Day 1 - Gavin Marshall - Development of Sjogrens Australia

"Men don't get Sjögren's." "You're just anxious." "There are no treatments anyway." What happens when a firefighter, a dad, and a previously healthy man is dismissed by the very system he trusts?In this powerful and inspiring session, Gavin Marshall shares his personal journey from a frustrating, years-long struggle for a diagnosis to founding a national patient advocacy organization. Hear the raw details of being dismissed by multiple specialists, the moment a doctor finally said, "I believe you," and the determination that led him to build Sjögren’s Australia from the ground up with no budget—only motivation.Watch this session to understand the unique challenges faced by men with Sjögren's and to witness an incredible story of turning a negative into a positive to ensure no one has to navigate this disease alone.EPISODE IN A GLANCE00:00 Not Your Typical Sjogren's Patient01:09 A Frustrating Diagnostic Journey03:42 The Rheumatologist Gauntlet07:09 The Turning Point and Diagnosis09:11 From Patient to Advocate10:53 Building Sjogren's Australia14:29 Marker14:42 Our Mission and Vision17:33 A Final Message of HopeABOUT GAVIN MARSHALLGavin Marshall is a leading firefighter, qualified plumber, and the founding director of Sjögren’s Australia. After being diagnosed with Sjögren’s following years of unexplained fatigue, joint pain, and medical dismissal, Gavin turned his personal struggle into a mission to help others. He founded Sjögren’s Australia to raise awareness, advocate for patients, and push for better research and support across the country. His journey has been shaped by resilience, loss, and a deep desire to ensure others don’t face this disease alone. Balancing family life, firefighting, and chronic illness, Gavin is committed to creating lasting change.CONNECT WITH GAVIN MARSHALLFacebook → https://www.facebook.com/sjogrensausWebsite → www.sjogrensaustralia.com.auDonate to Sjogren's AUstralia → https://buy.stripe.com/3cs6oT0pk7h715mcMMABOUT THE VIRTUAL SJOGREN'S SUMMITThe Virtual Sjögren's Summit is an annual patient-led online event dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education and fostering a supportive global community for everyone touched by Sjögren's. Our mission is to build networks of support, knowledge, and hope.SLIDES LINKhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1LtYhID1hncQvjAB5LPW_lqlWxolqKLyz/view?usp=drive_link