Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
2 days ago

🫂This month, #KickLupus focuses on the power of support. Because whether you’re navigating lupus yourself or supporting someone who is, one thing is clear: no one should face it alone.

🦋 #Lupus is a lifelong condition that can potentially impact any tissue or organ in the body, affecting many aspects of life.

‼️It can also affect our mental health!

🌈 That’s why finding support is so crucial—it can transform how we cope with lupus, manage this autoimmune condition and thrive in life.

Check out the one in your country on our website and get in touch! www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-members/
... See MoreSee Less

🫂This month, #KickLupus focuses on the power of support. Because whether you’re navigating lupus yourself or supporting someone who is, one thing is clear: no one should face it alone.

🦋 #Lupus is a lifelong condition that can potentially impact any tissue or organ in the body, affecting many aspects of life.

‼️It can also affect our mental health!

🌈 That’s why finding support is so crucial—it can transform how we cope with lupus, manage this autoimmune condition and thrive in life.

Check out the one in your country on our website and get in touch! https://www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-members/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

I"m from Portugal 💜 Don't have much suport😢

4 days ago

The Lupus Europe Youth Group Webinar on SEX and #lupus is just around the corner!

🗓 May 3rd | 19h CET
🎙 With Dr Cristiana Sieiro Santos
Don’t miss this chance to talk openly about this topic in a safe and informative space!
📩 Register now:
secretariat@lupus-europe.org
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

🚨 Today is #wordday2025! which stands for WOrld Young Rheumatic Disease Day.

🌍 Through this global event, we can spread the word that children and young people get rheumatic diseases like lupus, too.

‼️ It is estimated that around 15-20% of #lupus patients are children, although it is rare that a child develops lupus before 5 years of age.

As with adult patients, the cause of lupus remains unknown, and there is a great choice of treatments to keep the disease under control.

🔴 On average, it takes nearly 6 years for people with lupus to be diagnosed. This delay in diagnosis, and therefore in treatment, can have an impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients; this includes kids.

😰 The moment your child gets a diagnosis might be overwhelming for you. This feeling of overwhelm can and does go away with time and with access to the right information.

👉 Remember: it is impossible to learn everything about #lupus overnight! Your child's doctor is the best source of information.

Apart from pharmacological treatment, other non-pharmacological measures can also help in lupus management.

📷 Take a look at the images we are sharing today to learn about these non-pharmacological measures and share them with your community to help us raise awareness.

🐺 Lupus can seem scary at first. Remember that you are not alone and that you are going to do a great job!

Turn to your lupus association for support.

🤗 There are many organisations across Europe that can help you and your child cope with the disease.

More information on #sle in children at #Lupus100: f.mtr.cool/gfhbfdafvv

For more information on WORD Day, you can visit World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day
... See MoreSee Less

🚨 Today is #WORDDAY2025! which stands for WOrld Young Rheumatic Disease Day.

🌍 Through this global event, we can spread the word that children and young people get rheumatic diseases like lupus, too.

‼️ It is estimated that around 15-20% of #lupus patients are children, although it is rare that a child develops lupus before 5 years of age.

As with adult patients, the cause of lupus remains unknown, and there is a great choice of treatments to keep the disease under control.

🔴 On average, it takes nearly 6 years for people with lupus to be diagnosed. This delay in diagnosis, and therefore in treatment, can have an impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients; this includes kids.

😰 The moment your child gets a diagnosis might be overwhelming for you. This feeling of overwhelm can and does go away with time and with access to the right information.

👉 Remember: it is impossible to learn everything about #lupus overnight! Your childs doctor is the best source of information.

Apart from pharmacological treatment, other non-pharmacological measures can also help in lupus management.

📷 Take a look at the images we are sharing today to learn about these non-pharmacological measures and share them with your community to help us raise awareness.

🐺 Lupus can seem scary at first. Remember that you are not alone and that you are going to do a great job!

Turn to your lupus association for support.

🤗 There are many organisations across Europe that can help you and your child cope with the disease.

