It is with a heavy heart, and great sadness, that we share with you the news that Michael Seres has died.
Many of you will have seen and heard Michael speak passionately, and with humour, at previous PIF events.
He was also a previous member of the PIF Advisory Group.
Michael had beaten cancer three times and survived two transplants, but he recently developed sepsis for the second time.
Michael was diagnosed with the incurable bowel condition, Crohn's disease at 12 years old.
He was the 11th person to undergo a small bowel transplant in the UK and, after undergoing more than 25 surgeries, was left with a 40cm small bowel and intestinal failure.
Michael's experiences led him to develop 11 Health, an integrated platform that was driven by patient-led innovation.
Michael was an exceptional human being.
He championed the values of patient centred care and had an unwavering desire to help patients have control over their treatment, through developing relationships with their healthcare professionals.
On top of that, his smile was huge and infectious and despite the health challenges he faced he was always full of warmth and fun.
He inspired so many people who had the good fortune to hear him speak and was always surrounded after any presentation he gave, because he always spoke with such passion, humanity and common sense.
Michael believed that personalised medicine is about building relationships and conversations between patients and healthcare professionals, and creating mutual trust and respect for each other’s expertise.
We hope that Michael’s legacy will live on and that his work will continue to inspire and improve the experience for patients and the relationship they have with their healthcare professionals.
We send Michael’s family our deepest sympathy. RIP Michael.
You can watch a video about Michael’s story here: patientsafetymovement.org/advocacy/patients-and-families/patient-stories/michael-seres also on YouTube here: youtube.com/watch?v=3idHnssIsfE