Eirinaios Vamvakousis, also known by the nickname Renos, is a passionate patient advocate and leader in the psoriatic disease community in Greece whose journey with psoriasis began in childhood. What first appeared as a small mark on his belly button became the beginning of a lifelong experience with the condition, though embarrassment initially kept him from speaking about it, even to his family. During his student years, he experienced his first major flare-up, which ultimately led to his diagnosis with psoriasis and left him immobilized for a period of time. At the age of 25, he was also diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Since then, Renos has faced many cycles of flare-ups and remissions, even while undergoing treatment. Through these experiences, he has come to understand both the physical and emotional realities of living with psoriatic disease and has drawn strength from hearing others share their stories openly and honestly.
Motivated by the support and inspiration he found within the patient community, Renos is dedicated to helping others feel less alone and more empowered in their own journeys. He uses his voice to educate people about the realities of psoriasis, encourage those living with the disease, and help break the stigma surrounding psoriatic conditions. Renos has been actively involved in patient advocacy since 2011, serving as a founding member of “Epidermia” – the Psoriatic Disease Patients’ Association in Greece. In recent years, he has had the honor of serving as President of Epidermia, representing Greek patients at both national and international levels while working closely with government bodies, healthcare stakeholders, and the wider community to advocate for patient rights and raise awareness about psoriatic disease.
Eirinaios Vamvakousis
Age: 41
Location: Santorini, Greece
Types of psoriatic disease: Plaque psoriasis, Psoriatic arthritis, Inverse psoriasis
Languages: English, Greek, Italian
