In the bustling metropolis of São Paulo, Brazil, lives Andréa Soares Dedea, the innovative and inspirational founder of Crossing Connection Health. This digital solutions company is bridging the technological gap and mending the broken links of healthcare for rare and debilitating diseases. With Andréa at the helm, her passion, dedication, and vision illuminate a path for a brighter future.
“I aim to change the landscape of exclusion, misinformation, and loneliness experienced by these individuals and the entire community, especially in Brazil,” says Andréa, whose own battle with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Keratoconus fueled her ambition to create Crossing Connection Health. “It was created with combined purpose and passion to change the scenario of exclusion, misinformation, and loneliness of rare disease patients,” she shares. This tech‑driven platform connects patients, health professionals, researchers, institutions, and society, forming a powerful network. Her mission? “To break geographical barriers; connect support networks; strengthen empathy and safety for all; including and mapping the population, diseases, projects, and more; advocate for inclusion; and centralize content to enable the exchange of experiences for improved speed and accessibility of information.”
Andréa’s company is at the forefront of utilizing emerging technologies to create a tangible impact. From mapping populations and diseases to enabling efficient research and public policies, her approach aligns strongly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. When asked how emerging tech shapes her contributions, Andréa says: “Crossing Connection Health is a startup that uses emerging technology to create a platform that didn’t exist before. This platform can potentially revolutionize how people with rare and debilitating diseases receive healthcare.” She intimately understands that access to knowledge and connection is the first “great transformers of realities.” Andréa believes that for change to happen, we must start with what matters most: “the power of the collective and the importance of support because we believe we are better together.” Andréa aims to connect the entire network: patients, health professionals, the scientific community, institutions, and government so that together they can provide fundamental changes and improve the quality of life of every person with a rare and debilitating disease. Brazil counts 15,000,000 people with rare diseases, of which more than 70% are children. “We believe we can reach a quarter of the impacted population,” Andréa declares. For her, technology is a tool. “It’s up to us as a society to decide how the technology will be used. We can use it to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world – the choice is ours. Crossing Connection Health is mine,” Andréa emphasizes.
Andréa’s journey is more than a story of a businesswoman or a tech guru; it’s an emblem of empowerment, resilience, and community. As a Black woman, she faced obstacles that made everything “50% more difficult,” as she puts it. Yet, Andréa’s determination is unswayed. Her advice to other women forging a path in their fields is grounded in solidarity: “It is important to remember that you are not alone. We always have where to look for support, information, and hugs. And the result is just the end of a new beginning: Keep swimming!”
With an inspiring mantra emphasizing “we are better together” and a strong belief that technology “can and should help change the world,” Andréa’s vision for Crossing Connection Health has a scope far beyond any ordinary business endeavor. Her business addresses the dire needs of more than 15 million people in Brazil, with children making up more than 70% of those with rare diseases. “Our purpose is to connect the entire network so that together we can provide real changes and improve the quality of life of every person with a rare and debilitating disease.”
Andréa anticipates significant transformations in the healthcare industry in the coming years. “The trend is AI,” she shares. “I believe it will revolutionize how systems work in the world. And in health, it will have a huge impact on patient’s quality of life, time from diagnosis and new treatments and exams, as well as the great evolution in the issue of genetics more applied at the cutting edge.” These advancements are not mere speculations but a reality that Andréa actively contributes to through her innovative work, passion, and unwavering commitment to her community.
Andréa’s life and work are a testament to the power of connection, innovation, and empathy. Her journey exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to create positive change, empower communities, and build a better future. Her message to the world embodies her life’s mission: “You are not and don’t do anything alone.” In an age where technology often isolates, Andréa’s work reminds us of the profound connections we can forge and the lives we can transform through innovation and compassion. Her story is not merely inspiring but is a guiding beacon for all who seek to leverage technology for the betterment of humanity. The future is here, and people like Andréa are shaping it for the generations to come. Her work and vision pave the way for a more inclusive, empathetic, and connected world. It’s not just about building platforms but about constructing bridges connecting hearts, minds, and lives. It is a rallying cry for all of us to be a part of this exciting journey into a new era.
