On 24 September 2025, FH Europe Foundation led a powerful, cross-border movement to raise awareness of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). With more than 260 downloads of the toolkit materials, and key visuals, translated into several languages, this year’s campaign was greatly supported by our Ambassadors, Network Members, Partner Organisations and many others as well. From social media awareness campaigns to local screening activities and international webinars, our global community came together to amplify one vital message: early detection saves lives.
Harnessing the strength of our network, Ambassadors and healthcare partners, FH Europe Foundation spotlighted the difference between common high cholesterol and inherited FH. Together, we engaged families, clinicians and policymakers to #PreventThePreventable and work towards a healthier future.
FHchol Austria launched an FH Awareness campaign via the info screens on Vienna’s public transport. From Monday to Friday in FH week, a 5-second spot combined either with a question and answer or with a quiz was shown every 15 minutes on the information screens of the buses, tramways and in certain underground stations. With this initiative, FHchol wants to raise awareness among the people who use public transport on their way to work, home or wherever.
The Belgium Heart League marked FH Awareness Day within the framework of its national Heart Week campaign (22–29 September 2025). The initiative launched with a press conference on 22 September and featured over 40 activities across the country, engaging hospitals, municipalities, and social welfare centres. These events promoted awareness of cardiovascular risks, with a special focus on patients with congenital cardiopathies and the importance of early screenings.
As part of the campaign, the League released dedicated videos available here and will also publish a special edition of its magazine Coeur et artères (Q4) on cholesterol as a key cardiovascular risk factor. More details about Heart Week 2025 can be found on the Belgium Heart League website.
This year, the Czech Republic celebrated the 10th anniversary edition of FH Week, officially linked to World Heart Day. The programme included education in companies and institutions, lectures, and cholesterol testing. Since 2015, FH Week has helped identify 50 new families with FH. Each year, a new activity has been added: last year it was Lp(a) testing and awareness-raising, while this year it featured additional education on obesity and flu vaccinations at two locations, supporting older adults and those with chronic cardiovascular disease.
LDL Greece marked International FH Awareness Day with TV and radio interviews highlighting the importance of paediatric screening. The campaign raised public awareness of inherited high cholesterol, often called a “silent” but treatable threat. Watch the interviews here (in Greek).
ParSirdi.lv geared up for FH Awareness Day with a series of impactful activities designed to inform and engage both the public and the medical community. Their team prepared a focused educational campaign across social media channels, including the use of our FH Awareness Day toolkit that also supported Latvian translations this year. They adapted the resources and rolled out the campaign on a national level! To further amplify their message, ParSirdi.lv sent out a press release and participated in targeted TV and radio programmes, ensuring FH Awareness reached an even broader audience across Latvia.
The highlight of their efforts this year is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Latvian FH Patient Registry. On September 24th, ParSirdi.lv hosted a special gathering for FH patients and healthcare professionals. The event showcased the achievements of the registry, offered educational and motivational talks for patients, and provided a forum for open discussion on the topics that matter most to those living with FH.
To mark FH Awareness Day and World Heart Month, the Croí Mobile Health Hub visited Queen Maeve’s Square, Sligo, on 24–25 September 2025, offering free cholesterol, blood pressure and heart health checks. The state-of-the-art mobile unit, the largest of its kind in Ireland, also hosted CPR demos and education sessions. The event encouraged the public to take proactive steps for prevention while spotlighting FH and the urgent need for stronger national cardiovascular policies.
Although FH CARE Singapore did not organise a standalone FH Awareness Day event this year, they placed a strong emphasis on forging meaningful partnerships and boosting outreach for familial hypercholesterolaemia awareness. Their activities marked the occasion with significant impact, focusing on collaboration, education and systemic improvements in FH care.
In partnership with the Singapore Heart Foundation, FH CARE Singapore contributed to the high-profile Go Red for World Heart Day campaign, ensuring that FH was included in the broader conversation on cardiovascular health. This collaboration helped spotlight the importance of early detection and treatment of inherited cholesterol conditions for both the public and professionals.
They also reached out directly to the healthcare community with an email campaign to all staff at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), encouraging greater awareness and engagement among health professionals.
In parallel, FH CARE Singapore supported the launch of the Singapore National Programme for Genetic Testing for FH—a milestone step forward for early diagnosis and improved care for individuals and families at risk.
Through these efforts, FH CARE Singapore demonstrated their ongoing commitment to advocacy, partnership and awareness. Even without a dedicated FH Awareness Day event, their initiatives made a meaningful contribution to advancing FH care in Singapore.
