About Jamie & Patsy

Welcome to our bio page! Here, you can learn about us, Jamie and Patsy, and our commitment to educating the public on the importance of vaccination for community health. Explore our values, experiences, and stories that shape our work. Thank you for connecting with us.

Jamie schanbaum

Born in Dallas in October 1988, Jamie grew up in a loving family with childhood filled with adventures—summer camps, bike rides, swimming, and community. After moving to Austin with her mom, she attended the University of Texas, initially aiming to become a pharmacist, and later earned a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences.

Jamie’s journey has been marked by resilience and advocacy. Surviving meningitis, she founded a nonprofit to raise awareness about meningitis prevention, contributed to important laws in Texas, and earned a place on the U.S. Paralympic cycling team. Her inspiring story has been shared widely through speaking engagements and media.

In fall 2023, Jamie relocated to New York City, where she continues her advocacy work in Brooklyn. She’s working with city officials and at the state level to promote meningitis vaccination and education. When not advocating, she enjoys live music, good food, reading in the park, and spending time with her dog Billie Jean.

Jamie is dedicated to making a difference—each day bringing new opportunities to inspire and educate others.

About Patsy schanbaum

Born in September 1955 in Brownsville, Texas, Patsy is the fourth of five children of Zeke and Annie Silva. In 1982, she and her husband Bob welcomed their first son, Nicholas, and later moved to Austin, where they had KC, Roni, and later Jamie in Dallas, TX.

After Bob’s passing, Patsy’s strength and dedication shone through as she raised her children on her own. She now lives in Austin, where she has been a dedicated realtor since 2010. A passionate Longhorns fan, Patsy has a tailgating group and loves to wear burnt orange. She’s also a proud grandma to six grandchildren, grinning with joy seeing her family thriving in Texas, and loves working with Jamie as much as possible.

Patsy’s resilience, love of family, and community spirit define her everyday life.