Caryl Harris 

PATIENT ADVOCATE ACTION COLLECTIVE MEMBER

Caryl Harris is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Avery's Hope, a patient assistance organization dedicated to supporting rare, ultra-rare, and undiagnosed pediatric GI patient families. Founded in 2017, Avery's Hope was inspired by Caryl’s grandson, Avery, who lives with Microvillus Inclusion Disease. Avery’s journey gave Caryl and her family a front-row seat to the rare disease community, sparking her passion for advocacy.

Caryl co-founded Avery’s Hope with her husband, Eric, with a mission to "pay it forward" by helping families manage the financial burden of out-of-pocket and insurance-denied expenses related to rare gastrointestinal diseases.

She is also a founding member of WRAP (Worldwide Rare Advocacy Partnership), collaborating with advocates globally on issues impacting the rare disease community. Additionally, Caryl is a former member of the Rare Advocacy Movement (RAM), a leadership network focused on building collaborations within the rare disease community.

Avery's Hope is a member of the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and Caryl represents the organization in partnerships with the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases and Global Genes' Rare Patient Alliance. 

Caryl holds an M.A. in English Literature from Rutgers University and an A.B.A. from the Department of Education.