Author
Alpha1 Germany eV, as published in Alpha1 Journal 1/2023.
Hello Katrin, we would like to officially welcome you once again to our Alpha1 family. You have been employed on a part-time basis since August 2022 and primarily support Marion with your assistance. How did you come to work at Alpha1?
I've been involved in self-help groups since 2005. It all started with temporary jobs. Back then, our large dining room table was piled high with ten different pieces of information that had to be put into a large envelope to be sent to the members of the German Respiratory Disease Patient League. It's hard to imagine that kind of effort today, since information flows so much faster thanks to the internet. Looking for a more permanent position, I was hired by PCM (Pharmedico Consulting Mainz), which led me to the Lung Exercise Working Group. When PCM was sold and relocated to Mainz, the German Respiratory Disease Patient League offered me the opportunity to manage their office from home. Since my two boys were still very young at the time, I was naturally thrilled with this opportunity. I dedicated myself to this role until the end of 2021. Then, quite by chance, a new path presented itself, one that initially took me away from self-help groups. Over the years, I attended many DGP congresses and that's how I met Marion. I think I can safely say we hit it off immediately. When Marion learned that I was no longer working for the self-help group, she asked me if I'd be interested in supporting her. We quickly came to an agreement, and now I've been involved for almost a year.
What do you particularly like about your job?
Where do I even begin? I love organizing and planning, so I was immediately involved in planning this year's information day in Bad Wildungen. I thoroughly enjoy supporting the board, as I've been amazed and impressed from the start by how much such a small team can accomplish, with everyone contributing their strengths. We're currently planning the next group leader meeting in October, and through this meeting, I'm gradually getting to know more and more people who are dedicated to raising awareness about Alpha1 among even more doctors, enabling faster and better access to patients. This enthusiasm is contagious, and I'm truly grateful to be a part of it. I'm really looking forward to the next events we'll be attending together, so I can meet as many members of the Alpha1 family as possible in person.
What do you do when you're not working for Alpha1?
I'm a real family person and love spending my free time with my family and friends. My two boys are now 19 and 21. They (unfortunately) don't need me as much anymore, so I cherish every moment they share with me.
I also love nature. Thanks to our dog, Chico, I spend a lot of time outdoors. We especially enjoy long hikes in the mountains or across fields, meadows, and through the forest. This calms me when everything else around me becomes hectic; exercise in the fresh air isn't just important for Alpha-1 patients.
