A Personal Story for World Anemia Awareness Day 2025
One in three women in the United States lives with iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia[1], yet many of us don't talk about it. As we approach World Anemia Awareness Day 2025, I want to share my story—not just as the CEO of Sanguina but as someone who has lived with anemia my entire life. My journey from a dizzy third-grader to a mother and healthcare innovator has taught me valuable lessons about managing health, pursuing dreams, and creating change.
Growing up with anemia meant learning early on that I was different from my peers. One memory stands out vividly: I was in third grade at Joella C. Good Elementary in Hialeah, Florida. During P.E., we each had designated spots marked with spray paint on the pavement. I remember running to my dark blue spot, getting on my knees, and suddenly seeing stars. The blue spot transformed into a navy night sky that consumed my vision. When I regained consciousness, I was surrounded by concerned classmates and teachers, my body tingling with pins and needles. That day ended with an ambulance visit, missed classes, and a new iron supplement prescription. The next day, I returned to school as "the girl who died"—a mortifying label for an introverted third-grader who preferred books to the spotlight.
In high school, heavy menstrual periods introduced new stresses onto my body's iron stores, and it took several months of trial and error with my doctors to adjust my treatment plan to avoid anemia episodes. Understanding how to manage these cycles would become crucial in the years ahead. The transition to college brought new challenges. Like many young adults managing chronic conditions, I struggled with the shift from parent-supervised care to independence. My erratic eating schedule and inconsistent iron supplement routine led to several anemic episodes. Climbing a single flight of stairs left me winded, and making morning classes became a genuine challenge. But this period also brought an unexpected turning point.
In 2011, I met Wilbur Lam and Rob Mannino. As a hematologist, Wilbur had treated countless patients with anemia. Rob's personal experience with chronic anemia from beta-thalassemia helped me realize I wasn't alone and that anemia affects many different groups of people. Our complementary skills—Wilbur’s clinical and engineering background, my chemistry background, and Rob’s computational expertise—laid the foundation for what would become Sanguina's innovative approach to anemia management.
Working with Rob opened my eyes to the broader impact we could have on anemia management, but it was my personal journey into motherhood that truly crystallized our mission. Pregnancy with anemia brought its own set of challenges, deepening my understanding of why accessible monitoring solutions are so crucial. I learned the importance of early detection, especially in the third trimester when an iron infusion can help prepare for delivery. [2] This experience reinforced something I now tell every expectant mother dealing with anemia: you deserve to ask questions, to be heard, and to advocate for your health. Pregnancy is one of the most significant medical journeys your body will undertake—you're entitled to understand every step.
Today, as both a mother and CEO, my relationship with anemia management has evolved dramatically. My mornings begin at 7 AM with family wake-up time, followed by using our smartphone app to track my iron score trends. Work days are packed with leading Sanguina's mission to make blood health monitoring more accessible, while evenings are dedicated to family dinners and precious moments with my children. The technology we've developed—the very tools I dreamed about as that dizzy third-grader—now helps others monitor their health without frequent blood draws.
Looking back, I often think about what I would tell my younger self sitting in those doctor's offices. The journey from venous blood draws to developing a smartphone app that uses “fingernail selfies” to estimate the likelihood of iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia would have seemed like science fiction to that girl—like the Tricorder straight out of Star Trek that would have amazed her. But here we are, transforming how people monitor and manage anemia.
As we observe World Anemia Awareness Day 2025, I want to emphasize that anemia shouldn't be a silent struggle. Whether you're a student feeling winded on the playground, a college freshman learning to manage your health independently, or a working parent balancing multiple responsibilities, your experience matters. Knowing your baseline, understanding your body's patterns, and having accessible tools to monitor your health can transform your daily life. After all, who doesn't want to feel better and live better?
The journey from that blue spot on the playground to leading a healthcare technology company has taught me that our personal challenges often guide us toward our greatest achievements. At Sanguina, we're not just developing technology; we're creating the solutions I wished for throughout my journey with anemia. And we're just getting started.
Erika Tyburski
CEO, Sanguina