More information on #SLE in children at #Lupus100: https://f.mtr.cool/gfhbfdafvv

For more information on WORD Day,  you can visit World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD DayImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

Herbalist SIMEON 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐬, 𝐀𝐋𝐒, 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐜o𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐊𝐃,, autism, fibromyalgia, kidney stones 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 & 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐈𝐕, 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 Brain tumor 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞✨ FB page below👇👇👇 www.facebook.com/doctorsimon1

𝐃octor Droigiangbe u* 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐬, 𝐀𝐋𝐒, 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐊𝐃,, autism, fibromyalgia, kidney stones 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 & 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐈𝐕, 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 Brain tumor 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞✨ FB page below👇👇 www.facebook.com/Droigiangbe-114637101534059/

2 weeks ago

🔴 Tomorrow is #WORDDAY2025!

🦋 And we will be sharing tips and information on how #lupus can affect children.

Help us raise awareness, which is key for an early diagnosis & a quick referral to a specialised paediatric rheumatologist.

Share our posts and follow the World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day campaign.

More information on lupus in children at #Lupus100 (multiple languages):

f.mtr.cool/qrvtyjqmpf
... See MoreSee Less

🔴 Tomorrow is #WORDDAY2025!

🦋 And we will be sharing tips and information on how #lupus can affect children.

Help us raise awareness, which is key for an early diagnosis & a quick referral to a specialised paediatric rheumatologist.

Share our posts and follow the World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day campaign.

More information on lupus in children at #Lupus100 (multiple languages):

https://f.mtr.cool/qrvtyjqmpf

ABOUT LUPUS EUROPE

Who are we?

LUPUS EUROPE is the European umbrella organisation that brings together national lupus patient organisations from across Europe. We are a non profit independent organisation. We aim to support and empower our national organisation members, sharing information with them and promoting better patient-centred processes, both within the healthcare field and at a political level. We also work tirelessly to improve access to healthcare for all lupus patients, advocating on their behalf at EU level. We use the WHO (World Health Organisation) definition of Europe as a region, rather than a political entity.

Since our humble beginnings, we have grown to represent most of Europe’s main countries which, in turn, represent over 30,000 patients in their respective memberships. We have observed the gradual shift in position, where formerly patients were often side-lined and not thought to be capable of contributing to their own care, to the current-day-thinking which aims for increasing patient involvement and communication at all levels.

LUPUS EUROPE is now considered a valued partner at medical conferences, in European healthcare organisations fighting for wider patients’ rights, and in Europe-wide initiatives aimed at improving healthcare and setting “standards of care” for lupus patients. We see research and clinical trials as key to the future of lupus patients and work with all stakeholders to improve the quality and efficiency of all lupus research.

LUPUS EUROPE, until 2020 was a UK based charity (803768). From 2021 LUPUS EUROPE moved and became a Belgium based non-profit organisation (0758.650.658).

MISSION

To be the voice of lupus in Europe and empower the national organisations for people living with lupus.

VISION

A fulfilling life for all people with lupus in Europe, until we have reached a world without lupus.

CORE VALUES

Transparency, Democracy, Independence, Impartiality, Vitality, Empowerment

OUR TEAM

Board of Directors & Secretariat

The LUPUS EUROPE board is composed of five directors who are all either lupus patients themselves or relatives of a lupus patient. They all work on an entirely voluntary basis. Working alongside them the part-time secretariat ensures administrative support.

In addition to the usual directors, LUPUS EUROPE may call on co-opted advisors for specific projects. Again, all co-opted advisors are volunteers.

