Natalia Formaniuk, President, HAE Ukraine

This fall, Ukraine participated in the 2025 HAEi Regional Conference EMEA in Rome, ‘Embracing Opportunities’.

On October 10–12, the 2025 HAEi Regional Conference EMEA was held in Rome, bringing together representatives of patient organizations, leading doctors, scientists, and industry representatives from around the world. For the Ukrainian community, this event was an opportunity to present the results of our joint work and join the global dialogue on improving the quality of life of patients with HAE.

Representatives of the patient and medical community participated in the conference from the Ukrainian HAE Association. HAE specialists Lyudmila Zabrodska, Anastasia Bondarenko, and Khrystyna Yakimovich-Lishchuk presented a poster with the results of an interdisciplinary study on the genetic characteristics of HAE in Ukraine. Professor Anastasia Bondarenko gave an oral presentation, adequately answering the questions of colleagues from different countries. We are sincerely proud of our doctors, who, with their work, strengthen the position of Ukrainian medicine at the international level. Their contribution, together with the international team, to improving diagnostics, treatment, and support for patients with HAE is invaluable, because behind every scientific report there is a human life, alleviated suffering, and restored hope.

The days of the conference were full of speeches by the president of HAEi, management, regional advocates, and patients who shared their stories and experiences on using opportunities. Our team gained invaluable experience by getting acquainted with the latest methods of treatment and prevention. In the question session, we heard answers from specialists to frequently asked questions that cause discussions and disputes among our patients as well.

In this warm atmosphere, we felt that the HAE community is not just an organization, but a big family, united by a common goal – to change the lives of people with HAE for the better.

I would like to highlight once again the statement that is the motto for people with HAE – ‘Never give up!’

This is a short but powerful phrase that reminds us: every opportunity is a step forward. And it is important not to stop, even when the path is difficult.