On Rare Disease Day 2024 “Pongo”, the mascot of the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Association, visited schools in Loutraki to tell children about pulmonary hypertension

“Pongo” serves as the mascot of the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Association. This elephant doll features a unique characteristic: a minuscule nostril that impedes its ability to breathe adequately, leading to its striking purple hue caused by oxygen deprivation. It was create to educate children to recognize a physical diversity that may not always be visible. […]

On Rare Disease Day 2024 “Pongo”, the mascot of the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Association, visited schools in Loutraki to tell children about pulmonary hypertension Read Post »

“Guide to developing a Patient Journey”, a structured approach to understand the natural progression of rare diseases and identify unmet needs, EURORDIS, European Rare Disease Organisation, March 2024

The “Guide to developing a Patient Journey”, published in Mars 2024 by EURORDIS, the European Rare Disease Organisation, provides step-by-step instructions, practical tips, and tools to aid patient representatives in developing Patient Journeys for their respective rare conditions. What are Patient Journeys? Patient Journeys represent an innovative approach aimed at understanding the natural progression of

“Guide to developing a Patient Journey”, a structured approach to understand the natural progression of rare diseases and identify unmet needs, EURORDIS, European Rare Disease Organisation, March 2024 Read Post »

Kick-off meeting of the EU Joint Action JARDIN on the integration of European Reference Networks (ERNs) into national health systems 

The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. 24 ERNs are working on a range of thematic issues, including ERN-Lung, the European Reference Center for Rare Lung Diseases, which

Kick-off meeting of the EU Joint Action JARDIN on the integration of European Reference Networks (ERNs) into national health systems  Read Post »

Embark on a journey to discover the history of the pulmonary hypertension association movement by revisiting the AfPH’s recent webinar

This Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension webinar marks the sixth installment in a series dedicated to delving into the groundbreaking innovations outlined in the 2022 ESC/ERS clinical guidelines for diagnosing and treating pulmonary hypertension. One particularly notable advancement is the inclusion in the guidelines, for the first time, of a new section focusing on ‘Patient Associations and

Embark on a journey to discover the history of the pulmonary hypertension association movement by revisiting the AfPH’s recent webinar Read Post »

Ieva Plume Receives Prestigious Ombudsman Award for Advocacy in Support of People with Disabilities of the Republic of Latvia

In a ceremony held on December 5, 2023, Ieva Plume, Chairperson of the Latvian Pulmonary Hypertension Association and Board member at the Latvian Alliance of Rare Diseases, was honoured with the Annual Award for Supporting People with Disabilities by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia. This distinguished accolade was presented in the category of

Ieva Plume Receives Prestigious Ombudsman Award for Advocacy in Support of People with Disabilities of the Republic of Latvia Read Post »

“The added value of patient associations”, a publication by the European Patient Forum (EPF)

The European Patient Forum (EPF) published in 2017 a booklet titled “The Added Value of Patient Organizations”, which captures the crucial role of patient organizations in healthcare policy, capacity building, peer support, and research and development, as well as the challenges they face. This booklet highlights the significant impact these organizations have on shaping health

“The added value of patient associations”, a publication by the European Patient Forum (EPF) Read Post »

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a call for patient representatives to join the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP)

The European Commission has launched a call for expressions of interest to represent patients’ organisations in European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). This is a very important opportunity for patients to have a role in the approval of orphan medicinal products! The call aims to fill three positions nominated by the

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a call for patient representatives to join the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) Read Post »

A fresh booklet for those unfamiliar with European Reference Networks (ERNs) and their role in rare disease patient care, Novemebr 25, 2023

The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission has just issued a new booklet on European Reference Networks (ERNs). European Reference Networks are virtual networks connecting healthcare providers, professionals and patient organisations across the European Union (EU) and Norway. The rationale behind their establishment is that no country alone has the knowledge

A fresh booklet for those unfamiliar with European Reference Networks (ERNs) and their role in rare disease patient care, Novemebr 25, 2023 Read Post »

“Pulmonary arterial hypertension and COVID-19: piecing the puzzle”, Respiratory Medicine and Research, November 2023

A recent article titled “Pulmonary arterial hypertension and COVID-19: piecing the puzzle”, published in Respiratory Medicine and Research, summarises the existing literature on the clinical presentation of COVID-19 in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, focusing on shared pathobiology, clinical outcomes, potential treatment strategies, and the need for further research in understanding and managing these conditions.

“Pulmonary arterial hypertension and COVID-19: piecing the puzzle”, Respiratory Medicine and Research, November 2023 Read Post »

The Impact and Future of European Reference Networks (ERNs) discussed at a conference in Bilbao, Spain, on October 10-11, 2023

The European Reference Networks (ERNs) are virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. They aim to facilitate discussion on complex or rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialised treatment, and concentrated knowledge and resources. The first ERNs were launched in 2017, involving more than 900 highly-specialised healthcare units from over 300 hospitals in 26 EU

The Impact and Future of European Reference Networks (ERNs) discussed at a conference in Bilbao, Spain, on October 10-11, 2023 Read Post »

Insights from a panel discussion on aging with rare diseases, including pulmonary hypertension, at the World Orphan Drug Congress, Barcelona, November 2, 2023