  • Jeanette Andersen
    Jeanette Andersen
    Chair
  • Annemarie Sluijmers
    Annemarie Sluijmers
    Vice-Chair, Secretary
  • Elfriede Wijsma
    Elfriede Wijsma
    Vice-Chair, Treasurer
  • Francesca Marchiori
    Francesca Marchiori
    Board Member
  • Alain Cornet
    Alain Cornet
    Secretariat
  • Zoe Karakikla-Mitsakou
    Zoe Karakikla-Mitsakou
    Project Manager
  • Sara Badreh
    Sara Badreh
    PAN Coordinator

ETHICS & GOVERNANCE

The General Assembly is made up of the national delegates who represent their individual countries. The delegate is also very often the international person of contact for that country. The General Assembly meets once a year during the annual LUPUS EUROPE convention. The General Assembly is responsible for tasks such as:

      • nominating qualified people for election to director positions
      • electing directors
      • setting annual membership subscription rates for both full and associate member organisations
      • deciding on amendments to the constitution, on dissolution or on removal of a director

LUPUS EUROPE applies the EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) Code of Good Practice on relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and patients’ organisations. The same Code of Good Practice will be upheld in relation to any funding received from any other source.

With regards to decision making, we highly value our member’s contributions. Every year, our action plan for the next year is reviewed and discussed with our members as a key element of our general meeting. This is also the audience where we discuss significant “policy” matters, items impacting our vision or strategies. decisions at general assembly are made by Majority vote, as foreseen in our statutes.

During the year, the patient voice is gathered to orient our action in specific projects. this is done through our PAN (PAtient Advisory Network), or through on line consultations and surveys. With regards to decisions on the day to day running of the organisation, decisions are made by majority vote of the board, as foreseen in our “trustee code of conduct”. Staff members attending board meetings, or board members with a conflict of interest, if any, do not vote on such decisions. If significant changes need to be made to our approved plans, the board consults members by email, social media dedicated network or calls or at the occasion of a webinar.

For more, please also read our code of conduct for volunteers or the Board of Directors and our decision making policy

When LUPUS EUROPE was a UK charity, our constitution was approved by the UK Charities Commission; some parts of the constitution were adjusted in November 2017 to ensure we remained on top of external developments and needs.

LUPUS EUROPE CONSTITUTION amended Nov 2017

From 2021 LUPUS EUROPE moved and became a  Belgium based non-profit organisation. Our Articles of Association can be found here:

Articles of Association 2021 

LUPUS EUROPE ‘s accounts are audited every year by an independent accountant.To find our  financial report, simply follow this link.

In 2020, 88.6% of the funds raised by LUPUS EUROPE were provided by the pharmaceutical industry. To maintain its independence, Lupus Europe has fixed a ceiling of maximum 25% of its fund to come from one partner.  With the development of new sponsors, we expect to structurally bring single sponsor input to no more than 20% by 2022. In 2020, we achieved this objective already as the highest contribution from a single company was reached by  GSK with 17.9%.

Funding in 2020 by origin

OUR HISTORY

The story so far

  • 2021 Headquarters move to Brussels

    As Brexit unfolded, we relocated to Brussels, close to many of our partner groups, to ensure an optimal support to all people living with lupus in Europe

  • 2017 An updated Strategic plan

    The convention unanimously adopted LUPUS EUROPE’s revised Strategic plan, including the creation of Pan-European work groups and a Patient Advisory Network. The new structure will allow for more ambitious goals over the next 5 years.

  • 2015 Establishing a World Lupus Federation

    Lupus Europe invited lupus groups from around the world to join its 2015 convention in Vienna, coinciding with the International Congress on lupus, so that a new World Lupus Federation could be created, uniting people with lupus from every continent.

202120172015

STRATEGIC PLAN 2023

LUPUS EUROPE has an organisational framework in which the plan for the third strategic period, 2018 to 2023, has now come into effect following the 2017 annual convention.

For the five year duration of the Strategic plan will concentrate on the following 3 strategic objectives: 

  1. PEOPLE WITH LUPUS in Europe participate in, and benefit from, lupus research
  2. MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS are enthusiastic and empowered
  3. LUPUS EUROPE is heard and acting

Year after year, we progress towards the goals we have set.  Our last activity report is available HERE.

PROJECTS & WORK

To deliver our Strategic plan, we have initiated, and continue to initiate  several projects on our own. Our key on going initiatives include

  • The establishment of a Patient Advisory Network (PAN)
  • The active collaboration to EULAR (EUropean League Against Rheumatism) Recommendations – Patient’s Version
  • Living with Lupus – an electronic survey globally, where the results are presented at EULAR and International Congress of SLE
  • The establishment of Patient Panels, where people living with lupus around Europe exchange thoughts on a critical topic
  • The “Kick Lupus Word cloud” (2018) and “Unmasking lupus” (2015) contests, where people living with lupus use art to express important insights on Lupus.

