RLS

European Alliance for Restless Legs Syndrome (EARLS)

EARLS is a non-profit Alliance of National Patient Organizations from various European countries that will engage in activities which contribute to greater awareness of Restless Legs Syndrome in the broadest sense. EARLS will raise important issues at a European level common to all members, such as for example:

• Better and more rapid diagnosis, appropriate treatment and care for people with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
• Improvement of the quality of life of people with RLS and their families
• Increased awareness and understanding of RLS among public and medical profession
• Promotion of scientific research into RLS
• Elimination of prejudice and misunderstanding with regard to RLS
• Increased priority given to RLS by policy and decision makers and health care providers
• Co-ordination of efforts of national RLS patient groups in Europe where appropriate

The following representatives from the EARLS founding countries have been elected to serve as members of the EARLS Board:
Belgium, Finland, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands.

Joke Jaarsma, President
Vice President, Dutch RLS Patient Group
Date of Birth: 1947
Civil status: Married, one daughter
Citizenship: Dutch
Education: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Work career: Publisher of scientific books and journals for 40 years, now retired
Hobbies: Music, travelling, golf

Paul van Heel, Secretary General
Vice-President, Belgian RLS Patient Group
Date of birth: 1938
Civil status: Married, 4 children, 11 grandchildren
Citizenship: Dutch
Education: Technical University, Delft, The Netherlands
Work career: Lived and worked in Holland, Mexico, USA, Singapore, Philippines, France and Belgium, now retired
Hobbies: Pre-Columbian Art, Art Nouveau/Deco tiles

Sten Sevborn, Finance & Controlling
Treasurer, Controller, Medical Manager and Regional Manager, Swedish RLS Patient Group
Date of birth: 1944
Civil status: Married, 1 child, 1 grandchild
Citizenship: Swedish
Education: Engineer (biochemistry) and Economy
Work career: Lived and worked in International pharmaceutical companies in Germany, Poland and Sweden for 35 years. Now retired, running a private company
Hobbies: RLS, family, cars, motor sport, travel, wine and food

Esperanza Lopez Maquieira
President, Spanish RLS Patient Group
Date of Birth: 1953
Civil status: Married, 3 children, 3 grandchildren
Citizenship: Spanish
Work career: Working in private enterprise
Hobbies: Painting

Pentti Fri
President, Finnish Sleep Union
Date of Birth: 1947
Citizenship: Finnish
Working career: Worked as Air Cargo Export Director, now retired. Member of the Board of Handicapped Council and various other health related associations
Hobbies: Horse racing, cats and computers