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From April 10th-11th EPF held its annual AGM. Katharine Wheeler attended on behalf of LUPUS EUROPE.

Naturally, in the year of EPF’s campaign on Access to Healthcare, there was a strong focus on the #Access2030 campaign and putting healthcare firmly back on every politician’s agenda.

A noteworthy result of EPF’s survey on Access to healthcare is the fact that 60% of respondents experience financial hardship as a result of accessing healthcare. A result that won’t be a surprise to anyone affected by a chronic condition.

“I refuse to be considered a second-class citizen or a cost, my care is not a cost, it’s an investment.” – Marco Greco, EPF President

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For more on the #Access2030 campaign, please click here.

“2017 is a pivotal year – now that we have seats at the table, need to ensure enough patient advocates!” – Marco Greco, EPF president

Seven patient groups applied for EPF membership. BAG Selbsthilfe (German patient self-help group umbrella), the European Congenital Heart Disease Organisation, the Swedish National coalition (HSO Handikappförbunden, and the NCDP – Greek National confederation of Disabled people (not the official English name) were approved as full members. Due to a late application, the Spanish platform for patient organisations (Platforma de Organizaciones de Pacientes) was granted provisional membership.

AGORA (platform representing patient organizations of people with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) in Southern Europe) and LuCE – Lung cancer Europe were approved as associate members.

Eight candidates put forward their applications as board members. Four positions were available. Marco Greco, Radu Ganescu and Stanimar Hasardjiev were re-elected while Hilkka Härkkäinen was newly elected. Robert Johnstone, a long-standing board member and well-known to many stood down. He was thanked warmly by the board and members for his years of service in patient advocacy. As someone whose comittment and good humour never wavered, he will no doubt be sorely missed.

A record number of Patient Organisations attended the AGM (the highest number yet), and many fruitful discussions were had on subjects such as Access, the complexity of research and clinical trials, the interest of data collection and volunteer recruitment – to name but a few. Work groups also discussed Access, Empowerment, Sustainable Patient Organisations and Governance.

“If each patient is a drop of water, together, we are the sea” – Marco Greco, EPF President

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22 hours ago

🌟This December, we're embarking on a mission that holds the key to effective #lupus management.

🤔 Can you crack the code and guess the theme that ties us together this month?

Stay tuned as we unveil the secret to a healthier, empowered lupus journey.

🚀 Let the guessing game begin!

#kicklupus
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🌟This December, were embarking on a mission that holds the key to effective #lupus management.

🤔 Can you crack the code and guess the theme that ties us together this month?

Stay tuned as we unveil the secret to a healthier, empowered lupus journey.

🚀 Let the guessing game begin!

#KickLupus

1 CommentComment on Facebook

How to try "tame the Wolf" or at least not let "Wolfie" run amock perhaps?

2 days ago

🟣 Living with systemic #lupus erythematosus can be a daily challenge for over 200,000 people across Europe, many of whom live with physical disabilities.

In fact, our Living With Lupus 2020 survey reveals the profound impact #SLE can have:

🔹 57.9% of respondents said SLE negatively affected their careers.
🔹 Nearly 50% faced challenges in daily activities, from studying to family life.
🔹 Fatigue remains the most reported symptom, affecting 85.3% of patients.

🦋 These figures highlight the need for greater awareness, inclusivity, and tailored support for those living with disabilities or chronic conditions like lupus.

🔊 On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s raise awareness to build a society where barriers are reduced and opportunities are accessible for all.

#WorldDisabilityDay
#IDPWD
#InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities
... See MoreSee Less

🟣 Living with systemic #lupus erythematosus can be a daily challenge for over 200,000 people across Europe, many of whom live with physical disabilities.

In fact, our Living With Lupus 2020 survey reveals the profound impact #SLE can have:

🔹 57.9% of respondents said SLE negatively affected their careers.
🔹 Nearly 50% faced challenges in daily activities, from studying to family life.
🔹 Fatigue remains the most reported symptom, affecting 85.3% of patients.

🦋 These figures highlight the need for greater awareness, inclusivity, and tailored support for those living with disabilities or chronic conditions like lupus.

🔊 On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let’s raise awareness to build a society where barriers are reduced and opportunities are accessible for all.

#WorldDisabilityDay
#IDPWD
#InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilitiesImage attachmentImage attachment
2 weeks ago

🚨 One of the several factors that could potentially trigger or worsen #lupus flares is 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

⚠️ Did you know that around 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 #𝗦𝗟𝗘 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻s, with 11–23% of hospitalisations linked to these complications?

🦠 Infections not only impact overall health but are also considered a higher risk factor for mortality in lupus patients than the disease activity itself.

💎 This highlights the importance of 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, such as vaccinations, to reduce infection risks and keep your lupus under control.

#kicklupus by talking to your physician about vaccination and other prevention measures!
... See MoreSee Less

🚨 One of the several factors that could potentially trigger or worsen #lupus flares is 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

⚠️ Did you know that around 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 #𝗦𝗟𝗘 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻s, with 11–23% of hospitalisations linked to these complications?

🦠 Infections not only impact overall health but are also considered a higher risk factor for mortality in lupus patients than the disease activity itself.

💎 This highlights the importance of 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, such as vaccinations, to reduce infection risks and keep your lupus under control.

#KickLupus by talking to your physician about vaccination and other prevention measures!Image attachment
2 weeks ago

🚨 According to Profs. @RMD_clinic & @lupusreference, 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 for mortality in #SLE patients 👉 buff.ly/3rUWfTt

🙌 This month, we talk about prevention to #KickLupus
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🚨 According to Profs. @RMD_clinic & @lupusreference, 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 for mortality in #SLE patients 👉 https://buff.ly/3rUWfTt

🙌  This month, we talk about prevention to #KickLupus
LUPUS EUROPE Uniting people with Lupus throughout Europe
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