Victoria is a powerful example of a strong, successful entrepreneur who is warm, funny, eloquent, humble and kind. As her friend, I know that her story is a true heroine’s journey – and that it is still unfolding. She is so open about sharing all that she has learned – both the positive and the painful lessons. She demonstrates great strength and vulnerability, too, as she relates highly personal stories from her ‘against the odds’ life – from a sexual assault in high school that led her to drop out before graduation to the shock of a devastating diagnosis for one of her beloved children, and how that news has transformed her into a major force in the world of medical research and patient education. If you have the opportunity to host Victoria in your program: Do it. Listening to her life will change your own.
Gloria Steinem
Writer, Lecturer, Political Activist, and Feminist Organizer
Victoria Jackson is one of my closest friends and one smart, strong woman……if you read this book, you will learn something and see why I love and admire her so much.
Ellen DeGeneres
Victoria Jackson has been an endless source of inspiration to me. As a woman, mother, and close friend of the authors, I find this story deeply moving on so many levels. The work that I’ve seen Victoria, Ali and the Foundation undertake has been extraordinary, especially in bringing doctors together to share ideas and create a dialogue that wasn’t there before. As their experts grow closer to finding better, more effective treatments for this diseae, they can open the door for solutions to many other diseases– and that’s just incredible.
Reese Witherspoon
The Power of Rare is equal parts science and inspiration. In her urgent drive to help her daughter, Victoria Jackson not only transformed the competitive world of biomedical research, but also created a new medical model for generations to come.
Arianna Huffington
I once said that life is found in the dance between your deepest desire and your greatest fear. Saving Each Other is about a pathway where two women face their greatest fears and experience their deepest desires together as they take on an incurable disease. It’s quickly obvious this disease is no match for the powerful combination of a mother’s love and devotion with a child’s hope, determination and will. You will be moved and inspired as you go on a journey with these two extraordinary women and find newfound courage within yourself.
Anthony Robbins
Best-selling author, internationally acclaimed speaker and peak performance expert
My friend, Victoria Jackson, is remarkable – strong and smart, with a great sense of humor. I loved hosting her at my Women’s Conference in California and she was so gracious with her time and energy. Recently, I interviewed Victoria about her latest book, The Power of Rare, as one of my featured Architects of Change. She exemplifies the kind of person I spotlight: Someone who moves humanity forward and sees things that are not there — and works to make their visions a reality. Victoria has done that powerful work all of her life – most recently with the medical research foundation that she, her husband and their daughter, Ali, created to find a cure for Ali’s disease: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). The Power of Rare taps into what it takes to face a seemingly impossible challenge, break it down into do-able steps, catalyze the energy of others and go ‘all in’ toward finding solutions.
Maria Shriver
Journalist and Activist
The unstoppable power of these two extraordinary women is an unforgettable and inspirational experience you will carry in your heart forever.
Dustin Hoffman
What can I say about Victoria Jackson? She has the most incredible combination of heart, intelligence, generosity and courage. There is truly no one like her and I am blessed to call her my friend. Her engaging way with words and her warmth mesmerize audiences – I’ve seen it first hand. Participants are transformed and leave energized to pursue their own unique path to happiness.
Sherry Lansing
Entertainment industry pioneer and the first woman to head a major Hollywood Studio
Any parent or child will be moved and inspired by this story of how love and dedication can conquer pain and fear; a vivid reminder that there is nothing more powerful and enduring than the bond of mother and daughter.
Rob Lowe
The Power of Rare is as much a book about rare leadership as it is a true story of how one mother, with no background in health or medicine, has built a global movement to cure a life-threatening rare disease that impacts every nation of this earth. Her blueprint should be studied by all leaders as we come together solve diseases – rare and common alike.
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
President of the Republic of Mali
Victoria gave an incredible talk to our students . She spoke about her journey as an entrepreneur in the cosmetics industry, and her shift in focus to medicine with the creation of her foundation. The students’ response to Victoria stood out for a couple of reasons. First, all of the students lined up to shake her hand and thank her personally on the way out of the class. Second, the next week when the class met, many students, particularly young women, told me how much they loved hearing from her, and that they were inspired by her. Victoria brings a wonderful combination of accomplishment, humility and kindness, and we were lucky to hear her speak.
Laura Fox, Adjunct Professor
Philanthropy and Social Impact Course
USC Marshall School of Business
Victoria’s participation at our event was spectacular – her insights, vulnerability and genuine connection with the audience was palpable. Of our roster of 15 speakers, Victoria was in our top 3– and the bar was set incredibly high. So many of our attendees wanted to meet her after her on-stage chat with Wes. Highly recommend to others who are considering her for inclusion in their program.
Joshua Jordison
The Human Gathering 2018
In the last decade, neuromyelitis optica has evolved from being unknown to being a Rosetta stone in the understanding of autoimmune disease. In The Power of Rare, Victoria Jackson tells how she catalyzed this transformation by forging a community of medical and scientific allies to change thinking and solve problems. The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation has connected individual, institutional and national agendas to forge good will and collaboration to help patients. Through optimism, intellect, commitment and vision, she and her team have sped effective treatments and created a pathway to eventual cures.
Dr. Brian Weinshenker
MD, FRCP(C), Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic