Our story

The Vigilant Advocate was founded to meet an important need in healthcare: navigation support and advocacy for parents and caregivers who have children with undiagnosed or complex healthcare needs.

In 2017, Kristen Best’s son, AJ, was sent home from school sick at the start of his 6th grade year. AJ never went back to school that year. He suffered from debilitating symptoms. He was hospitalized multiple times. He underwent many, many tests. He was prescribed many, many drugs. He saw many, many specialists. He never had a diagnosis. Without a diagnosis, the Bests were left to navigate the health system on their own.

With luck and persistence, the Bests found an answer. They discovered that AJ had an allergy to a type of indoor mold that was growing, invisibly, just above his room. AJ had become sick in September with an unknown issue; he remained sick because of the mold. Once the Bests remediated the mold, they got AJ back. AJ now is a healthy, happy, 18 year old boy getting ready for his senior year of high school.

Experiencing the lack of support in navigating the health system, Kristen set out to build an organization to help families like hers. Hence, she founded the Vigilant Advocate. The goal of the Vigilant Advocate is to provide caregivers needed advocacy, resources, and support as they navigate the health system.