Hi, my name is Jolina Jian, and I founded ProjectPatho.

I have beta-thalassemia minor, a type of microcytic anemia that affects hemoglobin production, which I inherited from my mom. Her experiences with malnutrition, which led to fainting, made me aware of the health challenges people face in under-resourced communities without access to proper education and support.

Growing up, I’ve been constantly warned by her stories. I try to eat well and avoid intense exercise, but sometimes when I stand up too quickly, darkness creeps in across my vision, and everything turns black for a second. Even so, I'm incredibly grateful only to have a minor version of beta-thalassemia. What I experience is nothing compared to what many others face around the world..

But it wasn’t just my story that inspired me to take action. In May 2024, my cousin passed away from after a tonic-clonic seizure. He had been under a lot of stress studying for college entrance exams over the past month, leading to seizures that were increasing in frequency. When I found out about this devastating news, I wanted to make sure my cousin’s story, and the stories of people around the world, wouldn’t be forgotten.

I founded ProjectPatho to raise awareness for rare and commonly misunderstood diseases, to reduce stigma around medical conditions, and to help others learn what they can do to support people in their communities.