From Regional Patient Advocate Fernanda De Oliveira Martins
The past months were of preparation for the 2024 HAEi Global Leadership Workshop (GLW); preparing some Member Organization (MO) leaders for participation in the GLW program, translating the last guide for the participants, and planning the activities for the South America and Mexico breakout session. While working towards the GLW, I could still assist the MOs in implementing HAEi tools, including developing the Emergency Department poster tailored for Venezuela, and supporting the advocacy for modern HAE treatments by participating in public consultations in Brazil.
At the GLW, I led the South America and Mexico breakout session. The goals: foster connections, learning, and fun! We were a group of around 70, some old friends who were seeing each other again, and meeting new people. For the activities, we split into 10 teams with people from different nationalities in each team. The afternoon began with MO leaders reflecting on successes, challenges, and future ambitions. A balloon activity highlighted problems and opportunities, fostering collaboration and initial steps toward goals. We concluded with an enjoyable quiz to test knowledge and to learn more about the disease, HAEi, and its tools. We thoroughly enjoyed the group’s energy, each leaving recharged to achieve more in their own countries.