Stefano Pavanello attends Budapest Transplantation Conference

On the 10 and 11 July, the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Organ Donation and Transplantation was held in Budapest, Hungary.  

Stefano Pavanello, ELF PAC member and patient advocate, attended the conference alongside Brian Ward, ERS advocacy director. The event addressed topics from funding research programmes, to increasing education about organ donation. Discussing these issues is important to ensure that lung transplants can become more accessible for people living with severe lung conditions.  

A lung transplant is an option for some patients with severe lung disease when other treatments will no longer work. This can give someone a further chance at life. Previously, Hungary has advanced this area of medicine, with the recent conference being one of many to address the complexities and rising demand for transplantation. 

Having received a lung transplant, Stefano was thankful for the opportunity to attend the conference and recognises the importance of raising awareness of lung transplants and organ donation:  

“The experience of transplantation is complex and continues far beyond the fundamental element of donation. The recipient must learn to live a second life and there is still much to be done in terms of research. ELF works hard to support those needing a lung transplant and the lung transplant recipient community.” – Stefano Pavanello, ELF PAC member who has received a lung transplant.

Lung transplants remain an important opportunity for some people living with severe lung conditions and the Budapest conference advocated for this. More work is needed to make sure that people who need a lung transplant have access to one.  

ELF works alongside many people living with lung conditions and aims to improve treatment and their quality of life. In 2023, we welcomed Dimitris Kontopidis as the new ELF Chair, a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient who previously refused a lung transplant to force change in Greece and improve the lives of fellow CF patients.  His advocacy work continues today through the ELF Chair’s Campaign which is working to raise awareness of lung transplantation and demand equal access for all. 

If you are living with a lung condition and are interested in becoming an advocate for lung health, apply to join one of ELF’s Patient Advisory Groups and make your voice heard.  

Also, learn more about organ donation on our website.