Experts and Influentials
This diverse set of individuals — including well-known athletes, doctors and health professionals, powerful activists, and even royalty — all use their prominent positions to advocate for increased action against TB.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has devoted his life to fighting poverty, injustice and inequality and advancing ideas of forgiveness and cooperation.
Creator of the largest and one of the most effective NGOs in the world, Dr. Abed has focused his energies on reducing the heavy burden of TB on the people of Bangladesh.
Dr. Germaine “Gerry” Jacquette
Gerry, a volunteer with ACTION partner RESULTS USA, currently serves as Co-Chair of the Coalition for a TB-Free New York City.
Dr. Santiago Ramón-García, an innovator in global health, with the support of RESULTS Canada recently received a grant through Grand Challenges Canada toward his tuberculosis (TB) research work that will undoubtedly make life-saving impacts on TB treatment, especially to treat the drug resistant forms of the disease (MDR- and XDR-TB), for which there are no effective therapies available.
Footballer Luis Figo uses his fame to shine a light on TB and rally people the world over around the fight against this devastating disease.
As a member of the royal family in Japan, Princess Kiko has always given special consideration to conditions of poverty and ill-health. Recognizing that tuberculosis is both a cause and a consequence of poverty and that 1.7 million people die from this preventable disease each year, Princess Kiko has stepped into the global arena in order to bring tuberculosis to the forefront of government, media and civil society organizations both in Japan and worldwide.
Rania Ismail first learned of TB when the manager of her house and friend, Josephina, contracted the disease. At the time, Rania was a famous performer on Jordanian television and well-known for her roles in teleplays, soap operas, and other popular television appearances. Regardless of her celebrity-status, Rania tirelessly cared for her friend who battled with TB in her lymph nodes. Fortunately, with proper care, Josephina fully recovered. At that moment, Rania never would have thought that she was preparing for the most important role of her life: Stop TB Ambassador.
Salmaan Keshavjee is well known in the public health community and a leading expert on drug-resistant tuberculosis!
While working as a clinician at Malawi's Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, Sam needlessly lost close colleagues who were either not diagnosed or misdiagnosed with TB. An experience he will never forget, but one that has helped him contribute to improved TB and TB/HIV care across the country.
Teresa and Romel work together through ACTION partner RESULTS USA and the TB PhotoVoice Project to ensure the loss of their loved one was not in vain.
