Vote for Thanos at the EURORDIS Black Pearl Awards!

Marking Rare Disease Day 2021, the Eurordis Black Pearl annual awards event will take place on the 24th February to recognise the outstanding achievements and celebrate the exceptional work of people making a difference for the rare disease community. The black pearl symbolises these unique individuals, organisations and companies who demonstrate an incredible combination of hard work and dedication in their daily lives.

This year, we’re delighted that Athanasios “Thanos” Pallidis has been shortlisted for prestigious Black Pearl Award by Eurordis in the Young Patient Advocate category in recognition of his work for the Greek, European and the international FH patient community while being a patient of HoFH himself. Selected from 1720 nominees, Thanos has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the global policy document – “Global Call to Action on FH”, national advocacy initiatives, which led to improved access to higher education for Greek students with rare diseases, and awareness raising efforts over the past years back home and across Europe.

Thanos was diagnosed with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) at the age of four. HoFH is a rare, inherited condition, where two gene variants cause dangerously high levels of cholesterol in the blood, and dramatically increase the risk of heart disease and death in the first three decades of life. Soon after his diagnosis, Thanos was put on a combination of lipid lowering drugs followed by LDL apheresis, the only available and lifesaving treatments at the time.

In 2013, Thanos became a founding member and Vice-President of the Board of a Greek Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) patient association, progressing to become the President of the Board for a three-year term in 2015. He was also one of the early Trustees with FH Europe.

Not only is Thanos a remarkable person for his contribution to FH and HoFH awareness and policy, but he is also a qualified nurse and is in his final year studying Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics at university. Outside of his studies and career, Thanos is also an accomplished electric bass player in a heavy metal band, a pet lover, an avid walker and possesses a formidable knowledge of modern history. Last but not least, he is a son and a brother.

Get to know more about Thanos and his remarkable story. #VoteThanos NOW and help raise awareness of HoFH and FH.

And learn more about our activities for Rare Disease Day and our HoFH Ambassadors here