Life Sciences - In Focus Ep 06 - Magdalena Daccord, FH Europe Foundation

Magdalena Daccord, CEO of FH Europe Foundation, leads the organization in advocating for individuals with familial hyperlipidaemias (FH). Under her leadership, FH Europe drives patient support, health policy improvements, and collaborations with European institutions.

Transforming Patient Advocacy

Since joining FH Europe in 2019, Magdalena has expanded the network’s reach and solidified its presence in European public health. A key achievement is relocating FH Europe's legal base to the Netherlands, aligning with its EU project goals.

Raising Awareness for Inherited Lipid Conditions

Magdalena's vision for FH Europe is to improve awareness and care for inherited lipid conditions, which predispose individuals to high cholesterol and heart disease. Although these conditions affect over 4 billion people worldwide, awareness remains low. FH Europe is working to improve health literacy and encourage preventative care, shifting focus from reactive treatments to better health outcomes.

The Work of FH Europe

The FH Europe Foundation advocates for individuals with both common and rare forms of familial hyperlipidemia. Established in 2016 as a charitable organization, it has grown significantly and become a leading voice in European public health. Its move to the Netherlands reflects its ambition to engage in broader EU cardiovascular health projects.

Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships

Collaboration is key to FH Europe's mission. By partnering with patient groups, medical communities, and the life sciences sector, FH Europe ensures its initiatives are science-based and widely supported. The creation of advisory committees and an industry roundtable highlights its commitment to innovative partnerships.

Challenges in Advocacy

Magdalena acknowledges the challenges of running a non-profit in the public health space, from securing funding to navigating communication barriers. Despite these hurdles, her team is committed to adapting strategies that meet community needs.

Impactful Patient Stories

Magdalena shared stories of lives transformed by FH Europe’s advocacy, such as an eight-year-old boy in Lebanon fighting for access to care. Involving people with lived experiences as ambassadors personalizes their advocacy efforts and strengthens the community.

Looking Ahead: Goals and Initiatives

FH Europe’s future focuses on personalized prevention and precision medicine. Magdalena stresses the importance of robust governance, a clear mission, and securing appropriate projects and funding to ensure long-term impact.

Join the Cause

Magdalena encouraged listeners to get involved by checking cholesterol, sharing awareness, or volunteering. With FH Awareness Day on September 24, now is the perfect time to join the cause. FH Europe is also hosting a logo competition as part of its awareness campaign.

Conclusion

Magdalena's leadership is shaping FH Europe’s critical work in patient advocacy. Their continued efforts promise to make a lasting impact on those affected by inherited lipid conditions. Learn more about their initiatives at FH Europe Foundation.

About Life Sciences - In Focus

Life Sciences - In Focus Podcast by Visatatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics Follow Life Sciences - In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences - In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.

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