Learn more about LUPUS EUROPE Projects & Activities…

GET INVOLVED

OUR SPONSORS

Our belief is that we need to work alongside pharma, healthcare professionals, academia and other stakeholders in order to achieve our vision. We cannot do this alone.

OUR MEMBERS

The members of LUPUS EUROPE are national and other properly-accredited Lupus Groups in Europe. At this moment 22 countries with 24 organisations representing about 40,000 patients are registered as Full members, and an extra 6 countries are associate members.

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Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
2 days ago

🫂This month, #KickLupus focuses on the power of support. Because whether you’re navigating lupus yourself or supporting someone who is, one thing is clear: no one should face it alone.

🦋 #Lupus is a lifelong condition that can potentially impact any tissue or organ in the body, affecting many aspects of life.

‼️It can also affect our mental health!

🌈 That’s why finding support is so crucial—it can transform how we cope with lupus, manage this autoimmune condition and thrive in life.

Check out the one in your country on our website and get in touch! www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-members/
... See MoreSee Less

🫂This month, #KickLupus focuses on the power of support. Because whether you’re navigating lupus yourself or supporting someone who is, one thing is clear: no one should face it alone.

🦋 #Lupus is a lifelong condition that can potentially impact any tissue or organ in the body, affecting many aspects of life.

‼️It can also affect our mental health!

🌈 That’s why finding support is so crucial—it can transform how we cope with lupus, manage this autoimmune condition and thrive in life.

Check out the one in your country on our website and get in touch! https://www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-members/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

1 CommentComment on Facebook

I"m from Portugal 💜 Don't have much suport😢

4 days ago

The Lupus Europe Youth Group Webinar on SEX and #lupus is just around the corner!

🗓 May 3rd | 19h CET
🎙 With Dr Cristiana Sieiro Santos
Don’t miss this chance to talk openly about this topic in a safe and informative space!
📩 Register now:
secretariat@lupus-europe.org
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

🚨 Today is #wordday2025! which stands for WOrld Young Rheumatic Disease Day.

🌍 Through this global event, we can spread the word that children and young people get rheumatic diseases like lupus, too.

‼️ It is estimated that around 15-20% of #lupus patients are children, although it is rare that a child develops lupus before 5 years of age.

As with adult patients, the cause of lupus remains unknown, and there is a great choice of treatments to keep the disease under control.

🔴 On average, it takes nearly 6 years for people with lupus to be diagnosed. This delay in diagnosis, and therefore in treatment, can have an impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients; this includes kids.

😰 The moment your child gets a diagnosis might be overwhelming for you. This feeling of overwhelm can and does go away with time and with access to the right information.

👉 Remember: it is impossible to learn everything about #lupus overnight! Your child's doctor is the best source of information.

Apart from pharmacological treatment, other non-pharmacological measures can also help in lupus management.

📷 Take a look at the images we are sharing today to learn about these non-pharmacological measures and share them with your community to help us raise awareness.

🐺 Lupus can seem scary at first. Remember that you are not alone and that you are going to do a great job!

Turn to your lupus association for support.

🤗 There are many organisations across Europe that can help you and your child cope with the disease.

More information on #sle in children at #Lupus100: f.mtr.cool/gfhbfdafvv

For more information on WORD Day, you can visit World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day
... See MoreSee Less

🚨 Today is #WORDDAY2025! which stands for WOrld Young Rheumatic Disease Day.

🌍 Through this global event, we can spread the word that children and young people get rheumatic diseases like lupus, too.

‼️ It is estimated that around 15-20% of #lupus patients are children, although it is rare that a child develops lupus before 5 years of age.

As with adult patients, the cause of lupus remains unknown, and there is a great choice of treatments to keep the disease under control.

