About Us

Mission

The Needle Phobia Alliance unites patients, doctors, nurses, other health care providers and allied professionals, as well as mental health practitioners, activists, and educators, in order to enable prevention, management, and healing of needle phobia and related conditions. This is accomplished through referrals, training and educational programs, support groups, and other services and programs.

Vision

The Needle Phobia Alliance envisions a future in which patients are empowered to take charge of their well-being and providers can comfortably and confidently assist patients with needle phobia, and patients at risk for needle phobia. Further, the organization works for a time when people do not die or suffer needlessly due to avoidance of critical medical care as a result of their fear.

About the Board of Directors

Chris Wang-Kildegaard

Founder, Director, & President

Chris Wang-Kildegaard (he/him) is a graduate student in the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. He has worked with both children and adults as a counseling trainee. He recently also led workshops to help people with needle phobia. Chris has lived experience with needle phobia and is one of the founders and moderators of a Facebook support group for needle phobia.

Jay Huerta

Director & Chief Financial Officer

Jay (they/them) identifies as trans and non-binary and has lived experience with needle phobia. Jay has a bachelor’s in sociology and eventually hopes to study to become an ASL interpreter. When not working on projects for The Needle Phobia Alliance, Jay manages a grocery store and spends time with their cat.

Erik Sellin

Director & Secretary

Having dealt with severe needle phobia for decades, in 2021 Erik, was able to get the Covid vaccine–the first vaccine of any kind in 30 years, thanks to the support of–and resources found through–the community.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We believe that running a diverse, inclusive organization is crucial to success. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex, ability status, or any other similar trait. We welcome the perspectives and contributions of people from all walks of life. Furthermore, we especially seek to serve those most affected by needle phobia, and acknowledge the need to apply intersectional principles to our work to accomplish this goal.

Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that our organization is based in the State of California, which is home to over 100 tribal nations, and furthermore that we provide virtual services across the United States, which is home to many more such tribal nations. We acknowledge that we are on the unceded lands of these indigenous peoples, and that land acknowledgements are a starting point in working with indigenous communities to secure meaningful partnership and inclusion in the stewardship and protection of their cultural resources and homelands. We invite and encourage all visitors, donors, and users of our services to honor these ancestral grounds and support the resilience and strength that all indigenous peoples have shown worldwide. Find out more about the unceded native land that you are on here.

(Adapted from California State University, San Marcos’ toolkit.)