Unprecedented weather in Dubai may have put LEAP 2024 on pause, but it just made organizers Nevena and Debs more determined. Even floods in the desert can’t stop HAEi’s youth advocacy and education program for long! The LEAP program, which allows young people to learn new skills and develop as individuals and advocates, returned bigger and better than ever for 2025.
“Classes were so entertaining, including the breaks. I was always excited to learn more and to interact with my classmates.”
– LEAP 2025 Student
The postponement meant LEAP could take another step forward. Every Student due to be part of the class of 2024 was offered a spot in 2025, along with a cohort of new students. The in-person seminar grew from 2 days to 3, meaning more time for students to learn, reflect, share experiences, and get to know each other. It also provided an opportunity for HAE expert Dr Carolina Vera to sit down with the students and answer their questions.
Learn about the LEAP students
LEAP welcomed 18 students into the class of 2025; sadly, a broken leg meant 1 person had to withdraw just before the kick-off seminar in Copenhagen. Here are some key facts about the student body:
- 6 out of 10 of the group were people with HAE. The other participants were caregivers to a sibling or another family member
- Students came from as far apart as Finland in northern Europe and Peru in South America.
- With attendees from the US and India, and every HAEi conference region represented, participants came from over half the planet.
- Students ranged in age from 17 to 25. Some were still studying, others were working, and 1 was planning their wedding.
While at the in-person kick-off seminar in Copenhagen, the students received tailored education to reflect their project proposals, making sure each participant learned what they needed to turn their ideas into a reality, in collaboration with their Member Organization (MO). In addition, the HAEi Board of Directors meeting was taking place at the same time, offering further opportunities to network and share experiences.
A new aspect of LEAP 2025 was the support of pharmaceutical industry sponsors. Their presence allowed every LEAP student to meet members of the industry and understand more about the process of developing medicines, and to advocate for the needs of their community through networking and focus/advisory groups, building vital relationships.
“This is fantastic for community-building. I appreciated the way the industry was involved. I believe we de-mystified the industry a bit, and I hope we inspired the Students. We are all working to make the lives of people with HAE better, and I hope we could transmit this.”
– LEAP 2025 Supporter
As well as the education, there was time for fun too, with evening events including group dinners, an #active4HAE walk and talk, and the chance to see some of what the beautiful Danish capital has to offer.
“It was incredibly inspiring to feel the collective passion for advocacy and to gain practical tools that I can apply to improve support and awareness in my own community.”
– LEAP 2025 Student
Over the weeks following the in-person meeting, students have been undertaking bespoke online educational sessions that allow them to learn at their own pace. Nevena and Debs have been checking in with every student to ensure they feel supported as they further develop their projects towards completion later this year.
Nevena told us: “The LEAP Class of 2025 is so inspiring. The young people are so motivated, which made our job even more joyful. We just know that there are going to be so many exciting ideas and projects taking place in the coming weeks and months. Congratulations to everyone!”
Once the online education is complete, the students will be working with their MO to deliver their project. You can keep up with the latest news from the Class of 2025 here.
For LEAP 2025, HAEi acknowledges the generous support of diamond supporters BioCryst and Pharming; gold supporters KalVista and Pharvaris; and silver sponsor Astria Therapeutics.
