INVITATIE ASOCIATIE DE PACIENTI

FORUMUL NATIONAL AL ASOCIATIILOR DE PACIENTI
5-7 martie 2010, Bucuresti
Motto: „Nimic pentru noi, fara noi!”

Dan Bucataru is our support group leader in Romania.  We met Dan in 2004 when he attended the Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorder Symposium in Baltimore.  Shortly after the symposium, Dan became involved in the Romanian support group and began his advocacy work for people with TM, ADEM and NMO.  Dan was invited to the Romanian National Forum of the Association of Patients on 5-7 March 2010, in Bucharest. 

The Forum is a collaborative effort of the Chronic Coalition Organizations in Romania, established by the Romanian General Assembly in 2009, and the College of Physicians in Romania.  The Chronic Coalition Organizations is the only national organization that represents the associations and federations advocating for patients across Romania.  The Forum will bring together over 400 members of the federations and associations of patients to have a dialogue for an exchange of experience between associates. The forum aims to inform authorities, healthcare professionals and the whole society on the work of patient groups and to emphasize the importance of such bodies which fight for promotion and protection of patients in the Romanian health system.  The Forum will address issues and patients’ involvement in projects and initiatives dedicated to health, but also in health policy at the national and regional level to support the College of Physicians in Romania.   

It is hoped that through this event, the patients’ associations will be more effectively recognized as an important part of the Romanian health system. Another important outcome of the meeting will be the publication of the first Patient Guide, a publication for the general public which will contain medical information and other important information for patients.    
 
Dan will be representing The Transverse Myelitis Association at the Forum and will be advocating for our members in Romania.  This is a great honor for Dan and a great opportunity for our community.