Remembering Trish: A Beloved Member of the ICAN Family 

Some people spend their lives searching for purpose. Trish lived hers.

To those of us at ICAN, Patricia “Trish” Neuenschwander was family. She was the beloved wife of our Board President, Dr. Neu. She was also a fierce advocate, a trusted friend, and a deeply loved member of this community. She believed wholeheartedly in ICAN’s mission and stood beside us in our work to protect children and support families searching for answers.

“Trish was one of the greatest medical freedom activists I’ve ever met,” said ICAN Founder and CEO Del Bigtree. “Driven by righteous indignation yet grounded by a wonderful sense of humor and one of the most radiant smiles to have ever lit up this planet. Her time here was not wasted, and I feel blessed to have been in her orbit.”

Family meant everything to Trish. Her children and grandchildren came first. Always. They were the center of her world, and her commitment to protecting children shaped every part of her life and work.

ICAN Chief Operating Officer and Trish’s dear friend, Catharine Layton, remembers a woman whose intelligence was matched by her deep devotion to those she loved.

“I first met Trish at an ACIP meeting at the CDC, and I remember being immediately struck by how incredibly intelligent and articulate she was. Every time she spoke, it was clear she had done the work and was committed to seeking the truth with integrity and courage. As much as I admired her intellect, what left an even greater impression on me was her unwavering devotion to her family. She was a remarkable woman whose kindness, strength, and love for those closest to her were evident in everything she did. I feel grateful to have known her, and she will be deeply missed.”

As a nurse, pediatric nurse practitioner, and advocate, Trish believed children deserved every chance to thrive and parents deserved honest answers. She never stopped asking questions or searching for better answers when a child needed help. For her, it was always about “saving babies.”

“Trish’s inspiring dedication to truth and protecting children has directly and indirectly protected countless children from harm,” said ICAN Lead Attorney Aaron Siri.

ICAN Board Member Lindey Magee remembers how Trish’s determination helped shape not only her own work, but the work of those around her.

“We so often celebrate the physicians, the organizations, and the victories won along the way. Those of us who knew Trish also know that some of the greatest leaders in this movement—including our own Dr. Neu—are here because Trish encouraged (read: insisted) them to keep digging for answers.

“What a blessing her life has been to this community. May we all continue to champion truth, change, and healing with the same tenacity Trish did.”

Those who knew Trish remember her not only for what she accomplished, but for the way she made people feel. She never sought attention or recognition. She simply saw what needed to be done and got to work.

Patrick Layton, a founding member of ICAN and one of Trish’s close friends, wrote: 

“Oh, Trish. The outpouring of love since your passing says everything about the life you lived and the legacy you leave behind. You were an unbridled bolt of lightning and a fierce advocate for our children and our community. To us, you were family. 

“Thank you for fussing over us, for sharing your time, your family, and your affection so freely, and for making us feel like one of your own.

“We will meet again. Until then, your legacy lives in each of us.”

Even after being diagnosed with a rare form of metaplastic breast cancer, Trish faced every obstacle with determination and hope. She pursued treatment after treatment, including alternative therapies, not only because she wanted more time with the people she loved, but also in the hope that what she learned might one day help someone else.

The outpouring of love since Trish’s passing has been overwhelming, but it comes as no surprise to those who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy measured not by titles or accomplishments, but by the lives she touched, the families she encouraged, and the children she spent her life fighting for.

To Neu, to her children and grandchildren, to her family, and to everyone fortunate enough to have known her, we grieve with you.

Thank you, Trish, for your courage, your kindness, and your unwavering commitment to children and their families.

Your mission lives on.

And so does your legacy.

For funeral service details and to learn more about Trish’s remarkable life, read her full obituary here.