EP 37 John Adams

Episode Description In this episode of Rare Awareness Radio, host Richard Juknavorian sits down with John Adams, a passionate advocate and leader with CANPKU+, the Canadian organization supporting individuals and families affected by phenylketonuria (PKU) and related metabolic disorders. John’s journey into rare disease advocacy began when his son was diagnosed with PKU shortly after birth through newborn screening. What started as a deeply personal experience quickly evolved into decades of advocacy—working to improve awareness, policy, treatment access, and outcomes for families living with rare metabolic conditions. In this conversation, John shares powerful stories from his family’s journey, including the challenges of navigating a rare diagnosis, the evolution of PKU treatment, and the life-changing impact of medical innovation. He also discusses the critical role of newborn screening, the importance of community and patient organizations, and why advocacy remains essential in advancing research and improving care for people living with rare diseases. John’s perspective is shaped not only by his son’s experience with PKU, but also by his own complex health journey and years of working to build stronger support systems for families across Canada and beyond. This episode highlights the power of persistence, patient advocacy, and the global rare disease community working together to drive meaningful change. 🎧 Listen now and learn more about PKU, rare disease advocacy, and the people pushing the boundaries of innovation and care. --- ### About Rare Awareness Radio **Rare Awareness Radio** is dedicated to amplifying the voices of patients, advocates, researchers, and innovators working to improve the lives of people living with rare diseases. Find out more at: https://rareawarenessradio.org/ --- ### Topics Covered • Phenylketonuria (PKU) • Newborn screening and early diagnosis • Patient advocacy and policy • Rare disease innovation and drug development • Building community for rare disease families CANPKU+: https://www.canpku.org #RareDisease #PKU #Phenylketonuria #RareAwareness #PatientAdvocacy #NewbornScreening #HealthInnovation #RareDiseaseCommunity