2023
June 2023
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Thermo Fisher Scientific One Lambda Laboratories – Fishers, IN
Valen spoke at the grand opening of Thermo Fisher’s new lab, where she shared how receiving a transplant is a singular event that leads to a lifelong journey of living immunosuppressed. She shared her experience of enduring a liver biopsy and how crucial it is to have access to noninvasive and innovative diagnostic tools.
June 2023
American Transplant Congress – San Diego, CA
Valen spoke at a dinner event hosted by Thermo Fisher Scientific, where she shared her transplant journey and firsthand experiences to help humanize diagnostic testing, express the importance of noninvasive diagnostics, and illustrate why patient voices matter in innovation and policy.
2022
April 2022
Satellite Healthcare Wellbound Support Group - Valen virtually shared her dialysis and transplant journey with dialysis patients and how she has learned to cope and remain resilient through all of her medical challenges.
February 2022
Thermo Fisher Scientific Town Hall - Valen shared her transplant journey, why patient advocacy is important, and helped debunk three common sentiments surrounding transplantation: #1 – Transplantation is a singular event. #2 – “So you’re good now.” #3 – Transplant recipients feel nothing but gratitude after receiving a transplant.
February 2022
Thermo Fisher Scientific Global Commercial Meeting - Valen virtually shared the pivotal role diagnostics have played in her transplant journey. She helped bridge the gap between patients and diagnostic professionals as she expressed how important their work is and how diagnostics got her to transplant, through transplant, and how they keep her going.
2021
December 2021
The 133rd Annual Meeting of The Southern Surgical Association – Valen was the keynote speaker to the 500 surgeons and their families in attendance. She virtually shared her story by highlighting several defining moments in her medical journey when her surgeons showed aptitude, bravery, and conviction and how these moments set her on the course to live a longer, healthier life. She also highlighted the opportunities she’s been afforded because of the incredible surgeons in her life and the lifesaving and life-changing work that they do.
Part 1
Part 2
November 2021
National Kidney Foundation 33rd Annual Authors Luncheon – Valen spoke at the VIP event, sharing the virtual stage with renowned and best-selling authors. Her story was selected to be one of the featured “Mission Moments” during the main event. Director Drew Bierut interviewed Valen and produced a beautiful and impactful piece about Valen’s kidney journey that was shared as one of the “Mission Moments” during the Authors Luncheon.
Valen’s speech at the Authors Luncheon VIP event.
Link to watch the full Authors Luncheon VIP event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbwJG-ySN4
The “Mission Moment” segment featuring Valen’s kidney journey.
Link to watch the full Authors Luncheon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZD6SlQUg6k
October 2021
Hope Week – Renal Support Network’s 28th Annual National Online Patient Education Meeting. Valen was a panelist on the Transplant Experiences of Hope Panel, where she shared her first-hand experiences, valuable insights and inspiration to the kidney community on what it takes to thrive while living with kidney disease and as a dual-transplant recipient.
October 2021
ACES Conference - Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Division of the American Counseling Association. Valen shared her transplant journey in an interview with Dr. Cristen Wathen during the following education session: Transplanting Hope - Training counselors to work with severe chronic illness and organ transplantation in integrative health care settings.
September 2021
Be The Gift Connections – Valen was interviewed by Tennessee Donor Services during this educational program sharing her experience as a participant in the Johns Hopkins research study and getting her third COVID vaccine. The program takes a closer look at the situation that transplant patients find themselves in as it relates to the COVID vaccine and the booster now available to the immunocompromised.
July 2021
CareDX virtual town hall – Valen shared her inspiring transplant journey to the staff at CareDX to help exemplify how transformative transplantation is. Her impactful story was a powerful reminder of why their work is so important.
June 2021
PhRMA Researcher Fly-In - Valen was virtually interviewed by Andrew Powaleny, Senior Director at PhRMA during the PhRMA researcher fly-in prep session. Valen shared her powerful story, the importance of continued pharmaceutical innovation and her gratitude to all of the biopharmaceutical researchers from numerous PhRMA member companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, Eli Lilly and many others who were in attendance.
April 2021
Facebook Live broadcast where Valen is interviewed on Kidney Stories 2 by Jim Myers, 2019 National Kidney Foundation Advocate of the Year. Tune in for an inspiring and touching conversation between the two about Valen's health journey, advocacy and how she maintains such a positive attitude despite all she has endured.
March 2021
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - The State of the Science of Solid Organ Transplantation and Disability: A Workshop. Valen was a panelist in Session 3 - Experiences of Organ Recipients and their Caregivers - where she shared her personal perspective as a kidney and liver transplant recipient.
Link to watch the National Academies 1.5-day public workshop:
March 2021
Wasatch Recovery Treatment Center - Valen shared her journey and how she has overcome adversity to help inspire and empower the residents at the recovery treatment center.
March 2021
HOSA - Future Health Professionals at Nicolet High School in WI - Valen virtually joined the Chris Klug Foundation and shared her transplant journey and the importance of organ donation to help educate this international student organization who are interested in pursuing careers in health science/medical-related professions.
Part 1
Part 2
February 2021
Sierra Donor Services all-staff meeting - Valen virtually shared her organ transplant journey during the Connect to Purpose part of their meeting.
2020
December 2020
CareDx's Newly Expanded CLIA Lab Ribbon Cutting - Valen virtually attended via a Double 3 videoconferencing robot giving her a physical presence (since she could not attend in person due to COVID), at this event where she shared her story and did the countdown for the ribbon cutting.
November 2020
Locks of Legacy Memorial Event - paying tribute to donor heroes and donor families with the launch of a donor memorial wall at Sierra Donor Services. Valen virtually shared her transplant journey during this special ceremony and expressed her gratitude to donor families and how their loved ones gifts positively transform recipients lives.
