College Workshop on RD - Respiratory Diseases

TFRD hosted a two-day college workshop on July 4–5 to raise awareness among university students about rare diseases affecting the respiratory system. The program began with a session led by genetic counselor Chiu Hui-Ching from the Department of Pediatrics at Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital, who guided students in understanding genetic disorders through inheritance patterns and family pedigrees. Dr. Yang Jia-Feng from the Department of Genetic Endocrinology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital followed with an insightful presentation, sharing clinical experiences that underscored the severity of such diseases and the vital importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Participants also viewed an exclusive interview video from the Taiwan Hall of Fame, in which TFRD founder Ms. Serena Wu reflected on the foundation’s mission and discussed how current health policies and National Health Insurance challenges continue to affect patients with rare diseases. Later, Yang Ling-Ling, CEO of Ho-Kahn Respiratory Home Care Agency, presented clinical case studies and care strategies. Twelve types of respiratory therapy devices were displayed on-site, offering participants hands-on experience in proper exhalation training.

The second day opened with Dr. Lin Yen-Hung from National Taiwan University’s Department of Cardiology, who provided a clear and engaging explanation of pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and its underlying causes. Mr. Huang Wen-Zhao, President of the PPH Patient Support Group, shared his personal journey of living with the condition and highlighted the group’s role in offering emotional and practical support to patients—a story that left a lasting and heartfelt impression.

The workshop concluded with Dr. Wang Ting-Hao from Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, who delivered an integrated overview of pediatric respiratory-related rare diseases, linking medical knowledge to academic curricula. The two-day course was highly engaging, and it is hoped that participants will effectively apply what they learned in the future.

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)