Adrian Goretzki - patient advocate, trainer, consultant and online education expert

In years 2010-2018 I was a leader of the Polish Association for Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies "Immunoprotect", in 2014-2016 a board member of the International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI). In 2014 I was honored with the Luciano Vassali Award. Now I am a professional trainer, advisor and speaker, who is fascinated with opportunities given by the new technologies in the field of education. I introduce video tutorials, online courses, webinars and video streaming to the areas of patient engagement and education.

I was the producer of the first ever documentary film about PID. It presents the course of the disease from the moment before the diagnosis until the period of efficient treatment. The film features real people suffering from PID, their families and physicians-immunologists. Such choice of characters provides different points of view. We have also prepared its shorter version which is displayed during congresses and conferences. Moreover, the film is being used as an educational material for medicine students, subsequently increasing the knowledge of PID among the future doctors. It has been translated into English, Portuguese and Russian.

In 2017, together with my wife, a psychologist, I have written the world's first life management handbook destined specifically for PID patients – “Fullness of life”. This is a source of knowledge for patients, their families, partners, relatives, friends, but also nurses and doctors of different specialties. We focused on 4 areas for building fulfilled, happy and active life despite of all the restrictions caused by chronic illness: communication with family, loved ones and caregivers; coping with stress and other burdens related to illness; planning the path of our life – education, career, starting a family and patient's self-esteem building.

The game that I was the originator of was created for the youngest patients with PID. It explains the issues related to immunodeficiencies in a simple and age-appropriate way. It not only enriches the knowledge of children, but also shapes their proper health-promoting habits. The game was created in cooperation with a psychologist and immunologist. The "Race for Immunity" was distributed free of charge to the youngest patients in the departments treating PID in Poland. Currently, the game has three language versions - Polish, Russian and Italian.

Adrian Goretzki first came to my attention when I was CEO of the International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiency through his involvement with the Polish patient group. He was clearly identifiable as a rising star in the field of patient advocacy. He is a well motivated and ambitious young man who sets – and achieves – high standards for himself and those he serves. His abilities as an advocate were always an inspiration to me and the leadership team for such events and his ability to transmit the theory into practice is there for all to see in his achievements for patients across Europe.

I have been cooperating with Adrian Goretzki for many years and we have completed many projects together. His education, knowledge, personal experience, creativity and consistency in action make him a person who should work for patients and be a link between doctors and patients. It can also convey knowledge to doctors about problems that patients have to face and suggest how the medical community can help solve them. Most importantly, it can show how to improve doctor-patient communication so that everyone can feel that the health of patients is a common goal.

Adrian Goretzki was a great surprise for me - a young man full of energy and dedication to patients for whose rights he fights. Over the past eight years, I have had the opportunity to observe how he is developing professionally and how completely devoted to his work. This is a real example for the leaders of patient organizations in Eastern Europe, but not only. As a board member of IPOPI, he worked to organize, develop and educate patient organizations to be able to act on behalf of patients. I am convinced that Adrian Goretzki is the person to whom the future belongs; is a pioneer and visionary.