At LumaCleanCares, we are constantly inspired by stories of perseverance and innovation within the healthcare community.
At LumaCleanCares, we are constantly inspired by stories of perseverance and innovation within the healthcare community. It’s often how we identify unmet gaps in patient care, and design innovative medical solutions.
One such story is that of Jasmine Sturr—a chemist, patient, and feeding tube user—who turned her own struggles into life-changing solutions for others. After developing painful stoma leakage from her feeding tube, Jasmine took control of her health by teaming up with LumaCleanCares to launch StomaEase™. Keep reading for an inside look at her journey.
For people with PEG, G-tube, and J-tube feeding sites, managing stoma leakage is a constant battle. This leakage often leads to skin breakdown, which ranges from minor irritation to severe wounds, sometimes requiring surgical intervention. For many, it can be a source of unbearable pain.
Jasmine’s journey into science and advocacy began with her own health struggles. Growing up in Los Angeles, she was a passionate vocalist, training in classical opera, until she began experiencing the first symptoms of Juvenile Onset Parkinson’s Disease in 2009. By the time her doctors made the diagnosis four years later, Jasmine’s motor functions had deteriorated, and her health had changed drastically. Though she could no longer sing, she found a new passion in chemistry, which allowed her to chase a dream even as her body continued to challenge her.
Her love for chemistry developed during high school and continued through college at the University of Redlands, where she pursued her degree. It was during this time that she also underwent deep brain stimulation surgery and received a jejunal feeding tube due to secondary gastroparesis and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. These medical challenges did not deter her, and Jasmine graduated with her chemistry degree in 2016, wearing her feeding tube backpack and a graduation cap proudly stating: "I survived brain surgery (and chemistry). Never give up."
After college, Jasmine faced further GI complications that led to reliance on TPN (IV nutrition). Despite these challenges, her scientific curiosity persisted. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed a painful bile leakage wound that ignited her determination to find a solution. She dove into researching materials and formulated a powder to absorb stoma leakage, protect the skin, and reduce odor. That formulation became StomaEase™.
StomaEase™ is a groundbreaking enteral powder that not only absorbs fluids but gels together to stay in place, controlling odor while being gentle and easy to remove. Jasmine’s invention quickly proved to be a personal success, but she and her father, Mel, realized the potential to help many others within the tubie community. Mel became her dedicated business partner, and together they worked tirelessly to bring the product to market.
Mel was instrumental in the journey to bring StomaEase™ to the wider public. Watching his daughter struggle and then triumph through her creation, he became an advocate for the product, supporting its development and promotion. Over the next three years, the father-daughter duo devoted themselves to perfecting the product and ensuring that others struggling with tube leakage could find relief.
In June 2023, Jasmine and Mel attended The Oley Foundation conference, an annual event connecting patients, caregivers, and medical professionals. While there, they encountered a sign at the LumaCleanCares exhibit that deeply resonated with them:
"Do You Have An Idea? We are looking for new product ideas and seek to collaborate with others in a mutually rewarding manner. If you have an idea or simply a ‘pain-point’ where you wish someone could produce a solution or a ‘better way,’ please contact us."
Our call for collaboration aligned with Jasmine’s mission to develop solutions for real-world problems faced by tubie users. LumaCleanCares not only validated Jasmine’s work, but opened the door for further innovation—leading to the partnership that brought the StomaDisc™ system to life alongside StomaEase™.
Jasmine’s story exemplifies the power of turning personal pain into scientific progress. As someone who has faced the daily struggles of feeding tube care, she used her expertise in chemistry to create StomaEase™, a product that provides relief to countless others. Her journey, marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep desire to help others, inspires us all.
Through the ongoing collaboration between Jasmine, Mel, and LumaClean, the tubie community can look forward to new and innovative solutions designed to improve the quality of life for those living with feeding tubes. Jasmine's journey is far from over, and we are excited to support her continued contributions to the world of tubie care.
Here at LumaCleanCares, we identify gaps in care and design medical devices to advance the patient experience. Are you a medical professional interested in learning more about our products? Do you have an idea for a medical device, regardless of healthcare type? Are you an enteral feeding patient with questions or comments? We would love to hear from you!
About the Author: Maureen O'Gara is LumaCleanCares’ dedicated patient advocate and seasoned professional with extensive experience in customer service and sales, primarily within the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Over the past two years, she has focused her expertise on the enteral feeding and medical device field, driven by a personal journey that began with her niece, Jennifer Loughlin. Born as a micro-preemie in Ireland, Jennifer required a feeding tube from birth, sparking Maureen’s passion for supporting individuals reliant on enteral feeding.
Determined to find a solution for Jennifer, whose doctors in Ireland recommended surgery that would require a lifetime of tube feeding, Maureen tirelessly sought alternative options. Her efforts led her to Dr. Keith Williams' specialized feeding clinic in Hershey, Pennsylvania. After 10 months of fundraising, Maureen succeeded in bringing Jennifer to the U.S. for an intensive eight-week treatment program with Dr. Williams, which ultimately freed Jennifer from lifelong dependency on a feeding tube.
In 2018, Maureen’s mother was diagnosed with cancer and required an NG tube, deepening Maureen’s understanding and commitment to patient care.
Maureen’s professional career reflects a blend of personal advocacy and extensive industry expertise, equipping her with a unique perspective and empathy for those she serves in the enteral feeding and medical device community.
