News from South Asia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Israel

From Regional Patient Advocate Fanny Schappler

2025 highlights

This year has been exceptionally productive and inspiring across the 10 countries in my region. A major highlight was the tremendous collaboration with our Member Organization (MO) volunteers. Together, we translated more than five HAEi resources into seven local languages – a crucial milestone for ensuring that community members who do not read or understand English can access clear, reliable information about HAE in their own language.

Another key achievement was hosting the first online HAE webinar in Pakistan, which brought together over 40 doctors eager to learn more about the condition. With only a few dozen diagnosed patients and an estimated 8,000 people potentially living with HAE in Pakistan, equipping physicians with the right knowledge is essential for improving diagnosis rates.

Additionally, the Asia Pacific video series, produced with the generous participation of Dr Ankur Jindal and Prof Philip Li, became a cornerstone educational tool – creating impactful content that can support clinicians across the region in recognizing HAE and diagnosing new patients.

Beyond these projects, I continued supporting the launch of HAE Heat Map in Bangladesh, strengthening clinician partnerships, and helping several countries develop their advocacy strategies. Watching patient leaders grow in confidence and influence has truly been one of the year’s most rewarding aspects.

Hopes and goals for 2026

With my recent assignment to Central Asia, one of my goals is to explore opportunities to establish an MO in Uzbekistan, where discussions with a highly committed professor give me hope of identifying a suitable patient or caregiver to lead this effort.

I am also excited to attend the first-ever HAE symposium in Sri Lanka on 30 January, co-organized by the newly established Institute of Allergology and Immunology. I hope that this visit will pave the way to identifying a future leader to start an MO in Sri Lanka as well.

Above all, my priority for 2026 is to continue expanding awareness, strengthening local leadership, and ensuring that more patients – wherever they live – are finally seen, diagnosed, and supported.