Our Members

Suzanne Blowers

Suzanne Blowers was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in 2016 and with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and ITP in 2019.  She is a retired CPA and investment manager, as well as a former trustee of a small rural health system.  She found the Histiocytosis Association when searching for information about her rare disease.  She became a volunteer, especially interested in supporting research, as well as in raising awareness among members of the medical community of these rare diseases.  She serves as a Histio Ambassador, a program of the Histiocytosis Association, to support the histio community. 

Melinda Atnip

Melinda Atnip is a patient advocate, caregiver, and nonprofit leader dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by rare diseases. Her advocacy journey began when her husband, Barry, was diagnosed with Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD), giving her firsthand insight into the challenges of navigating a rare disease diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care. That experience fuels her passion for connecting patients and caregivers with the support, education, and resources they need.

As the Program and Outreach Coordinator for the Histiocytosis Association, Melinda oversees the organization’s outreach initiatives, Ambassador Program, and virtual support group programs, creating opportunities for patients, caregivers, and families to build meaningful connections while expanding awareness and education about histiocytic disorders. She collaborates with volunteers, healthcare professionals, and community partners to strengthen patient engagement and foster a supportive, informed rare disease community.

Before joining the Histiocytosis Association, Melinda built a career in education, serving as an elementary school teacher in both self-contained and art history classrooms. After transitioning to full-time motherhood, she devoted many years to volunteer leadership, advocating for educational services, enrichment opportunities, and youth athletic programs in her community.
These experiences strengthened her skills in program development, collaboration, communication, and community building—skills she now applies to her work in rare disease advocacy.

Melinda is passionate about empowering patients through education, strengthening peer support networks, and ensuring that every individual and family affected by histiocytosis feels seen, heard, and connected. She is honored to serve on this board, bringing both her personal perspective as a caregiver and her professional expertise in patient outreach, education, and community engagement to help advance meaningful change for the rare disease histio community.

Brinda Shukla

Hi! I'm Brinda, a pediatric histiocytosis survivor and current medical student! I was diagnosed with Rosai-Dorfman Disease in 2017 at the age of 13. My rare disease journey inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, with the goal of becoming a hematologist-oncologist. As someone who is passionate about patient advocacy, I am looking forward to serving as a patient advocate for the HistioCare Network.