Gesa Bressel
As a mother of three, with my middle daughter Charlotte born in 2011 with Jacobsen syndrome, we were introduced to the European Chromosome 11 Network in 2012 by the Department of Human Genetics in Hannover. We became members of the Network that year and were truly amazed by the warm welcome and the wealth of information they provided. At our first conference in Pforzheim in 2014, I was invited to join the board, and I’ve had the honor of serving as president since 2016. I’m incredibly grateful for the fantastic team of fellow board members and the strong sense of unity we share within the network.
Gero Bressel
Since 2014, I have been supporting my wonderful wife in her work within the network, which is especially close to our hearts as our daughter Charlotte was born with Jacobsen Syndrome. In 2017, I took on the role of treasurer, initially without joining the board, and since 2022, I have been an official board member.
The European Chromosome 11 Network provides invaluable support to affected families. The collaboration within the board and the international connections are particularly fulfilling to me, as our work helps strengthen the community and bring hope to others.
Camille Raguin
I have been a member of the Network since 2019 (and joined the board the same year during our first conference !). My husband Olivier and I are parents to three girls. Margot, our middle-child, was born in 2016 with Jacobsen syndrom. Joining the Network helped us feel connected after a two-year process to get Margot's diagnosis.
Olivier Raguin
I also joined the Network in 2019 and became a board member during our very first conference. My wife, Camille, and I are proud parents of three daughters, including Margot, who was born in 2016 with Jacobsen syndrome. Initially, I didn’t expect much from an association like this, but becoming part of the Network turned out to be a true turning point for us. It provided a sense of connection and invaluable support. Along the way, I made genuine friends, and the Network has become like a second family to us.
Caroline Albers
Since 2019, Bas and I have been members of the network. In 2022, we attended the conference for the first time, and from April 2024, we have become members of the board. Bas and I have two daughters, and our youngest daughter, Anne-Sophie, was born with Jacobsen syndrome. For me, the network is a close-knit community where we can share both joys and sorrows. We provide each other with information and help each other move forward.
Bas Albers
When our daughter Anne-Sophie was diagnosed with Jacobsen syndrome in 2019 we were somewhat lost. Through the network we got in touch with the Dutch contact from the European Chromosome 11 Network and she provided us with lots of information on the syndrome as well as inviting us to our first conference in 2022. Going to this first conference was a major adventure but we felt so welcome. It's a pleasure to be able to provide information and support other families ourselves now.