Author
Marion Wilkens, Alpha1 Germany eV, as published in Alpha1 Journal 2/2023.
Dear Alphas, dear family members and dear Alpha1 enthusiasts,
There's already something else to celebrate, barely after the anniversary festivities have ended. We've achieved one of our goals:
The association has 1,000 members! That's 1,000 strong voices, 1,000 helpers in spreading information, and 1,000 hearts beating for Alpha1 Germany, because the association is us, all of us!
According to one commonly used classification, companies with ten to 499 employees are considered medium-sized – our organization already has 1,000 people working on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Okay, the second classification is based on annual revenue, and we definitely need to work on that.
Sometimes it really does feel like we're a company with all the trimmings: legal, marketing, and finance departments, accounting and administration, basic research and product development, management, and various committees. We have all of that, too; it's just called something different. You'll find our terminology throughout the many pages of our journal; for example, we call our Treasurer (page 48), Social-
Media Helper (page 10), Hotline Voice (page 10), Member Data Administrator, European Representative, or simply Board of Directors and Advisory Board (found everywhere). It's not just in the terminology that we differ significantly from a company – even if that's sometimes forgotten – we are all volunteers and dedicated to our work.
We manage everything alongside our jobs, families, households, and personal lives. We always give our best, but sometimes we simply can't do any more. Our journal accurately reflects our experiences, what we initiate, and what we accomplish within our patient organization.
Enjoy reading and please be patient if something doesn't happen immediately. We all can.
We proudly conclude the year and look back with satisfaction – although, of course, planning for 2024 is already underway (page 11), and we look forward to seeing you at one or more events. Have a wonderful start to the new year, stay healthy and active.
Her
PS: Why not send someone some New Year's greetings using the enclosed postcard?.