Valen’s Speech at Locks of Legacy Memorial Event
Locks of Legacy Memorial Event - Full Event
November 2020 (Canceled due to COVID-19)
Presenting with Dr. Cristen Wathen at the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) Conference - Tucson, AZ. Topic - Transplanting Hope: Working with Individuals and Families throughout the Organ Transplant Experience.
October 2020
Series of virtual presentations for Vitalant Blood Donation related to the need for blood during organ transplants and surgeries.
September 2020
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. virtual town hall, company-wide in the United States and Canada. Spoke on a panel as the patient representative for the kidney and ADPKD community sharing our greatest needs, challenges and hopes to help guide Otsuka in creating resources that serve the best interests of the patients.
July 2020
Featured speaker in Otsuka America Pharmaceutical’s Building Mental Resiliency three-part video series, alongside the National Kidney Foundation and Mental Health America. Valen discussed mental wellness in the kidney and transplant community and ways to cope while managing chronic conditions during COVID-19.
May 2020
Palo Alto University counselors-in-training class via Zoom. Topic - the emotional and family systems impact of genetic diseases, the organ transplant process, and COVID-19 to increase knowledge and awareness among mental health professionals.
April 2020
Valen and her husband, Noah, had a sit down interview, during Donate Life Month, with Chris Klug from the Chris Klug Foundation. They shared how they are staying positive during all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.
February 2020
Garden of Life Gala, hosted by Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University - St. Louis, MO
2019
November 2019
MA Counseling Professional Identity Class. Topic - Emotional Contexts and Mental Wellness for Chronic/Genetic Diseases – Palo Alto University, CA
October 2019
Del Oro High School with Sierra Donor Services - Loomis, California
October 2019
Patient Panel with the Chris Klug Foundation at Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego, CA
October 2019
Patient Panel with the Chris Klug Foundation at Scripps Green Hospital Center for Organ Transplant - San Diego, CA
September 2019
Kick-off ceremony for the PKD Foundation Sacramento Chapter Walk for PKD - Sacramento, CA
June 2019
Emcee and speaker alongside Sierra Donor Services at the Passport to Life Rotary Event - Auburn, CA
March 2019
University Kidney Research Organization Benefit Dinner - Beverly Hills, CA
2018
April 2018
Sierra Donor Service’s Blue & Green Day at the State Capitol – Sacramento, CA
2016
March 18, 2016
University Kidney Research Organization’s Benefit Dinner in Beverly Hills, California
February 2016
Auburn 49er Lions Club - Auburn, CA
January 2016
Soroptimist International of Auburn - Auburn, CA
2015
July 2015
UC Davis Medical Center - Davis, CA
May 2015
Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Gala celebrating the release of the first treatment for PKD in Canada - Montreal, Quebec
2014
March 13, 2014
UC Davis Medical Center - Davis, CA
2012
December 2012
University Kidney Research Organization Benefit Dinner - Beverly Hills, CA
September 2012
Kick-off ceremony for the PKD Foundation Denver Chapter Walk for PKD - Denver, CO
May 2012
Bay Area Association of Kidney Patients - Palo Alto, CA
May 2012
Rotary Club - Auburn, CA
April 2012
DMV event with Sierra Donor Services - Truckee, CA
2011
September 2011
Dallastown Intermediate School Assembly – Dallastown, PA
2010
December 2010
Donate Life Rose Parade Float Rider Gala - Pasadena, CA
August 2010
California State Charitable Giving Campaign - Sacramento, CA
June 2010
PKD Foundation Denver Chapter event – Denver, CO
April 2010
Memorial Hospital Grand Round Lectures Forum - York, PA
April 2010
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon - Mt. Joy, PA
April 2010
Johns Hopkins University lecture with Dr. Watnick - Baltimore, MD
March 2010
Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania Patient Family Workshop – Harrisburg, PA
February 2010
PINK, breast cancer support group, meeting - York, PA
February 2010
Dallastown Middle School Assembly – Dallastown, PA
January 2010
South Western High School - PA
January 2010
National Capitol PKD Chapter of the PKD Foundation Meeting – Washington, DC
2009
December 2009
Milanof-Schock Library – Elizabethtown, PA
December 2009
Opening of Dallastown School District’s Intermediate School – Dallastown, PA
November 2009
South Western Leadership Team meeting - PA
November 2009
Eastern York Leadership Team meeting - PA
October 2009
6th to 8th grade assembly at Dallastown School District - PA
October 2009
Leadership Team Meeting at Dallastown School District - PA
September 2009
An Evening of Hope and Inspiration event hosted by the Texas PKD Chapter of the PKD Foundation – TX
September 2009
Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center Annual Meeting – York, PA
July 2009
Women’s Network of York Book Club – York, PA
May 2009
3rd grade assembly at Hayshire Elementary School - York, PA
April 2009
Johns Hopkins University lecture with Dr. Watnick – Baltimore, MD
March 2009
Women’s Network of York monthly meeting – York, PA
2008
November 2008
Unity Church Book Club - Palmyra, PA
November 2008
PKD Seminar - Baltimore, MD
November 2008
Veteran’s Day American Legion Banquet - PA
September 2008
Dale Carnegie Regional Meeting - PA
2007-2004
March 2007
Addressed the Congressional Kidney Caucus to help pass the GINA act – Washington, DC
June 2006
PKD Foundation Conference - Washington, DC
June 2005
PKD Foundation Conference - Anaheim, CA
July 2004
Stewartstown Lioness Club – Stewartstown, PA
July 2004
Stewartstown Lions Club – Stewartstown, PA