A month ago, Camilla Wensig joined the Swiss Haemophilia Society as its new CEO, replacing Mr Jörg Kruger. In this newsletter, we wish to briefly introduce Camilla and welcome her to the European bleeding disorders community.
Hello, I am Camilla Wensing, born in Sweden and living in Interlaken, Switzerland, since 1992. I am married to Luca, who is from Italy. We have one grown-up son, Enea. Enea has severe haemophilia B. He completed an ITI (immune tolerance therapy) in 2018. I was diagnosed with a mild form of Von Willebrand about five years ago. We are also proud owners of Arpi, a 15-year-old Chihuahua mix who enjoys his food, sleeping and short walks.
I look forward to taking on the SHG (Schweizerische Hämophilie Gesellschaft) CEO role. I will have a steep learning curve ahead of me. I am ready to tackle and overcome the challenges. With the support from President Gabriel Lottaz and the board, I feel positive and welcome in our organisation.
Since Enea’s diagnosis, we, as a family, have benefited greatly from SHG and learned a lot. The SHG has always supported me and allowed me to find contacts and friendships with other families with the same experiences. Many events have remained in my memory, including the injection courses, the summer camps and informative family meetings.
Before accepting the role of CEO, I worked for Interlaken Tourism for the past 16 years. In the haemophilia community, I have been involved as an inhibitor ambassador for the EHC. My first visit to the inhibitor meeting in Barretstown deeply impacted me. It was an eye-opener, and I realized that many patients face big challenges. Friendships with the international community are very important to me.
Together with Dr Kobelt, I have organized several haemophilia camps. I have also been a speaker about parenting and my experiences with a child with severe haemophilia B and an inhibitor.
I spend as much time as possible with my family in my free time. I love being outdoors and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Bernese Oberland.
I look forward to meeting you all in person! See you soon!
Warm regards
Camilla Wensing
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.
