About
Why patient stories matter in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
A Note from Diane Shader Smith
The Global AMR Diary: Collective Storytelling to Shift Perspectives and Shape Policy emerges from a deeply personal tragedy—the loss of my daughter Mallory at the age of 25 to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), commonly referred to as a superbug infection.
Over the last five years, I have shared her story around the world and found that audiences everywhere wanted to share their own experiences with AMR. The Global AMR Diary gives people a chance to do just that. It includes impactful personal stories from those at the front lines of this crisis—including patients, their families, caregivers, healthcare workers, and biotech innovators, from around the world. We are hoping many more of you will be part of it.
By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, we are building a compelling narrative to educate and inform but also to motivate stakeholders at all levels to take action. Many different groups have been collecting these stories, which we are now sharing in this comprehensive and publicly accessible platform.
Mallory's memoir, Diary of a Dying Girl, documents her struggle with resistant bacteria. But she is just one of the many millions who have died—or will die—from AMR. The Global AMR Diary serves as a reminder that combating AMR is not just a policy issue but a moral imperative. We are using it to call for a unified response to what is arguably one of the most daunting health and humanitarian challenges of our time.
Watch this video to hear from Mallory herself →
If you need help writing up your story, please email dianeshadersmith@gmail.com.
Our Mission
The Global AMR Diary exists to amplify the voices of those directly affected by antimicrobial resistance. By collecting and sharing patient narratives from around the world, we aim to put a human face on a crisis that is often discussed only in statistics and scientific jargon.
What is AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Drug-resistant infections already cause an estimated 1.27 million deaths each year and are associated with nearly 5 million deaths worldwide.
Why Patient Stories?
Statistics tell us the scale of the problem, but stories show us its true impact. When people hear directly from patients and families who have experienced drug-resistant infections, the urgency becomes personal. Stories drive empathy, inspire policy change, and motivate action — from individual antibiotic stewardship to global investment in new treatments.
How You Can Help
- Share your own story — your experience can raise awareness and inspire others.
- Read and share patient stories — help these voices reach a wider audience.
- Advocate for responsible antibiotic use in your community and workplace.
- Support organizations working on AMR research, policy, and prevention.
Acknowledgments
This site draws on stories and resources shared by many organizations and individuals, including the WHO, CDC, ECDC, IDSA, GARDP, ReAct, and others. We are grateful to the patients and families who have bravely shared their experiences. Visit our Partners page to learn more about the organizations involved.