News from Oceania and South Africa
From Regional Patient Advocate Fiona Wardmann
2024 Highlights
I’m an RPA for countries in the APAC region and South Africa, and seeing the growth within individual Member Organizations (MO) has been remarkable. They support more patients than ever to learn about HAE, access clinical trials, and access modern medications.
Another highlight was seeing so many MO leaders from the region participate in the 2024 HAEi Global Leadership Workshop and take so much back home to implement in their countries.
I had the opportunity to attend in-person and online patient meetings and scientific conferences in China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Korea, Singapore, India, and Australasia. I also attended the 2024 patient meeting in South Africa. It was a privilege to witness their progress firsthand and to see the increasing knowledge and interest in HAE in these countries.
We end the year with five RPAs covering the APAC region. We collaborate closely to share successes, challenges, and information to support each other and enhance our work.
Hopes for 2025
My hopes for the countries I support include creating more clinical trial opportunities for patients without access to modern therapies so that they can live as normal a life as possible.
I aim to work closely with MOs to strengthen their organizations, secure funding, and expand awareness and education about HAE to better support patients and their families.
I’m excited to connect with more patients and families at the 2025 HAEi Regional Conference APAC in Manila, engage with the South African community during the 2025 HAEi Regional Conference EMEA, and help make both conferences a huge success.