🔴 On average, it takes nearly 6 years for people with lupus to be diagnosed. This delay in diagnosis, and therefore in treatment, can have an impact on the prognosis and quality of life of patients; this includes kids.

😰 The moment your child gets a diagnosis might be overwhelming for you. This feeling of overwhelm can and does go away with time and with access to the right information.

👉 Remember: it is impossible to learn everything about #lupus overnight! Your childs doctor is the best source of information.

Apart from pharmacological treatment, other non-pharmacological measures can also help in lupus management.

📷 Take a look at the images we are sharing today to learn about these non-pharmacological measures and share them with your community to help us raise awareness.

🐺 Lupus can seem scary at first. Remember that you are not alone and that you are going to do a great job!

Turn to your lupus association for support.

🤗 There are many organisations across Europe that can help you and your child cope with the disease.

More information on #SLE in children at #Lupus100: https://f.mtr.cool/gfhbfdafvv

For more information on WORD Day,  you can visit World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD DayImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

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Herbalist SIMEON 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐬, 𝐀𝐋𝐒, 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐜o𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐊𝐃,, autism, fibromyalgia, kidney stones 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 & 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐈𝐕, 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 Brain tumor 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞✨ FB page below👇👇👇 www.facebook.com/doctorsimon1

𝐃octor Droigiangbe u* 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐬, 𝐀𝐋𝐒, 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐊𝐃,, autism, fibromyalgia, kidney stones 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐒, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 & 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐈𝐕, 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 Brain tumor 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞✨ FB page below👇👇 www.facebook.com/Droigiangbe-114637101534059/

2 weeks ago

🔴 Tomorrow is #WORDDAY2025!

🦋 And we will be sharing tips and information on how #lupus can affect children.

Help us raise awareness, which is key for an early diagnosis & a quick referral to a specialised paediatric rheumatologist.

Share our posts and follow the World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day campaign.

More information on lupus in children at #Lupus100 (multiple languages):

f.mtr.cool/qrvtyjqmpf
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🔴 Tomorrow is #WORDDAY2025!

🦋 And we will be sharing tips and information on how #lupus can affect children.

Help us raise awareness, which is key for an early diagnosis & a quick referral to a specialised paediatric rheumatologist.

Share our posts and follow the World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day - WORD Day campaign.

More information on lupus in children at #Lupus100 (multiple languages):

https://f.mtr.cool/qrvtyjqmpf
Jeanette Andersen
Chair

About Jeanette

Jeanette Andersen has a Masters degree in German and Philosophy from the University of Copenhagen. In 2011 she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, which (in combination with a lot of comorbidities) forced her to go into early retirement. Since then, she has immersed herself in the role of a volunteer in the area of rheumatology with a special focus on patient engagement in clinical research.

She is the Chair of Lupus Europe, a EUPATI trained patient expert on medicines Research & Development and the leader of the Lupus Europe Patient Advisory Network. She is also a patient representative (or e-PAG) and a Steering Committee Member in ERN ReCONNET as well as a trustee in the Danish Lupus group underneath Gigtforeningen (the Danish Rheumatism Association). She is a EULAR PARE Committee Member and Chair of the subcommittee on Education & Research as well as Leader of the Editorial Board and Edgar Stene Prize working groups. She also sits on the ACTion Council on patient engagement in rheumatology research.

She has developed an exercise programme for lupus patients, that has been endorsed by both ERN and EULAR and at present she is focussing on developing educational materials on better communication between doctors and patients.

Annemarie Sluijmers
Vice-Chair, Secretary

About Annemarie

Annemarie is from the Netherlands, she lives in a village east of Amsterdam. She was diagnosed with Skin Lupus and Sjögren´s Syndrome in 2001.

In her working life, she worked as a legal secretary (for over 15 years) and a paralegal (for 4 years) in an international law firm. As volunteer, she works at the local House Cinema (“Filmhuis”). Since 2011 she has also worked as volunteer for the Dutch Lupus Foundation (NVLE) in the Lupus APS Committee and for the last three years as general member for the board (dealing with the administration of (new) members of the foundation).

