Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland

28/05/2026

Professor Gerry McElvaney, Professor of Medicine at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Respiratory Consultant at Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, has been awarded the 2026 Joachim Hilfenhaus Award by the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA).

This prestigious international award recognises outstanding contributions to the treatment and understanding of plasma protein deficiencies. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency ( ) belongs to this family of plasma protein deficiencies and Professor McElvaney’s research over the last 40 years has led to new & improved treatments and care for people with Alpha-1. Alpha-1 advocate and patient Frank Willersinn from Alpha-1 Europe Alliance asbl presented Professor McElvaney with his award.

Read more: https://www.pptaglobal.org/material/professor-noel-gerard-mcelvaney-receives-the-2026-joachim-hilfenhaus-award

27/05/2026

Just under 2 weeks to go until a team of young researchers based at the Irish Centre for Genetic Lung Disease based at RCSI Beaumont Hospital take on this amazing challenge in aid of .

If you would like to support their challenge, just visit their website at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/alpha1foundationireland1

A group of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland respiratory researchers, doctors and scientists based at Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9 are taking part in Hell & Back in June 2026. We are very grateful that they have chosen to raise funds for Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland.

The researchers are taking on this challenge to help raise awareness of Alpha-1 and support the important work that Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland does for the Alpha-1 community on the island of Ireland. If you would like to donate to their campaign, simply visit the page below and donate whatever you can. Rest assured that all donations are processed securely.

Please like and share to show your support.

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/alpha1foundationireland1

25/05/2026

Important call from the European Lung Foundation for people with Alpha-1 to take part in research, education and healthcare activities...

🌍 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮-𝟭 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗣𝗔𝗚)!

People living with Alpha-1, as well as family members and carers, are invited to join a new European Patient Advisory Group supported by the European Lung Foundation.

This is an opportunity to help shape research, education, and care across , working alongside patients, healthcare professionals, and partners.

💬 Get involved by:
• Sharing your lived experience
• Giving feedback on research and patient information
• Helping improve awareness and care
• Contributing ideas for future projects

🤝 Participation is flexible — from occasional email input to online meetings via Zoom.

👥 Who can join?
Adults (18+) with Alpha-1 experience as a patient, family member, or carer, able to communicate in English.

🔗 Learn more: https://europeanlung.org/en/people-and-partners/patient-advisory-groups/alpha-1-patient-advisory-group/

📩 Interested? Contact: [email protected]

Alpha 1 Österreich 🇦🇹 (Austria) Alpha-1 plus 🇧🇪 (Belgium) Alpha-1-Antitrypsin in Deutschland 🇩🇪 (Germany) Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland 🇮🇪 (Ireland) Associazione Nazionale Alfa-1-AT 🇮🇹 (Italy) Longfonds 🇳🇱 (Netherlands) Alfa-1 Norden / Alpha-1 Nordic 🇩🇰 🇫🇮 🇳🇴 🇸🇪 (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) AA1P- Associação Alfa 1 de Portugal 🇵🇹 Asociatia Alfasim 🇷🇴 (Romania) Alfa España 🇪🇸 (Spain) Fundación Lovexair 🇪🇸 (Spain) Alpha-1 Switzerland 🇨🇭 (Switzerland) Alpha-1 UK 🇬🇧 (UK)

22/05/2026

Our friends in the US Alpha-1 Foundation are hosting their excellent annual patient conference from June 4th-7th. If anybody in Ireland would like to attend virtually from the comfort of your own home, click on the link below to register:

https://alpha1.org/a1fnc26-virtual-registration/

21/05/2026

Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland visited HSE Ireland Letterkenny University Hospital in Donegal today. Donegal has a high prevalence of Alpha-1 so the visit is an important chance to raise awareness and talk about the exciting new therapies being developed, including some being trialled at Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9 and by researchers at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. It was lovely to meet some old friends too. Thanks to Patricia McLaughlin and colleagues for the invite and the warm welcome!

20/05/2026

📬 Stay connected with us and our member organisations across Europe!🌍

📰 Our monthly brings together the latest updates from the Alliance and our community — including activities, events, projects, and key work in awareness, advocacy, research, and patient-focused initiatives.

Be part of a growing European voice for people living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ( )

✉️ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚-𝟏 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬!
Subscribe today via our website: https://alpha1europe.org/

20/05/2026

📬 Stay connected with us and our member organisations across Europe!🌍

📰 Our monthly brings together the latest updates from the Alliance and our community — including activities, events, projects, and key work in awareness, advocacy, research, and patient-focused initiatives.

Be part of a growing European voice for people living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ( )

✉️ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚-𝟏 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬!
Subscribe today via our website: https://alpha1europe.org/

12/05/2026

A group of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland respiratory researchers, doctors and scientists based at Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9 are taking part in Hell & Back in June 2026. We are very grateful that they have chosen to raise funds for Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland.

The researchers are taking on this challenge to help raise awareness of Alpha-1 and support the important work that Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland does for the Alpha-1 community on the island of Ireland. If you would like to donate to their campaign, simply visit the page below and donate whatever you can. Rest assured that all donations are processed securely.

Please like and share to show your support.

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/alpha1foundationireland1

01/05/2026

Today, we join 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, an important global initiative by the Wilhelm Foundation and the UDNI (Undiagnosed Diseases Network International)

🌍 Around 350 million people are living without a diagnosis — facing uncertainty, delays, and missed opportunities for care.

For the Alpha-1 community, this reality is all too familiar. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ( ) remains widely underdiagnosed, with many individuals waiting years before receiving the right diagnosis and support.

🗓️ On April 29, we highlight the urgent need for timely and accurate diagnosis. Earlier detection can change lives — enabling proper care, informed decisions, and better outcomes.

28/04/2026