SHG celebrates 60 years with great success in Switzerland

Our Swiss National Member Organisation, Schweizerische Hämophilie-Gesellschaft/Association Suisse d’Hémophilie (SHG/ASH), had plenty to celebrate during their 60th anniversary weekend in Villars-sur-Ollon on May 17-18, 2025. Around 100 community members from across Switzerland attended the educational and networking event, with participants raving about the organisation, quality of talks, and the warm atmosphere at the hotel. Thanks to interpreters, all participants were able to follow the presentations.

The weekend kicked off with some truly moving presentations about how far haemophilia treatment has come. Arnold Gredig shared his personal story of growing up without the prophylactic treatments we have today, while Dr Brigitte Brand talked about her work with the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) in developing countries where access to treatment is still a major challenge. Dr Cédric Hermans from Brussels got everyone thinking about the future with his talk on achieving a “haemophilia-free mind” – the idea that new therapies like gene therapy could one day free people not just physically but mentally from the constant worry about bleeding and treatment planning.

The medical sessions wrapped up with Dr Lorenzo Alberio and Dr Mattia Rizzi discussing therapy decisions, especially for children who haven’t been treated before. The afternoon workshops covered various topics, including aquagym, injection training, women’s bleeding disorders, and treatment for older patients. Many participants expressed interest in having more time for these hands-on sessions.

Sunday morning saw SHG President Gabriel Lottaz leading the 60th general assembly, followed by a closing brunch where conversations continued after the official program ended. The organising committee, led by SHG Director Camilla Wensing, brought the Swiss bleeding disorders community together for this milestone anniversary.

SHG expressed its gratitude to the EHC for the Activity Grant that made this event possible.