Featured patient advocates:
Sarah Rathsack
Patient Advocate | Founder
My Migraine Life
Sarah Rathsack has lived with migraine since the age of 5 and has spent more than a decade as a dedicated patient advocate. Through her platform, My Migraine Life, she shares her personal journey while collaborating with migraine and headache disorder organizations to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Sarah serves as director of the Miles for Migraine advocacy training and family programs and is actively involved in fundraising efforts in Cleveland. Living with chronic migraine has shaped both her resilience and her perspective, and she uses her experience to empower others navigating life with an often invisible condition. Outside of advocacy, she enjoys cheering on her two children at sporting events, walking her dogs with her husband, traveling, and prioritizing self-care.
Melissa Farmer-Hill
Veteran Advocate | Author | Founder
Shero Coffee Club
Melissa Farmer-Hill is a retired U.S. Army combat veteran, advocate for women veterans, and migraine awareness champion. As founder of Shero Coffee Club and author of Army Strong Women, she leads a purpose-driven initiative that uplifts women veterans through storytelling, connection, and community engagement. She hosts Shero Coffee Chat, a weekly livestream for the veteran community, and founded Shero Uncorked, an annual gathering focused on empowerment and meaningful connection. Melissa partners with the National Headache Foundation to educate military veterans about headache disorders, treatment options, and self-advocacy in healthcare settings. A lifetime member of VFW Post 311, she serves as resource coordinator for the annual Veteran and Family Resource Fair, and chairs the Mental Health Consumer Advocacy Council at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, advocating for veteran-centered improvements in care and access.
Ronetta Stokes
Patient Advocate | Community Leader
Ronetta Stokes is a 53-year-old African American woman living with chronic migraine, a condition she has navigated for decades while working full time and raising a family. Through her journey she has become a passionate advocate, using her voice to educate others, reduce stigma, and empower those affected by migraine with encouragement and engagement. Her resilience has been shaped by personal and systemic challenges in migraine care, and she shares her story to remind others they are not alone. Ronetta’s experience is defined by strength in adversity, a commitment to community, and a steadfast belief that even small wins matter in the face of invisible illness.
Interview Notes
- Haven Headache & Migraine Center
- Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Miles for Migraine
- My Migraine Life
- National Headache Foundation
- Shero Coffee Club
- Book: Army Strong Women: Building the Next Generation
Find 300+ treatments in our full Treatment Directory — available with a VIP Access Pass.
For additional links and resources, click here.
Disclaimer: The Migraine World Summit aims to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, free from bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan. Captions are auto-generated and may contain errors.
