Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Shultz
Hi Jamie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2017, Jamie Shultz was at the height of her career, thriving as a young attorney. But her life took an unexpected turn when her health began to decline rapidly. After more than four years of relentless tests, countless doctor visits, and numerous hospitalizations, Jamie was diagnosed with several complex autoimmune diseases. These conditions brought on chronic pain and fatigue, and drastically altered her once-active lifestyle.
To manage her symptoms, Jamie required a chest port—a small medical device implanted under the skin to provide direct access to a vein for administering critical medications. While the treatments helped alleviate some symptoms, they introduced a new set of challenges. Each infusion brought mess and discomfort. To numb the area before a needle stick, Jamie applied lidocaine cream, held in place by plastic wrap over her port, to reduce the needle stick prior to her chest port being accessed to infusions. However, the cream often leaked, staining her clothes, seatbelt, and even her hair.
Frustrated by the lack of solutions, Jamie searched for a product to make the process easier but found nothing on the market. Determined to address the problem, and to help others like herself, she decided to create her own solution. That’s how Port Protect was born. Port Protect is a patented product designed to improve the infusion experience for chronically ill adults and children who depend on chest ports in their battles against diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. Jamie’s invention not only resolved her challenges but also brought hope and relief to countless adults and children navigating similar health issues.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Creating Port Protect was extremely challenging. I knew I had a wonderful idea, but I faced three significant obstacles: first, figuring out how to engineer it; second, determining how to manufacture it; and third, learning how to sell it. Honestly, I had no idea where to even begin. I started with research, diving into unfamiliar territory and reaching out to engineers to help bring my concept to life. This process alone took months of trial and error. At the same time, I began working with a patent attorney to protect my innovation that was taking shape. Balancing all of this while managing my health and stepping into the world of entrepreneurship was no small feat. It was exhausting and overwhelming, but I was driven by the desire to help others facing similar health struggles. That mission to help others has been our biggest driver to success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Creating Port Protect has been so gratifying because I truly believe that anything that can improve the quality of life of someone in pain – whether big or small – makes a world of difference. And I know this firsthand because I experience pain daily as a chronically ill, disabled patient.
I think that the true magic of Port Protect goes beyond its simplicity – it’s in the lives that are being transformed. For example, I recently met a little boy fighting leukemia who has a chest port and wears Port Protect. When I met him, he thanked me for making him Port Protect, and innocently called it his “brave protector” – something that feels like a “hug” for his port. Knowing that I’ve created a product that makes a child feel safe, sometimes confident, versus scared and anxious, is so rewarding. I always say to friends, family and even users – you don’t get “it” until you get “it” and no one, especially children, should ever have to “get it.” Being sick is hard. Fighting cancer is hard. Getting out of bed each day to keep going is hard when you feel so poorly. I know it all too well. But knowing that I created a product that eases pain with a simple product like Port Protect keeps me going. Being able to help struggling adults with leaking lidocaine cream from their Saran Wrap, or easing the nerves of anxious parents with children who have cancer, and eliminating the scream and cries of innocent children as they are held down for port access keeps me going.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was spending time with my family at the beach in the summer. The beach always brought me peace and the time spent with my family was always precious. I’ll treasure those memories forever.
Pricing:
- 10 Pack – $40.00
- 5 Pack – $20.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.port-protect.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portprotect/
Image Credits
person photos of founder/creator Jamie Shultz
