Sean Baumstark, of Sacramento, California, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in 2007 at 25 years old. He reframes what’s effective when it comes to raising awareness about FA.

Maybe not all awareness is going to raise millions of dollars, but I think everything is helpful, whether it’s a one-on-one conversation at a coffee shop or a bake sale or a multimillion-dollar gala, even a fundraiser. It all helps. Even if it only changes the mind or better informs one person, it’s still valuable.