Bill Gavigan

Bill Gavigan has over 25 years experience as a small business owner and is currently working as a consultant in the printing industry.

Bill’s family was affected by Autoimmune Encephalitis when his daughter Emily became ill in 2010. Bill, Emily and Bill’s wife Grace, have dedicated much of their time to spreading the word about AE by participating in several national/international media appearances including CNN, BBC, NBC Today Show, and The New York Post, as well as other national and local platforms.

Bill believes strongly that awareness is key as Emily was misdiagnosed for over a year before finally getting her diagnosis of Anti-NMDA Autoimmune Encephalitis.  At the time there were no resources available for patients and caregivers, so Bill and Grace navigated the complicated healthcare system to advocate for Emily’s diagnosis and treatment.

Bill is humbled to be serving on the Board of AEA and hopes to help expand the reach of the Alliance and to continue the mission of physician education, research, and support for families and patients who are suffering.

Bill graduated from the University of Scranton, and he and Grace live in Pennsylvania.

Why are you involved with AE Alliance?

I am involved with the AE Alliance because I feel very strongly that the work we are doing is meaningful and is positively impacting people’s lives. You don’t get many opportunities in life to have this kind of impact. What we are doing is important and people need us to forge ahead.