We are delighted to introduce you to our latest EHC addition, Camilla Lombardi, who joined us in March 2024 as Communication and Project Officer.
Camilla, welcome to the EHC, can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and raised in Italy, where I graduated from the University of Bologna with a Bachelor’s in Political, Social, and International Sciences and a Master’s in Mass Media and Politics, putting a special focus on gender studies in both my thesis. I’ve always been passionate about writing, already writing poems and short stories when I was just a child. As I was growing up, and diving increasingly into social and political sciences, I decided to throw myself into journalism. Towards the end of my university career, then I joined a grassroots youth association running an online magazine on international geopolitics. I eventually became chief of the section covering Eastern Europe and Central Asia, but I extensively wrote about gender issues too. I even created an editorial project about feminist movements in post-soviet and Asian countries that was turned into a Spotify podcast a few years ago. It was an extraordinary experience that gave me the chance to collaborate with some very brilliant scholars and writers. So, after my Master’s, I tried out the freelance journalist life for a short while, as I continued to look around in search of more stable employment.
I had already approached the not-for-profit world in my hometown in Italy when, in 2019, I was chosen to do a year of national civil service in a local NGO fighting against gender violence. Keeping this very inspiring experience in mind, among many different traineeship applications, I also applied for the unit liaising with civil society at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. And I got in! That opportunity enabled me to gain significant exposure to the European not-for-profit sector, which led me to the decision to start working there. Over the last few years, I had the chance to collaborate with some amazing professionals in international NGOs fighting for human rights and diversity, like the European Civic Forum and Autism-Europe, where I learnt a lot about communications, advocacy, and projects. And here I am now!
What attracted you to join the EHC?
I wish my work to be dedicated to making the world a better place, especially for vulnerable people. For personal reasons, I’ve gradually come to understand that health is a very urgent and important topic for us all, from physical to mental wellbeing. It’s not always easy for patients to be heard and seen in the healthcare sector. So, when I got to know better the EHC, I was very impressed by its dedicated team of professionals, so committed to improving the quality of life of the EHC patient community.
What are your main priorities at the EHC?
From now on I’ll work closely with Daria to ensure that communication actions run smoothly inside and outside the EHC, starting with taking care of the monthly newsletter, social media, websites, and awareness-raising campaigns. I’ll also contribute to the development of a range of projects and the planning of different events, like the upcoming EHC Conferences and workshops. I am very much looking forward to meeting the community members face-to-face in Brussels in June at the EHC Leadership Conference.
What do you enjoy doing outside work in your free time?
I’m a pretty sociable person, so I enjoy spending time with my loved ones – especially at concerts, movies, exhibitions, or in front of some good food. I recently discovered that I love cooking, it’s a kind of love language. Whenever it’s sunny outside I run out for some yoga at the park. I also like going out of my comfort zone, so I’ve been trying theatre classes out… and I realised that I’m not bad at acting at all! I did a one-year theatre laboratory with an Italian cultural association based in Brussels, and it was amazing to perform on stage at the end. At the moment, I’m looking for new artistic stimuli, though starting to explore poetry workshops and collectives.
Jim is aged 66 and has Haemophilia A with a high titer inhibitor which he developed at age 14.
Maria Elisa Mancuso (MD, PhD) is a Haematologist and works as a Senior Haematology Consultant at the Center for Thrombosis and Haemorrhagic Diseases of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano, Milan, Italy. She is Adjunct Clinical Professor at Humanitas University. She obtained a post-degree in Clinical and Experimental Haematology and a PhD in Clinical Methodology. She is involved in clinical research and has published several original articles in peer-reviewed journals a The Lancet, Blood, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Haematologica, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, British Journal of Haematology and Haemophilia. She is reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and member of the Editorial Board of JTH. She is a member of several scientific societies (ISTH, WFH, ASH, EAHAD, SISET, AICE) and was a medical member of the Inhibitor Working Group of the European Hemophilia Consortium. She is co-chair of the ADVANCE Study Group. She has acted also as co-chair of the Scientific and Standardization Subcommittee of ISTH on FVIII, FIX and rare bleeding disorders. She has been involved as principal and co-investigator in several clinical trials, and she takes care of both children and adults with hemophilia and other congenital bleeding disorders with a specific scientific interest in novel therapies, prophylaxis, inhibitors, and chronic hepatitis C.
As a patient with factor II deficiency, the diagnostic and treatment of rare bleeding disorders is a matter dear to my heart. My motivation to participate in the work of the ERIN committee is to improve both diagnostic and treatment for patients with rare bleeding disorders across Europe.
Economist and financial expert by profession, executive coach and trainer by passion and haemophilia advocate by every drop of my blood through my son (who has severe haemophilia A with inhibitors). Bringing a good decade of practical experience from the corporate insurance world, laser focus, growth mindset and resilience from my own experience, offering you anything I can just do, in hope that together we can make life more fulfilled for those impacted by bleeding disorders.
Amy Owen-Wyard is a Registered Mental Health Nurse. With experience working with children, young people, their families and adults with severe and enduring mental health conditions. Amy was also involved in a service improvement to provide a holistic care approach for those in general hospitals to support both their mental and physical health, whilst sharing her expertise and knowledge in mental health with the wider multidisciplinary team.