The recent IAS/EAS joint session in recognition of FH Awareness Week was a remarkable event, featuring a recorded session from EAS 2025 in Glasgow. This webinar provided key insights into FH diagnosis, treatment, and global strategies, making it an invaluable resource for those involved in the field.
A highlight of the session was the participation of FHEF’s HoFH Patient Ambassador, Marwa Sadik, who shared her perspective on family planning and joined the live panel discussion. Her contribution added a unique and personal dimension, bringing the patient voice into the conversation.
The discussion was further enriched by Professor Kirsten Holven (also a member of FHEF’s Scientific Advisory Board) and long-standing supporter Professor Gerald Watts, with moderation by Professor Marianne Benn. Together, they ensured a lively and engaging exchange.
Marwa's participation in the webinar and panel discussion exemplifies the active involvement of our ambassadors in raising awareness and sharing their experiences. Their contributions are invaluable in helping to shape the future of FH treatment and support.
On FH Awareness Day, FH Europe Foundation partnered with M42 Academic Affairs and Dr Sarah Qureshi to host a special webinar endorsed by the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS). Entitled “FH: Where Family and Heart Meet — Early Detection and Treatment in Familial Hypercholesterolaemia”, the session brought together healthcare professionals and patients in the UAE and beyond.
Speakers included Dr Wael Al Mahmeed and Dr Sarah Qureshi (regional perspectives), Professor Albert Wiegman and Magdalena Daccord (global insights), and patient Ambassador Chyrel Lichaa from Lebanon, who shared her powerful personal story. Their contributions highlighted the importance of early detection, effective treatment, and patient advocacy in driving better care.
Through expert insights and shared experiences, the event underscored the need for stronger international collaboration and community support for those living with FH and HoFH. Read more about the webinar here.
Active spreading awareness about FH Awareness Day and FH on social media
We are grateful to our Ambassadors for actively raising awareness of FH Awareness Day on social media. Using the dedicated photo frame, multilingual messages and resources from our toolkit, they helped amplify the campaign and ensured our message reached communities worldwide.
The EAS FH Week 2025 (22-26 September) shone a spotlight on the urgent need for better FH diagnosis and care. Marking the 10th anniversary of the EAS FH Studies Collaboration (FHSC), milestones from 76 countries and over 80,000 FH patients were showcased. Highlights included FHSC achievements, new research, advocacy at the European Parliament, a webinar with patient voices, and new initiatives for paediatric care and lipid clinics.
FH Australia held seven community awareness events across the country from 22–26 September 2025. The events highlighted inherited high cholesterol conditions—FH and elevated Lp(a)—and stressed the importance of early detection and treatment. Activities included free cholesterol checks, family heart health discussions, and resources for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. A social media campaign further amplified awareness. For more info: fhaustralia.org.au.
FH China marked a milestone on FH Awareness Day by hosting its very first patient meeting, an empowering event raising awareness about FH, including its rare and severe form, HoFH.
FH Europe Foundation was honoured to support the initiative. CEO Magdalena Daccord delivered a message on behalf of the international community, emphasising shared commitment to collaboration and addressing unmet needs in FH care. Anna Andrea Böhm from FHchol Austria also joined, promoting cross-border dialogue and unity.
The energy at the meeting was palpable. “Our meeting today concluded successfully—everyone really enjoyed it, and there was a lot of lively interaction on site. Many attendees expressed surprise and appreciation for the remarks from the international patient organisation, and gained valuable insights into what your organisation is focusing on and striving for. Thank you so much for your support!” shared Nazhen Chen, founder of FH China.
Our partnership with FH China began in 2024 and has continued to grow, fuelled by a shared vision to empower patients and strengthen advocacy. This milestone is just the beginning of many more joint projects, building bridges across borders and fostering a truly global FH community.
As we reflect on the success of FH Awareness Day 2025, we look ahead to the next chapter in cardiovascular advocacy. FH Europe Foundation continues to drive policy change through initiatives like the Prague Declaration on FH Paediatric Screening, which calls for systematic implementation of FH paediatric screening across Europe.
On 25 September, our Ambassadors and experts gathered at the European Parliament for a high-level event focused on scaling up lipid screening across Europe. This milestone builds on a decade of advocacy and sets the stage for the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.
We have submitted our recommendations to the European Commission´s CVH Plan, urging recognition of inherited lipid disorders as major risk factors. Now, we invite all stakeholders to endorse our submission and help shape a future where no one is left behind.
Together, we move from awareness to action. Thank you for being part of this journey.