The World Orphan Drug Congress is the largest and most established orphan drugs and rare diseases meeting of its kind across the globe. Its 14th annual edition took place in Barcelona, Spain, from October 30 to November 3, 2023. There were 1,500+attendees, 300 speakers and 80+exhibitors. On November 2 the President of AIPI Italian Pulmonary Hypertension

Insights from a panel discussion on aging with rare diseases, including pulmonary hypertension, at the World Orphan Drug Congress, Barcelona, November 2, 2023 Read Post »

“A Friendship Story” a resource for children with pulmonary arterial hypertension by Serbian patient and author Danijela Pešić, with illustrations by Ivan Drajzl

On the occasion of Rare Disease Day 2022 EURORDIS, the European Rare Disease Organisation, in collaboration with its national alliance rare disease patient organisation partners, put together a “School toolkit” to explain living with a rare disease to children and teenagers. These resources were translated in over 20 languages. One of these resources “A Friendship

“A Friendship Story” a resource for children with pulmonary arterial hypertension by Serbian patient and author Danijela Pešić, with illustrations by Ivan Drajzl Read Post »

How the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Patient Forum is contributing to shaping cardiovascular care and clinical guideline development

A recent article, titled “The essential role of patients in advocacy and policy”, published in the European Heart Journal on July 21, 2023, describes the activities of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Patient Forum and how it is empowering patients in shaping cardiovascular care. The European Society of Cardiology established the “ESC Patient Forum”

How the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Patient Forum is contributing to shaping cardiovascular care and clinical guideline development Read Post »

New European Lung Foundation (ELF) “Pulmonary Hypertension Patient Advisory Group”, PAG, set up!

The Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension has been a proud member of the European Lung Foundation (ELF) Patient Organisation Network since May 2023 (see our article at this link). More recently, the European Lung Foundation has set up a new Patient Advisory Group dedicated specifically to pulmonary hypertension. The ELF’s Patient Advisory Groups, also known as

New European Lung Foundation (ELF) “Pulmonary Hypertension Patient Advisory Group”, PAG, set up! Read Post »

Proud that the Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension has been awarded a 2023 #RAREis Global Advocate Grant by Horizon Therapeutics!

We are proud to have been awarded a 2023 #RAREis Global Advocate Grant by Horizon Therapeutics’ #RAREis program, which recognizes contributions to advancing, educating and addressing the needs of the rare disease community. We look forward to continuing to make a meaningful difference for those affected by pulmonary hypertension! The 2023 #RAREis Global Advocate Grant program was announced in February 2023

Proud that the Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension has been awarded a 2023 #RAREis Global Advocate Grant by Horizon Therapeutics! Read Post »

The US Pulmonary Hypertension Association, PHA, calls on the community to support legislation that would limit step-therapy requirements

Sharing from the PHA’s Instagram page the news that that the “Safe Step Act” is moving to the US Senate floor for the first time and aims to limit step-therapy requirements. Current insurance policies in US require people to try less expensive treatments than what their doctors prescribe first. The PHA points out that for

The US Pulmonary Hypertension Association, PHA, calls on the community to support legislation that would limit step-therapy requirements Read Post »

The Fundación Contra la Hipertensión Pulmonar, Spain, shares an important resource with the PH-KSP, a new book by a pulmonary arterial hypertension patient titled “The Expert and Informed Patient”

Salvador Calderón, a patient affected by Pulmonary Hypertension and a volunteer with the Foundation against Pulmonary Hypertension in Spain, has released his third book, titled “The Expert and Informed Patient.” This compelling narrative portrays the journey of a patient through all stages of pulmonary hypertension, highlighting the constant struggle to improve the quality of life

The Fundación Contra la Hipertensión Pulmonar, Spain, shares an important resource with the PH-KSP, a new book by a pulmonary arterial hypertension patient titled “The Expert and Informed Patient” Read Post »

The EU is running a public consultation on a “European Disability Card” to make it easier for people with disabilities to access some services while travelling within the EU

The European Commission (EC) is working on a proposal for an EU Disability Card, to make it easier for people with disabilities to access some services while travelling within the EU. There is currently no mutual recognition of disability status between the EU Member States. This can cause difficulties for persons with disabilities travelling in the EU.

The EU is running a public consultation on a “European Disability Card” to make it easier for people with disabilities to access some services while travelling within the EU Read Post »

European Rare Disease Organisation, EURORDIS, “Black Pearl” annual awards, including for Best Photo, announced on February 21, 2023

Taking place in February to mark the occasion of Rare Disease Day, the EURORDIS (European Organisation for Rare Diseases) Black Pearl Awards celebrates the inspirational qualities of people living with a rare disease along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives. The black pearl symbolises these unique individuals,

European Rare Disease Organisation, EURORDIS, “Black Pearl” annual awards, including for Best Photo, announced on February 21, 2023 Read Post »

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) “Advocacy 101” offers a tailored training course to help build a solid base of knowledge and understanding of patient advocacy

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF), has recently launched a training course for young patient advocates, “Advocacy 101”. The EPF is an umbrella organisation of patient organisations across Europe and across disease-areas. “Advocacy 101” is a free-of-charge, tailored training course built to help gain a solid base of knowledge and understanding of patient advocacy. Some of the key questions

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) “Advocacy 101” offers a tailored training course to help build a solid base of knowledge and understanding of patient advocacy Read Post »

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