Our Story and Mission

The DRESS Syndrome Foundation was born out of profound grief and a shared determination to prevent other families from experiencing the devastation caused by DRESS. In 2019, families affected by DRESS came together to raise awareness, support patients and loved ones, and advocate for better recognition and care of this life-threatening condition.

 

As the Foundation has grown, so too has its mission, scope, and leadership. Today, the DRESS Syndrome Foundation continues its work under the leadership of its Founder and Executive Director, Tasha Tolliver, in close collaboration with patients, clinicians, researchers, and partners around the world.

 

Our ultimate goal is to help create a world where drug reactions are predictable, recognizable, and treatable — a world where families like Hannah’s and Izzy’s would not have been lost.

 

Behind the work of the DRESS Syndrome Foundation are real people and lived experience. Izzy and Hannah were young women whose lives were cut short by DRESS. Their stories reflect the devastating consequences of delayed recognition, limited awareness, and gaps in understanding that too many families still face today.

 

We share their stories in honor of their lives and in service of patients and families navigating DRESS today.

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Below are the stories of Izzy and Hannah, shared to help others affected by DRESS.