Breaking Down AATD: The Journey of Patient Advocacy in Lung Health
Season 5 – Episode 1
with Angela Diano (AlphaNet Canada)
Listen to the eXpand Podcast and join experts clinicians as we dive into chronic lung diseases and eXpand your practice.
Exciting news! The highly anticipated Season 5 of the Expand Podcast is finally here.
After four groundbreaking seasons covering COVID-19, COPD, and Chronic Cough, we’re proud to introduce a brand new series focused entirely on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD).
Join us as we explore this rare genetic condition from multiple angles, bringing together clinical insights, lived experiences, and expert guidance to help healthcare providers and patients navigate the complexities of AATD.
About this Episode
In our Season 5 premiere, we dive into Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD): a rare but serious genetic condition that affects both the lungs and liver. People with AATD have a deficiency in a protein (alpha-1 antitrypsin) that normally protects lung tissue from inflammation. Without enough of this protein, individuals are at higher risk of developing lung conditions such as COPD, often at a younger age and even without a history of smoking.
Despite being underdiagnosed and often misunderstood, AATD affects thousands of Canadians. Raising awareness, improving access to testing, and advocating for equitable treatment is critical, and that’s where this episode begins.
Today You Will Learn:
- What Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) is and why early testing is important
- How patient advocacy is shaping access to life-saving treatments
- What’s new in the latest Canadian AATD guidelines
- Why empowering patients improves long-term health outcomes
- How to fight stigma and raise awareness in the respiratory health community
Our Special Guest
We’re joined by Angela Diano, Executive Director of AlphaNet Canada, who brings both professional expertise and personal insight into what it means to live with a chronic condition. With decades of experience in patient advocacy, Ms. Diano has played a key role in expanding access to augmentation therapy, influencing national policy, and empowering patients to take an active role in their care.
Resources to go Deeper
Living Well with COPD – AATD Module: Create your free account to access our new interactive COPD modules (updated April 2025). Register now
Canadian Thoracic Society AATD Guidelines: Read the latest clinical recommendations. View the full article
RESPIPLUS™ received support from Takeda Canada to develop an informative podcast series specifically tailored to AATD. This initiative aims to:
- Educate healthcare professionals about the latest advancements in AATD management
- Empower patients with accurate information on accessing resources within the Canadian system
- Foster a supportive community for individuals living with AATD
Collaborating Organizations
This podcast series was developed with the valuable collaboration of several organizations committed to improving care and awareness for individuals living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD):
- AlphaNet Canada: Supporting patients through education, advocacy, and peer support. alphanetcanada.ca
- Innomar: An organization that specializes in helping patients access complex therapies across Canada.
- PPTA: The leading global organization advocating for plasma donation and ensuring the availability of life-saving plasma-based treatments.
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