“What began as a response to one child’s diagnosis became a lifelong commitment to ensure that no family facing Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome ever has to make the journey alone.”
Michael Skrynecki, Skrynecki Financial Planning Group
Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is a rare, life-threatening genetic immune disorder that primarily affects young boys. Because the disease is so rare, families often struggle to find experienced specialists, reliable information, and meaningful connections with others who understand the challenges they face.
Twenty-five years ago, after the child of a close family friend was diagnosed with WAS, Michael Skrynecki recognized a critical unmet need. Families confronting this devastating diagnosis had few resources, limited access to information, and little opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. Determined to change that, he founded the Wiskott-Aldrich Foundation (WAF), which has since grown into a global organization dedicated to support, education, research, and advocacy for patients and families worldwide.
Today, we are proud to recognize Michael Skrynecki, of Skrynecki Financial Planning Group in Atlanta, GA, as a Lifetime Achievement Award finalist for the 2026 Invest in Others Awards.
Over the years, the Foundation has connected families with trusted information, expert guidance, and a worldwide support network while working alongside patients, physicians, researchers, industry partners, and regulators to improve standards of care, build treatment consensus, and accelerate the development of new therapies.
“Michael’s legacy extends far beyond the organization he helped build,” said Sumathi Iyengar, M.D., Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Wiskott-Aldrich Foundation. “He helped transform a small group of families searching for answers into a global community that is advancing research, improving care, and creating hope for future generations. Countless families around the world are better off because he refused to accept the status quo.”
Years of progress, collaboration, and advocacy ultimately led to a historic milestone: FDA approval of the first gene therapy for Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. The Foundation was involved from the earliest stages of that journey, helping ensure the patient’s voice was represented throughout the development and regulatory process.
For patients living with WAS, this approval is life-changing because it addresses the underlying genetic cause of the disease. Its significance extends beyond a single disorder, demonstrating that even the smallest patient populations can help drive innovation and bring groundbreaking therapies to those living with the realities of rare diseases.
“While gene therapy approval was a historic milestone, our greatest achievement has always been giving families hope when they need it most. By bringing patients, physicians, researchers, and regulators together, we’ve helped change what is possible for children with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome while creating a path that other rare disease communities can now follow,” said Michael.
We are excited to celebrate him as a finalist at our 20th anniversary gala!
