TOFS is a founder member of EAT, the European Federation of Esophageal Atresia and Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula Support Groups which welcomes associate member groups from all parts of the world. Secretary of TOFS, Graham Slater, an Adult TOF himself, is Chair of EAT.
EAT started in 2011, as a means of exchanging information and sharing good practice. It quickly became the ‘voice of the patients’ in engaging with a network of interested clinicians, INoEA*. There is a substantial amount of international collaboration and research amongst clinicians working on OA, now most notably seen in the work of INoEA, ESPGHAN* and ERNICA*.
Graham commented, “EAT is recognised as a valuable partner in collaborating in these programmes. TOFS benefits from the bigger pool of resources from the patient community, which is available to ensure effective participation in these important programmes”.
*INoEA: the International Network on Esophageal Atresia.
*ERNICA: the European Rare Disease Network (focused on congenital malformations)