The International Pain Foundation (iPain) is proud to announce our 2019 Hero of Hope Award Winners.

NERVE TO BE HEARD AWARD, Kevin Schlehuber, Reality Star, Model, and Mental Health Coach, PATIENT ADVOCACY AWARD, Daniel G. Garza and Teresa Wright-Johnson (tie), CAREGIVER AWARD, John Garrett, MEDIA-JOURNALIST, Megan Roche, Multimedia Journalist, My Paper Online, CORPORATE SUPPORT AWARD, HealtheVoices by Janssen. 

The International Pain Foundation presents the Hero of Hope Awards annually. Celebrating our 13-year anniversary we have 5 award categories; The Nerve to Be Heard, Corporate; Caregiver; Media-Journalist and Patient Advocacy, recognizing exceptional winners who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to assisting and advocating for people with chronic pain diseases. Nominations were solicited from the pain community of those who are making a significant contribution within the field of research, education, awareness, or patient assistance for each category. Finalists were then chosen from the nominations by the International Pain Foundation board of directors and collaborative and hero partners. Winners were chosen by public vote. This was our third year having the public choose the winners and more than 33,500 public votes were cast. 

“I’m truly honored and humbled to have received enough support from the public to come out on top as the 2019 Hero of Hope Award Winner in the Media/Journalist category for 2019,” Megan Roche, Editor for New View Media Group, shared. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for me and supported me along the way. This award win would not have been possible without all of your support.”

The award winners will be honored live at the Comic Pain Relief show on November 15 in Los Angeles, CA. The show entertainment will include national touring comedian Tommy Savitt with the Tommy Lama Experience. Opening comedian, Daniel G. Garza, is also a 2019 Hero of Hope Winner. The award winners will be recognized in the event program as well as receive an award trophy during the presentation. 

Comic Pain Relief is hosted by the International Pain Foundation. Thank you to all our 2019 award nominees, finalists and winners for all you do to put a spotlight on chronic pain diseases and other chronic pain conditions.