Eric Drew

Eric Drew is a patient advocate, keynote speaker, and the founder and chairman of The WeHeal Foundation, also known as the Eric Drew Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on empowering patients and improving access to medical care globally. A former runway model and vice president of several Silicon Valley global firms, Drew's life changed when he was diagnosed at age 35 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of cancer. His initial treatment at Stanford Medical Center included chemotherapy, radiation, and two failed bone marrow transplants.

After two years of intensive treatment at major hospitals, Drew pursued alternative options through self-advocacy and international medical collaboration. He ultimately underwent an experimental double cord blood stem cell transplant, becoming one of the first adults in the United States to survive this procedure for terminal leukemia. During his treatment, Drew also faced identity theft by a medical worker, leading him to become the first person to secure a federal criminal conviction under the Health Information Privacy (HIPAA) laws.

Drew's experiences led to the creation of WeHeal, a global platform designed to empower patients and transform access to medical care. The foundation has assisted thousands of patients in navigating complex medical challenges, evolving from an advocacy initiative for adult leukemia patients to a worldwide network connecting individuals with innovative treatments, expert guidance, and life-saving resources. WeHeal operates as an information portal and "CrowdHealing" platform, featuring over 400 advocate and discussion communities focused on specific diseases, cancer types, and key topics in medical, health, and wellness. The platform brings together doctors, researchers, and advocates to centralize discussion and educate the public.

Drew is recognized as a keynote speaker, writer, spokesperson, and advocate for both consumers and patients. His work has been featured on MSN.com and in major news publications such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Discover Magazine. He has appeared on television and radio programs including "CNN Morning Show," "Dateline NBC," "NPR Market Report," "Montel Williams," and "Geraldo." Drew has delivered more than 200 keynote presentations at medical centers, academic institutions, and conferences worldwide, including a keynote TED talk at the first TEDx event hosted at Netflix headquarters. He has also been recognized as a Crystal Bowl winner at the San Jose Junior League's Annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon.

Drew serves as vice president of business development and patient advocacy at Aloha Health Network, a technology company utilizing artificial intelligence to match patients with optimal clinical trials. In addition to his professional speaking engagements and business leadership, he dedicates significant time to consulting on individual patient cases and advancing the mission of the foundation. Drew's story highlights survival, self-advocacy, and a commitment to systemic change in healthcare, patient empowerment, identity protection, and the advancement of emerging medical technologies.