Annemarie has a special interest in skin involvement with lupus. She wants to raise the voice for patients in general. In 2017, she started as Co-opt advisor for Lupus Europe in an EPF Task Force and as a representative for Lupus Europe at the Global Skin 2017 Conference of IADPO.

Elfriede Wijsma
Vice-Chair, Treasurer
Elfriede Wijsma

About Elfriede

Elfriede is from the Netherlands, she was diagnosed with CDLE (skin Lupus) in 2000 after having wrong diagnosis several times. Since her diagnosis, living with Lupus on a daily base as meaningful as possible, became her challenge. Not just for herself but for Lupus patients in general.

This is also her motivation to join the Lupus Europe Board.

Elfriede has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a postgraduate degree in Service Management. She has worked for a long time as manager in several organizations for the homeless, residential youth care and crisis and disaster relief.

Elfriede founded her own company 6 years ago, together with a number of colleagues.

The company develops and produces innovative sun protection products for people with sun-related conditions. In addition, she gives presentations about living with UV-sensitive skin.

As a volunteer, Elfriede has experience within other patient associations, and as a member of the communications group in Lupus Europe

Elfriede is particularly interested in all aspects of patient empowerment and in Skin Lupus, in particular the overlap in symptoms between patients with Skin Lupus and SLE.

Francesca Marchiori
Board Member

Francesca Marchiori is an Italian Lupus patient. She was born in Rome and still lives there. She is a mechanical engineer and has been living with SLE for more than 30 years. After experiencing glomerulonephritis in 2000, she made the decision to become more actively involved with patient associations. Initially, with the Italian patient group, then progressed to Lupus Europe, and eventually also became involved with EULAR.

Her primary professional background lies in engineering research within the field of steel production, making the role of Patient Research Partner for EULAR and Lupus Europe PAN member particularly fitting for her. In 2022 she followed a course for Patient Experts in Digital Technologies for Health.

Alain Cornet
Secretariat

About Alain

Secretariat LUPUS EUROPE: Alain worked as a Global Finance executive with Procter & Gamble for over 32 years, in positions such as regional CFO for the Balkans, Head of Taxation for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and finally Head of Global Indirect Taxation. In parallel he joined the OECD WP9 Technical Advisory Group in 2008 and in that role, was one of the key contributors to the OECD International VAT guidelines, and a speaker in various International OECD conferences. This Business and International Organisation background gave him significant experience in the areas of Finance, Strategy, running international operations, working with Governments, lobbying, negotiation and presentation skills, … In 2015, he decided to gradually shift his career focus to supporting charities, a move that will be fully completed by the end of 2017. As husband to Bernadette, Chair of the French-speaking Belgian Lupus group, he has been involved with the Lupus patient community for over 10 years. He served as LUPUS EUROPE’s Treasurer from 2012 to 2014. In 2015, he became General Secretary of LUPUS EUROPE, and in that capacity, advises and supports the board in its responsibilities, and manages the day to day operations of LUPUS EUROPE, as well as various projects such as the Patient panels or the 2017 Research Workshop.

Alain is currently engaged in multiple projects including representing the Lupus Community in the European reference Network ReCONNET, being part of European Joint program on Rare Disease Work Paper 20 on Clinical trials, and Treasurer of EURORDIS.

Zoe Karakikla-Mitsakou
Project Manager

Coming soon…

Sara Badreh
PAN Coordinator

About Sara

Sara is a biochemist by education who after spending some years conducting research in the field of immunology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden moved to Brussels to work in Policy and Advocacy. She is a lupus patient herself and was diagnosed at the age of 16 and is very passionate about patient advocacy and how to best link the patient needs with the scientific perspective.

 

After giving birth to her first son, Elias, she started her own consultancy helping organisations with the management of multi-stakeholder projects at EU level. She might be a familiar face to some of you since she previously was part of the Lupus Europe board of trustees. Fun fact, during 2019 she ran the 5-borough series in New York to show that lupus patients can do anything they set their minds to. The 5-borough series is a series of races where you run all the 5 boroughs in New York during one year which includes 3 half-marathons, one 16 km and one 10 km races.