16/11/2022
European Cystic Fibrosis Week – Open Online Conference
“The Changing Face of Cystic Fibrosis”
The new developments that are gradually transforming Cystic Fibrosis from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic disease will be presented at the web conference, which takes place in the framework of the European Cystic Fibrosis Week, entitled “The Changing Face of Cystic Fibrosis”, on Sunday 20 November 2022, from 11.00 to 16.00.
The conference is under the auspices of Cystic Fibrosis Europe, European Lung Foundation, Hellenic Lung Society and Hellenic Paediatric Lung Society. The event will begin with a welcome address by the Minister of Health, Athanasios Plevris.
“Our aim is to inform and raise public awareness in order to prevent the disease. Cystic fibrosis is the most prevalent hereditary disease in Greece with more than 500,000 carriers – corresponding to 4-5% of the general population – and more than 800 registered patients across the country. Considering the extremely high number of carriers, the conference will be open, with free access, to the general public” says Anna Spinou, President of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
The conference will be attended by medical specialists from the largest hospitals and specialized Cystic Fibrosis Centers in the country, as well as health scientists, who will provide useful information on:
-prevention of the disease and early diagnosis
-the treatment of patients with Cystic Fibrosis
-the complications in the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory system
-compliance of Greek patients with the treatments of the disease
-the latest data on the effect of innovative CFTR Modulators treatments
-the newest developments from the North American & Pan-European Cystic Fibrosis Congress
-lung transplants with the Greek lung transplantation programme and organ donation
-respiratory physiotherapy and nutrition for Cystic Fibrosis patients
-the results of the group cognitive behavioural psychotherapy programme at the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
-the achievements and goals of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, which in a few months will complete 40 years since its foundation
During the Conference, patients and caregivers of patients will talk about their personal experiences.
Patients/carers and the public will be able to follow the Conference proceedings live at event.cysticfibrosis.gr and ask questions to each speaker.
The conference will be addressed by Jacquelien Noordeck, President of the European Cystic Fibrosis Association CF Europe, Loukidis Stylianos, President of the Hellenic Pulmonary Society, Professor of Pulmonology, School of Medicine, University of Athens and Paraskakis Emmanouil, President of the Hellenic Paediatric Pulmonology Society, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, University of Crete.
Speakers of the event are: Argiri Petrocheilou, Pediatrician – Pediatric pulmonologist, CF Unit, Paidon-Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital, Athens, Filia Diamantea, Pulmonologist, Head adults CF Unit, Sismanoglio Hospital, Athens, Elpida Hatziagorou, Associate Professor of Pediatric Pulmonology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Head of CF Unit, “Hippokratio” Children’s Hospital, Thessaloniki, Katerina Manika, Associate Professor of Respiratory Diseases and Tuberculosis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Head of adults CF Unit, “Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Maria Fotoulaki, Professor of Paediatrics – Paediatric Gastroenterology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Responsible of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Department, “Papageorgiou” Hospital, Nikolaos Tsokos, – Diabetologist, PhD National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Director of Diabetes Clinic, Sismanoglio Hospital, Pavlos Maragkoudakis, Otolaryngologist Surgeon and Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, B’ University Clinic of Attikon Hospital, Athens, President of Hellenic Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Iraklis Tsagkaris, Pulmonologist and Intensivist, Associate Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Head of the 2nd Department of Critical Care Medicine, Attikon University, Athens, Head of Greek Lung Transplant Program, Themistoklis Hamogeorgakis, Director of 2nd Cardiac Surgery Department, Responsible Cardiac surgeon of Lung and Heart Transplantation Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Mixalis Hourdakis, Associate Professor of Basic Medical Nutrition – Hygiene, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Petros Loudos, PM OMT, Physiotherapist, “Sismanoglio” Hospital, Athens, Pavlina Peftoulidou, Physiotherapist, CF Unit, “Hippokratio” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Stavroula Rakitzi, Dr., Dipl.-Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist and cognitive behavioral Psychotherapist, Anna Spinou, President of Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and Board Member of Rare Diseases Greece.
Platinum supporter: Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Important supporters: Chiesi Hellas, Gilead Sciences
Donor: PARI
