Know the Basics: How can I level up my patient advocacy?

In this webinar, the participants will learn about existing patient advocate trainings, how they were developed, how they were conducted and what they entail.

We will present ongoing and upcoming training opportunities for patient advocates hosted by organisations such as WECAN, EUPATI, KickCancer, EURORDIS and CCI!

Participants are invited to use the Q&A session to present efforts from their countries or organisations.

About the Speakers:

Laia Bisbal Arnal

Laia is the Open Classroom Coordinator of The European Patients’ Academy (EUPATI). EUPATI is a public-private and multi-stakeholder partnership that provides education and training to increase the capacity and capability of patients and patient representatives to understand and meaningfully contribute to medicines research and development (R&D). Laia has been working at EUPATI since 2022 in the coordination and development of the EUPATI Open Classroom, the online training platform. She is also part of the Training Committee of the Patient Expert Training Programme, a training programme that covers the entire life cycle of medicines R&D. Laia has a degree in Economics and a master’s degree in international cooperation, human rights, and social inclusion. Her professional background includes training design and facilitation, consulting, and project coordination in partnership with governmental and non-profit organizations. 

Rachel Butcher

Rachel rejoined EURORDIS in September 2022 as the Training Manager for the Open Academy programme, which empowers patient advocates with knowledge and skills to take part in patient engagement roles side-by-side with all stakeholders and to advocate for rare diseases on a European and national level. She is responsible for the end-to-end organisation of training activities, ensuring high-quality organisation and delivery of the various programmes proposed by the Open Academy. She has previously worked with EURORDIS in both the Events team, mainly helping to organise ECRD 2018, as well as with the Open Academy team as an assistant. Prior to rejoining EURORDIS as the Open Academy Training Manager, she coordinated grassroot organisations helping refugees in Northern France. Rachel has an undergraduate degree in French and Psychology from Newcastle University in the UK and completed a Master in European Studies, studying at King’s College London and Sciences Po Paris. She speaks English and French (and is learning Spanish!). 

Sara Dederichs

Sara draws from over 25 years of rich experience in leading, training as well as mentoring diverse and multicultural teams towards defined joint goals. With a background in social psychology and new leadership methodologies, Sara brings a unique perspective to her role as coordinator of the EPAI team and navigator of the EPAI project portfolio. Beyond her project management responsibilities, Sara serves as the driving force behind the WECAN Secretariat and is a member of the WECAN Coordination team. She leverages her expertise in leadership and understanding of team dynamics to ensure the optimal use of team resources and foster collaboration, leading to innovation and succesfull team outcomes. Sara is based in Germany, was raised in Spain and is fluent in German, English, Spanish and has a basic level of understanding Catalan, Portuguese and Italian. She has two adolescent daughters.

Alice Gerbaux

Alice has a diploma in economics. She started her career in sales for BIC and Nestlé and later became in charge of marketing and communication for a NGO active in the field of sustainable forests. In her day-to-day life at  KickCancer Alice is in charge of the defence of young patients with cancer, and more specifically so by supervising a training that will help them become expert patient and by coordinating their participation in international and KickCancer’s internal projects. The final aim of Alice’s role at KickCancer is to ensure that research and the legal framework meet the needs of sick children and lead to more efficacious and less toxic treatments.

Raluca Popa

Raluca is the Global Programme Manager, joining Childhood Cancer International at the beginning of this year. Prior to this, Raluca was in charge of the programme coordination of the emergency response for Ukraine on behalf of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. She has experience in coordinating international volunteering projects and capacity building programmes for NGOs. With a strong interest for education and lifelong learning, she is a certified trainer focused on experiential learning and human rights. Raluca is a passionate person with a special heart for children.