Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Serafina Sammarco aired from August 2nd
Serafina, a humanitarian and advocate of those living with Thalassemia for over 30 years.
Her mission is to educate and support individuals affected by this genetic disorder. She truly believes that no matter what our life challenges may be, rising above them is what makes us stronger.
Her drive was sparked by her daughter’s diagnosis of a genetic blood disorder at the age of 8 months and her death at 14 years of age.
She is the founder and president of The Vancouver Thalassemia Society, which she started after her daughter’s passing.
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Who is affected by it?
Diagnoses & Treatment
When Did I first learn about Thalassemia
How did my family handle it
Led the way to new treatment /
law (Isabella’s involvement)
Her Treatment and experiments
Forming a support Group after her passing
(The Vancouver Thalassemia Society of BC)
www.bcthalassemia.org
After a 20 year career in the corporate world, Serafina resigned to write and publish her daughter’s memoir titled Isabella’s Journey. Writing Isabella’s memoir using her story to inspire others in similar circumstances life is great and it is to be enjoyed in spite of all our challenges. Her inspiring story is charged with a positive outlook and filled with love and dedication for all who are experiencing stumbling block; leading them gently back to their life’s paths.
www.sammarco.ca
www.serafinasammarco.com
serafina@sammarco.ca
ssammarco@shaw.ca
Face Book –serafina sammarco
Telephone # 604-274-1052
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Donna’s gifts include advocacy and innovation specializing in women who find themselves disenfranchised, yet determined seekers of Truth, freedom + upward transition.


Jenny was born in Yellowknife, but lived the majority of her life in Vernon, British Columbia. Jenny graduated Grade 12 with Honors and Scholarships and then moved right after High School to Vancouver to attend Vancouver Film School for Animation and is now a 2D Classical and 3D Digital Character Design Animator. Jenny recently just finished working on a film for Super Channel with her animation and about to start on another film. Jenny also published her novel of a Trilogy in May 2015 and right from pre order was an Amazon and Canadian Best Seller. She is currently working on the second novel for the Trilogy. Despite being diagnosed with very low functioning Autism at 3 years old, Jenny has blossomed and always remained focused on pursuing her dreams and is passionate in inspiring others to do the same. She has just turned 23 this month, 95 % out of her Autism and is living proof and a role model to show others that Autism is not a Death Sentence but a rich fulfilled Life Sentence.
Janet Walmsley is a born and raised Manitoban, where she lived 20 years of her life and the who has also lived in Vernon, BC, Yellowknife, NWT and Germany. Janet was a Dental Assistant & Hygienist for 27 years and Head Marketer for a Canadian Company for 14 years. She now lives in Vancouver, BC Canada and along with being a Mother to Jenny and her son Chris, Janet has an active professional career in acting, with her theater career spanning decades and been in Film, TV, Commercials, Voice Overs and much more, for the past 6 years. Recently Janet was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for a Comedy at the 6th Annual Indie Awards in Los Angles and was submitted for Leo Award nomination here in BC. In June of 2016, Janet was awarded the 2016 Unlimited Woman of Creativity in Victoria, BC. When Jenny was first diagnosed with Autism it has been Janet’s mission to support Jenny 110% and raise Autism awareness and bring out the positive of Autism and not the usual stigma with it. Janet has and does work tirelessly in every avenue to provide all the support and opportunities for her daughter and be her constant rock, her voice and sounding board. Even going out of Canada to research Autism, find more support and further her knowledge about caring for her daughter. Even though diagnosed with Breast Cancer in July of 2014, Janet published her own book, The Autistic Author and Animator, A Mother’s View of a Daughter’s Triumph, as Janet and Jenny wanted to publish their books at the same time and do book events and talks together. It is also a best seller and Jenny’s story is reaching out and touching the hearts of many people. Her story is not only to reach out to the Autistic community, but to everyone.


Dr. Catana Tully grew up trilingual (German, Spanish, English) in Guatemala where she attended elementary and middle school. In tenth grade she entered a boarding school in Jamaica, WI and received her Advanced Level Higher Schools Certificate from Cambridge University, England. Expecting to become an international interpreter, she continued her studies at the Sprachen und Dolmetscher Institut in Munich, Germany. However, she was called to work in a play and discovered her affinity for the dramatic arts. She became the actress and fashion model Catana Cayetano and appeared in Film and TV work in Germany, Austria, and Italy. In Munich she met and married the American actor Frederick V. Tully and ultimately moved to the United States. They have a son,
Patrick. In Upstate New York, she completed the BA in Cultural Studies, an MA in Latin American and Caribbean Literature, and a DA (doctor of Arts) in Humanistic Studies. She held the position of tenured Associate Professor at SUNY Empire State College, from which she retired in 2003. She returned in 2005 for part time work in ESC’s Center for International Programs, where she served as Mentor and instructor in the Lebanon program, and as Interim Program Director for the Dominican Republic. In 2011 she retired completely to dedicate herself to publishing Split at the Root. She is currently preparing an academic version discussing the psychological issues embedded in the memoir.
She is a serial social entrepreneur, working with disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa. She runs a multi-million pound social enterprise Banya, which finds foster families for children in the care of local authorities.
Nyasha wrote a book in 2015 “Walk With Me through 16 Inspirational Business and Life Tips” and is following that up with a 300 mile walk across Zimbabwe in July 2016.
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