Srilakshmi Nalam is a prominent patient advocate and social impact leader who serves as Founder Director – Patient Advocacy at the Cure SMA Foundation of India, a nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Based in Hyderabad, she has emerged as a powerful voice for rare disease awareness, access to treatment, and stronger patient-centric healthcare policies in India.

Driven by personal experience as a parent of a child living with SMA, Srilakshmi transformed her family’s journey into a mission to build a national support ecosystem for rare disease communities. As a co-founder and trustee of the foundation, she has played a pivotal role in establishing one of India’s most active patient-led advocacy movements for SMA. The organization works to provide family counseling, genetic counseling, awareness programs, and patient support initiatives while advocating for improved access to life-saving therapies and multidisciplinary clinical care.

Through her leadership in patient advocacy, Srilakshmi has helped bring national attention to the challenges faced by families dealing with rare genetic disorders, including limited awareness, delayed diagnosis, and extremely high treatment costs. She has actively engaged with policymakers, healthcare institutions, and the broader medical community to promote early screening, strengthen rare disease infrastructure, and encourage collaborative solutions between government, researchers, clinicians, and patient groups.

Under her guidance, the Cure SMA Foundation of India has grown into a pan-India network supporting patients through counseling services, awareness campaigns, SMA clinics, and community-driven initiatives that empower families navigating complex care pathways. The organization has also organized large-scale public awareness events such as the “Run/Ride for SMA” campaigns in Hyderabad, mobilizing communities to raise awareness and build support for those living with the condition.

Through persistent advocacy and community leadership, Srilakshmi Nalam continues to champion the rights and needs of rare disease patients in India. Her work reflects a broader vision of creating an inclusive healthcare ecosystem where early diagnosis, equitable access to treatment, and sustained patient support can transform the lives of individuals and families affected by genetic disorders.