Janet Brewer
Co-founder / Chief Executive Officer

jbrewer@ches.education

Janet was immersed in the world of bleeding disorders nearly five decades ago, when her brother was born with severe hemophilia A. Twenty years later, her son Christopher was born with severe hemophilia A. A second son, Stephen was also diagnosed with hemophilia A, and daughter Mikayla is a carrier. Her work in founding CHES Foundation and growing the organization’s impact and influence is truly a labor of love and the family business.

Never one to settle for half measures, Janet has devoted her life to learning everything she can about rare bleeding disorders and inhibitors, then sharing that knowledge with individuals with disorders, their families and their medical care providers. She brings an unmatched passion to her work as an advocate, educator and supporter. For her, this is personal.

Her work with CHES has drawn national and international attention to bleeding disorders and the need for education and enlightenment in the medical community. On a national level, she has spoken, along with her son Stephen, on the impact of inhibitors, immune tolerance therapies and use of plasma-derived products.

Drawing upon her experience as an educator, Janet has written articles and presented at chapter symposiums on advocating for your child and developing 504 or IEPs for those affected by bleeding disorders. She has spoken at a local level to educate school nurses and personnel, as well as to the medical students at Tufts University to educate them about living with a bleeding disorder. 

Prior to founding CHES, Janet served as the Director of Program Development and Education for a small home healthcare company, developing and presenting educational programs for members of the hemophilia community. 

Over the years, Janet has served as the Alternate Director for Region I for the National Hemophilia Foundation, as well as a volunteer with the New England Hemophilia Association. She also served a two-year term on the Novo Nordisk Consumer Council.

Janet worked for twenty years in the public schools, teaching and advocating for children with unique learning needs as a special education teacher and reading specialist. She earned a Masters Degree in Education from Simmons College in 2004.   

Eric Lowe
Co-founder/Chief Operations Officer

elowe@ches.education

Eric Lowe is a driving force behind the positive impact CHES Foundation is having on the bleeding disorders community. A tireless advocate for individuals with bleeding disorders and their families, Eric has also taken on the task of educating the medical community about the many aspects of the disorder spectrum that remain misunderstood.

Eric understands because he lives with it every day. He was diagnosed at birth with Severe Hemophilia A. Shortly after, his immune system developed an antibody that fought against the preferred medication to treat his bleeding disorder; often referred to as inhibitors. As an inhibitor patient, Eric relies on bypassing products and has faced many obstacles in the process.

Since 2008, Eric has practiced daily treatment regimens to overcome his inhibitors. Over the years, Eric has undergone various procedures and surgeries to remain an active and healthy individual with a chronic disorder. Today he serves as a role model, enjoying an active and fulfilling life with his wife and young daughters.

So it was an easy decision for Eric to co-create CHES to help fulfill its mission of education and advocacy. He manages communications for the organization, including serving as editor, publisher and designer of the ground-breaking LifeLines for Health™ newsletter.

Eric has become an instrumental component in forums for patients, as well as medical staff training.  He has spoken at symposiums and educational events, focusing on advocacy for teens and young adults. He has written several articles addressing various topics, such as employment with a chronic illness, physical fitness with limitations, and disclosing medical information in the workplace. Eric also served a two-year term on a patient advisory council for a highly regarded drug manufacturer.

Eric received his BA at Ball State University in 2004, then worked in the Education and Program Development Department of a specialty pharmacy company. As the Associate Director, he provided education to patients and their family members in efforts to promote health and wellness for living better lives with a bleeding disorder.

Eric has been featured as an advocacy resource for companies in the bleeding disorder industry as he has been featured in several collateral and newsletter pieces. You can read more about Eric in the National Hemophilia Foundation’s HemAware magazine’s article, “Joint Replacement Surgery in People with Inhibitors.”

Heather Case
Director of Advocacy and Outreach

hcase@ches.education

Heather has worked in the bleeding disorder community for over 10 years, beginning her journey at the New England Hemophilia Association (NEHA), where she developed and ran educational programs and directed the annual NEHA Family Camp. She briefly worked at Save One Life before moving to the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA). At HFA, Heather led the Education Team, oversaw the collaborative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and collaborated with subject matter experts nationwide to create educational content for HFA's annual Symposium. Her prior work experience includes teaching high school Spanish, working at Big Brothers Big Sisters, and contributing over 4,000 hours of community service through AmeriCorps.

Heather earned her Master's of Education at Boston University and a Strategic Leadership for Women certification from Simmons University. For her bachelor's degree, she double-majored in Comparative Literature and Spanish at the University of Oregon. Additionally, Heather is a strong advocate for mental health awareness and led the initiative at HFA to provide Mental Health First Aid training to community members across the country.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys a variety of activities that bring balance and joy to her life. She finds creative fulfillment in pottery. She is an avid reader and loves getting lost in the pages of a good book. Heather is also passionate about hiking that brings a sense of solace and adventure. Above all, she values quality time with her family and friends, cherishing moments of laughter and connection.

Christopher Brewer
Director of Program Development and Social Media

cbrewer@ches.education

Christopher Brewer fills an essential and critical role with CHES Foundation by managing all programs and the elements involved, continuing and creating education for the patients and families we serve, and holds the key position of managing the data behind the scenes.

Coming from a family of hemophilia and a patient himself with Severe Hemophilia A with a history of an inhibitor, Christopher has unique insight into the community, the challenges, and how to provide support for those who truly need it.

Christopher is the forefront in our program recruitment, family communications, and leader for the teen track initiative at our live events. His background in educational endeavors at Wentworth Institute of Technology and Cape Cod College include electromechanical engineering, computer science, outdoor education and an AA in Environmental Studies. Christopher’s experience provides a pivotal advantage in all aspects that allows CHES to bring support and strength to the bleeding disorder community

Joan Ward
Director of Event Operations

jward@ches.education

Joan has been a valued member of the dynamic CHES team since inception in 2009, bringing with her a strong background in hotel sales and marketing. She plays a vital role in the strategic selection of event locations, utilizing her expertise to negotiate contracts with properties and subcontractors while meticulously reviewing financial data for accuracy.

In her role, Joan oversees the planning and execution of a diverse range of live and virtual meetings, ensuring that every logistical detail is handled with precision. Her dedication to excellence shines through as she provides on-site support and closely monitors budgets to maintain financial stability, all while preparing detailed financial reports for the grantor.

With a deep-seated commitment to service, Joan dedicates her time not only to CHES but also to her community. Outside of work, she finds solace in her passion for yoga and her love of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and trail running.

Joan holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, showcasing her academic prowess and dedication to personal growth and development.