team leader in Cleveland and Cincinnati. My family even traveled to Phoenix for a walk/run/relax, getting donations and building awareness and memories along the way. Over the years, I have given my patient perspective and advocacy story, and won the biggest team, biggest fundraiser, migraine advocate, and spirit awards.

I am Currently the Biggest Miles for Migraine Fundraiser in the Country!

In 2023 team My Migraine Life raised to $8,600. In 2024, team My Migraine Life reached $12,000, and in 2025, raised $21,181.22

My Migraine Advocacy Could Not be as Successful without Your Support!

I always felt a calling to volunteer for Miles for Migraine to do more. Why I joined up with Miles for Migraine in the beginning was easy. It's for a good cause, MINE! Beyond the volunteering I was doing, I was offered a position as the Director of ACT Now: Training Program for Fellows and Patients. It is one of my greatest migraine advocacy jobs! I get to teach and encourage others about migraine advocacy and how they can be advocates both as patients and as doctors. Through this program, I had the honor to help edit and contribute to the Dear Migraine Book. It is a book of illustrations, poems, artwork, and more depicting migraine. All were created by people living with migraine. It is a great migraine advocacy moment for me to hold this book in my hands.

Additionally, I am the Director of Family Programs. Being a child with migraine, and a parent of young teens, I feel for these families we are trying to help. Virtual education, in-person family days, and support groups are provided for free. Being a busy mom and living with chronic migraine, I personally benefit from the Mindfulness Series.

Additional Resources

Migraine Support Groups

Education Days

Social Events

U.S. Pain Foundation

The mission of the U.S. Pain Foundation is to empower, educate, connect, and advocate for people living with chronic conditions that cause pain. A LOT of those people are living with migraine. The chronic illness community is a broader space than migraine and headache, and I've always loved the U.S. Pain Foundation. I was introduced to them through the Invisible Project: Special Edition Migraine Retreat. I saw all the great things they were doing and participated in and graduated from their advocacy training program. Since then, I now collaborate with U.S. Pain and Miles for Migraine in our Family Programs, bringing as much pain, migraine, and headache advocacy to families as we can. They have an incredible Pediatric Pain Warrior Camp.

The Mighty

Interview

To spark a new conversation about migraine, Sarah and Dr. Dawn Buse are lending their voices to the Raise the Bar for Migraine Care initiative, a collaboration between migraine advocacy organizations and Lundbeck.

Migraine at School

I am a Migraine at School Ambassador

Migraine at School is a national movement to guide families through the complicated journey of migraine. They provide ways to get involved, materials, and resources for parents, students, and educators. As a former intervention specialist, teacher, and child with migraine, this organization is trying to help all of those people and more.

Healthline

Healthline featured my migraine advocacy in a video called Meet Me at the Race. It was an honor to have my migraine advocacy highlighted in such a beautiful and honest way. My Migraine Life was Voted Best Migraine Blog by Healthline in the past. I was also a past guest host on their migraine app, Bezzy Migraine.

Headache on the Hill

Headache on the Hill, Ohio Representative 2021, 2022, 2023

Headache on the Hill is an event held annually by the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy in Washington, D.C. Each year at Headache on the Hill, volunteer advocates come together to personally present Congress with requests, or “asks,” which aim to spotlight legislation affecting the headache community.

Shades for Migraine

Winner of Shades for Migraine funniest photo, pet, and featured in Times Square in New York City.

Shades for Migraine is a social media awareness campaign by the Association of Migraine Disorders as a way to create buzz around a disease that affects more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP)

CHAMP brings together the most influential patient advocacy organizations and leaders in the area of migraine, cluster, and headache diseases. They held Retreat Migraine which was a powerful in-person and virtual event bringing together migraine advocacy and voices together from across the U.S. to meet and greet.  During this time, I was an ECHO member which was an advocacy training program they conducted. I am a contributor to their blog and many of the organizations I have listed here are a part of this organization.

WebMD

VIDEO- Going the Extra Mile for Migraine Relief

Migraine World Summit

Interview: From Settling to Small Wins: 3 Perspectives on Redefining Progress in Migraine Care

Migraine World Summit's mission is to reduce the global burden of migraine. Learn from dozens of world-leading migraine experts, doctors, and specialists from around the world to help answer the most difficult questions for those with migraine. You can watch for free during the event or purchase to watch at any time. (affiliate) Migraine World Summit

Prevention

Interview: Though there are a lot of dark days, there is also a lot of joy.

This story is part of Prevention’s We Are Not Invisible project, a series of personal and informative stories that shed light on those with Invisible Disabilities in honor of Invisible Disabilities Week 2022.

Migraine.Com

Community Health Leader

Migraine.com empowers patients and caregivers to take control of migraine disease by providing a platform to learn, educate, and connect with peers and healthcare professionals.

Teva Life Effects

Patient contributor

The Teva Life Effects series are stories written by patients and caregivers.

American Migraine Foundation

Migraine Author: Balancing Chronic Migraine and Motherhood

American Migraine Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting research, advocacy, and awareness for the 39 million Americans living with migraine.

New Life Outlook

Freelance Contributor

NewLifeOutlook's supportive and compassionate communities prove that's not true – you're not alone.

Voyage Ohio

Interview

Voyage Ohio's mission is to promote mom and pops, artists, creatives, makers and small businesses by providing a platform for these hidden gems to tell their stories in their own words.

Lyfebulb

Migraine ambassador

Lyfebulb is a patient engagement platform. Their mission is to reduce the burden of living with chronic disease through the power of the patient.

Good Morning America

"Why do people still think migraines aren’t real?”

That was my question on Good Morning America — and honestly, it’s one so many of us living with migraine ask every day.

Sponsored Posts

Amgen

How I navigate having a social life while living with migraine

5 Strategies for Talking with Your Doctor About Migraine Treatment

Living with Migraine after COVID-19 Stay Home Orders Lift

5 Ways My Migraine Life Has Changed during COVID-19

Migraine in the Workplace

How Traveling Was Different this Year

How a Preventative Treatment for Migraine Has Worked for Me

Going Back to School as a Teacher Living with Migraine

Nurtec ODT

Khloe Kardashian Interview-Khloe Kardashian is a paid spokesperson for Nurtec. Khloe takes Nurtec ODT as her migraine medication.