About Jamie

Welcome to my bio page! Here, you can learn about me and my commitment to educating the public on the importance of vaccination for a healthy and safe community. Read more about her Bio here, and thank you for connecting.

Jamie schanbaum

Jamie Schanbaum was born in Dallas, Texas, in October 1988, as the fourth child of Bob and Patsy Schanbaum. Her childhood was filled with classic 90s adventures—summer camps, bicycle gangs, swimming in creeks, watching Nickelodeon, and countless visits to Blockbuster. Her family’s resilience and zest for life have always been at the heart of her story.

After her siblings moved off to college, Jamie and her mom relocated to Austin, where she attended a new high school and later enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Initially aspiring to become a pharmacist, Jamie’s plans shifted after her battle with meningitis, leading her to pursue a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. Her journey of survival and advocacy has been extraordinary—she’s survived meningitis, founded a nonprofit, contributed to passing laws in Texas, and earned a place on the U.S. Paralympic cycling team.

Throughout college, Jamie began sharing her story on public platforms—via speaking tours, media interviews, and collaborations with celebrities—raising awareness about meningitis and disability advocacy. She also worked with various pharmaceutical companies and became a recognized voice in her community.

After two decades in Austin, Jamie made the move to New York City in fall 2023. She’s embraced city life with enthusiasm—even on the tough days—and has become an active advocate in her Brooklyn community. Jamie has spoken directly with city officials and is working to educate on meningitis prevention, with the goal that no one should endure what she did. She’s also making connections at the New York State Capitol to promote meningitis vaccination efforts and advocate for legislative change.

When she’s not working on advocacy or her role as a growth manager in business development, Jamie enjoys live music, good food, spending time with friends and her beloved dog Billie Jean, reading in the park, and soaking in the vibrant life of New York City. Though she misses Texas, she’s grateful for the new adventures and opportunities that each day brings.