Fourth International Alpha-1 Patient Congress April 11th 2013

Dear Friends of Alpha-1,

In April 1963, Swedish researchers Carl-Bertil Laurell and Sten Eriksson published their landmark research on the discovery of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery, the Fourth International Alpha-1 Patient Congress and an international Research Conference on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency will be held in Barcelona, Spain, April 11th - 13th, 2013.

Alphas from all over the world are welcome to attend the Congress, and Alpha-1 patient associations from many countries are expected to send delegates. The Research Conference will be held April 11-12, and there will be a joint session of patients and scientists on the afternoon of Friday, April 12.
National Patient Associations can name two delegates per country as guests of the meeting organizer for two nights, with travel, hotel and meals included.    
Please let me know who plans on attending from your Association. Log on to the conference website at www.alpha-1barcelona2013.org for further information.
Please also consider posting a story on your Associations website with a link to congress website.

Kind Regards,

Angela McBride
Steering Committee Barcelona Congress
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alpha-1 Patient Involved in Rare Disease Day 2012

The 29th of February 2012 is the 5th International Rare Disease Day, and to raise awareness of this day a promotional video was recorded featuring people who have a rare disease. The video was shot in Dublin and includes one of our Alpha-1 patients, Josephine McGuirk.

The rare disease awareness video can be seen here. You can also read Josephine's story in her own words here.

Report from Alpha-1 Patient Conference 2011

The Annual Alpha-1 Patient Conference for 2011 was a big success. Thanks to everyone that turned up on the day. The Alpha-1 Patient Support group had a successful meeting in the afternoon. They discussed future fundraising and awareness projects and got plenty of ideas from Angela McBride, Director of Development, Alpha-1 Foundation, USA. If anyone would like to get involved in further fundraising or has any ideas, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Phone: 01-8093871.