We are passionately committed to saving lives and raising public awareness of the importance of organ donation.
Who is behind it all? Here you can get an insight into our Board of Directors.
PATRIZIA MANOLIO
President
Born in Bern in 1983. Patrizia was working in high-tech measurement technology when she was diagnosed with terminal osteosarcoma in 2011 and everything changed abruptly for her. Fortunately, the cancer treatment was successful, but the chemotherapy destroyed her kidneys in 2013. After almost 4 years of dialysis, Patrizia began a new life thanks to her sister's kidney donation. Patrizia is a successful author, TEDx speaker, happily married to Nicola, now works for Swisstransplant and lives in Aargau. While she was on the waiting list, she felt the need to connect with people in a similar situation, but was unable to find people she could talk to. For this reason, Patrizia is keen to help others who are going through the same experience.
MATHIAS BRUNNER
Vice President
Mathias was born in 1986 with a congenital heart defect. After two heart valve operations, an implanted defibrillator and a long battle mixed with depression and personal setbacks, he received the gift of life - a new heart - in 2018. Since that moment, Mathias has been trying to share some of his happiness and experiences with others and is actively campaigning for organ donation. It is important to him to show his fellow human beings that a transplanted life is also worth living.
MARTIN BORN
Finances
Born in Olten in 1950. In the summer of 1996, Martin received his "new heart" following a serious heart attack. After outpatient rehabilitation, he was able to return to work in November 1996. He worked as a computer scientist until his retirement in March 2015. He has been married since 2001 and lives in Olten. Travelling with his wife Ruth, model making and painting are his hobbies. Fortunately, travelling to distant countries is also possible (China, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the north of Europe). Bali is one of his favourites. Since retiring, he has been working as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross. With his commitment, he hopes to give back a little of the solidarity experienced by an unknown donor to people who are in need of support.
CHRISTIAN ROTHLISBERGER
Responsible Suisse Romande
Born in Geneva in 1961, liver transplant in 2017, resident in Geneva. After an initial career in the commercial sector, Christian moved into the financial world, specialising in compliance with money laundering regulations. His work as an internal auditor for an international banking group in Geneva allowed him to travel to various continents. He currently works on a voluntary basis as a senior analyst in a company specialising in career transition, coaching and assessment. His role is to monitor the labour market in the main economic sectors in Switzerland, identify changes in the economic fabric, use the specialised press to select relevant information and develop the company's business activities. He is a member of numerous associations dealing with transplants. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, music, motor sports and mountain activities.
LIZ SCHICK
WTGF / Sport
Born in London, Great Britain, in 1962. Liz moved to Switzerland, Valais, in 1984. Originally a clothing designer and fitness trainer, Liz and her husband René bought a ski shop in Anzère, Valais. They have 2 grown-up children, James and Zoe. In 1997 Liz was diagnosed with epithelioid haemangioendothelioma and was told she needed a liver transplant. She was transplanted in 1998. But nothing could stop Liz from resuming her hobbies. She is passionate about skiing, cycling and other sports. In 2001, she took part in the first World Transplant Games in Nendaz, Switzerland. Since then, she has taken part in summer and winter games. She has been an active member of the board of the World Transplant Games Federation since 2011 and was elected WTGF President in April 2023. Liz has worked with transplanted children for over 20 years and founded the TACKERS camps (Transplant Adventure Camps for Kids). She has been the Swiss team manager for several World Games and has spoken about transplantation at numerous events in Switzerland and elsewhere. Liz has experienced what it means for people of different ages and circumstances to become part of the transplant family. She is convinced that exercise not only improves physical well-being, but also mental well-being. Everything she does, she does in honour of her donor and to raise awareness of organ donation and transplantation.
JUDITH BAUMGARTNER
Administration
Born in autumn 1964, Judith was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, which probably sparked her interest in health, medicine, nutrition, natural remedies, etc. After an apprenticeship as a chemist, she completed her studies at the end of the 1980s in Neuchâtel as a qualified chemist. In this role, she worked for many years as a manager in various drugstores in the mountains (GR, Bernese Oberland, VS, OW). In the course of her long diabetes illness, she developed renal insufficiency (kidney weakness), among other things. She underwent peritoneal dialysis at home for the first time in early 2001. Then, in autumn 2012, she had a kidney and pancreas transplant at Zurich University Hospital. Judith has been volunteering at an animal shelter and visiting the sick in nursing homes for several years.
WERNER RÜEGG
Sports group leader
Born in Romanshorn in 1964. Has lived in Heiden since 1998, is married and has two sons who suffer from Alport syndrome. In February 2019, he donated a kidney to his older son. He works as a regional secretary for a staff association. He is also active in politics as a cantonal councillor in Appenzell Ausserrhoden. In summer, he is responsible for the Heiden swimming pool with 9 employees. Werner wants to show everyone that even as an organ donor or organ recipient you can lead a normal life and take part in sporting activities. That is why he is involved in the STV sports group. He wants to inspire as many people as possible who are affected by an organ transplant to take part in sport. However, the focus should always be on having fun.
History of STV
The Swiss Transplant Association (STV) was created through the merger of the associations As de Coeur (heart transplant recipients), Trans Hepar (liver transplant recipients) and the Transplant Sports Association Switzerland (all transplant recipients, sports enthusiasts).
The sports group has also been part of the STV since 1993. It is for transplant recipients who enjoy doing sport and travelling to games/competitions together. The focus is not on top performance, but on the joy of exercise and meeting transplant recipients from all over the world.
Our mission
The STV is an interface for people who are involved in any way with the topic of organ donation. Through exchanges with our partners, other organisations, institutions and associations, we try to give our members an overview of what is going on in the transplant community in Switzerland and elsewhere.
We promote active contact and the exchange of experiences among members with the aim of supporting each other and providing each other with advice and assistance in order to convey courage, strength and joie de vivre through experience.
We are also committed to the cause of organ donation and transplantation through active public relations work to encourage donations and PR support for regional and national campaigns and events in favour of organ donation and transplantation.
Saving a life doesn't always mean being a hero; sometimes being an organ donor is enough.
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