Take part in an online video course for young patient advocates!

As we enter the seventh edition of PatientAdvocacy.Academy, we continue to address key topics that simplify managing patient organizations and amplify the fight for patients' rights.

Whether you're just starting your journey with a patient organization or are a seasoned advocate, the need for a "strong" organization is universal. A robust organization means saving more patients, ensuring better treatment, and enabling fuller, more normal lives for those with rare diseases. To build such an organization, it's crucial to understand the necessary elements and how to integrate them effectively.

The primary and often most challenging task of any patient organization is advocating for patients' rights, including access to treatment. How can this be done efficiently and effectively? How can we become experts in powerful advocacy?

In this edition of PatientAdvocacy.Academy, you will discover how to build a strong and credible organization with a well-planned budget and effective fundraising strategies, supported by dedicated and committed volunteers.

PatientAdvocacy.Academy is an online video training program designed for individuals like you: leaders of patient organizations who are actively working to improve patient welfare in their countries, with a special focus on advocacy groups in the field of rare diseases.

Our goal is to equip you with the resources to strengthen your organization and amplify your impact.

Attendance in the course is completely free of charge, thanks to the support of our sponsors. Join us and elevate your advocacy efforts to the next level. Sign up now and start making a difference!

Again, we have decided to design a 21-day program containing various activities. This is a solution that we have developed together with participants over the last five years and which brings the most benefits, while enabling participation in a way that is easy to reconcile with their daily duties and professional work.

The first days of the course will be dedicated to introducing the topic and getting to know each other better on the private Facebook group.

Then, for 2 weeks, every work day we will provide online videos (10 total) covering the most important topics, supported by daily discussions on Facebook group and team-work during live sessions. We will also take care of English subtitles so that each participant can understand the content, even if he or she is not fluent in English. Each video will also consist of many additional screens, charts and infographics to make learning easier and more enjoyable.

Additional educational materials will be prepared for each video lesson, which allows you to consolidate your knowledge and immediately translate it into practical solutions for your patient organizations.

In previous editions, thanks to online video conferences, we created a significant sense of unity across the participants, who learned from each other, motivated themselves and provided others with valuable feedback. In this edition, we also plan to conduct 2 online videoconferences – coaching circles – during which participants will exchange views and experiences on the proposed topics in order to find solutions to their own obstacles.

All the videos will be available for you on a dedicated e-platform for 6 months after the course.

It breaks down geographical barriers – you can learn with us regardless of your location – whether we're separated by hundreds of kilometers, geographical barriers won't hold you back.

It offers flexibility in terms of when and where you can learn – you have access to training materials at a time that suits you and fitting your learning around work, family, and other responsibilities.

It is more cost-effective than traditional stationary courses – you save on accommodation and transport costs.

It allows you to learn at your own pace – you adjust your learning pace depending on whether you need more time to understand difficult concepts or want to progress faster in material you find easier.

From 2010 to 2018, served as leader of the Polish Association for Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies 'Immunoprotect’ and was a member of the executive board of the international umbrella association, the International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI). For his successful patient advocacy, Goretzki was given the Luciano Vassali Award in 2014, the University of Silesia Rector’s Award in 2020, RARE Champion of Hope in 2022 and the EURORDIS Black Pearl Award in 2023. Professional lawyer, advisor, and speaker. Fascinated with opportunities given by new technologies in the field of education.

Business psychologist with vast amount of experience in designing and developing online courses. Successful TEDx speaker (over 400k views), author of many scientific publications on international conferences and articles popularizing psychological knowledge. Co-author of a handbook for PID patients – “Fullness of life”. Using professional skills and experience for the past few years engaged in a voluntary work with people with rare diseases. In the Healthcare Education Institute she is responsible for the scientific part of our job, focusing herself on coordinating studies and reports.

A lawyer by profession, in recent years she has worked in criminal justice body, where she also dealt with medical malpractice cases. She gained experience in working with groups of patients primarily as a project manager in the Polish Association for Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies "Immunoprotect" in 2014-2017. At the Healthcare Education Institute, she is responsible for coordinating ongoing projects and cooperation with patient organizations, mainly in matters related to reimbursement, access to treatment and the fight for patients' rights.

Day 1-3

Day 5-9

Day 7

Day 12-16

Day 14

Day 16

Day 21