Your Committee
Gavin Finkelstein, President
Hi, I’m Gavin Finkelstein, I have severe haemophilia A and hepatitis C. I joined the HFWA Committee in 1995 and since then have become more and more involved in haemophilia issues in WA and around Australia. I have found joining HFWA to be a worthwhile experience, meeting some inspirational people and having the opportunity to discuss and share the many issues that haemophilia brings to our lives. It is up to us as a community to ensure that kids today and in the future receive the latest and best treatment that is available to enable them to achieve the best quality of life without haemophilia being an issue.
Cheryl Ellis, Vice President
Hi everyone, my name is Cheryl Ellis and I have been a HFWA committee member since 2005. I am a carrier and have mild haemophilia A, and have two boys who both have severe haemophilia A. I am a theatre trained registered nurse and my husband Darren and I run our own business building swimming pools. I believe it is important to keep up to date with information relevant to our community; whether it is to do with advances in treatments, products and services available to us to make our lives easier, or the rights of our members to live full and happy lives.
Robert Butler,
I am Robert Butler and I was previously Treasurer of the Haemophilia Foundation of WA for a very long time! I am an Accountant in Private Practice in Subiaco, my wife’s name is Sheryl and she was a Family Law Solicitor. We have two children, Marc, who was a very good Financial Planner, and Claire, who is a Geologist. We have been members of HFWA for about 40 years (1980 – current. Initially our interest/involvement was as parents of a haemophilia sufferer, wanting knowledge and peer support. As the foundation, (Society in earlier days), is always working for the benefits of all our members, it always needs people who can help it carry out its functions and as an accountant I felt I could help by doing the accounts, and that has been an ongoing involvement for me.
Michelle Dinsdale, Committee Secretary
Hi my name is Michelle Dinsdale, I’m married to Mark and we have three sons, Sam, and fraternal twins John and Michael Sam and John are affected with severe Haemophilia A.
Quite a few years ago I was the HFWA Office and Committee Secretary , While the kids were young and still needed me to be around to do school drop offs and pick ups and sporting commitments etc. It worked well for me to be a part of the HFWA organisation way back then. However now after a long break I have decided to re-join the Committee to help out wherever I can and now I am back as the Committee Secretary for the 2023/24 year. I am looking forward to meeting new and old community members at upcoming events.
Susie Couper
My name is Susie Couper, my son Justin has severe von Willebrands (type 3) and I have von Willebrands type 1. I work at Bankwest in Knowledge Management – keeping policies and procedures on the straight and narrow for our regulators. Justin’s diagnosis resulted in a rapid introduction to the previously unknown world of bleeding disorders. I have always found HFWA to be passionate, supportive and dedicated to improving the well being of the bleeding disorder community. I am grateful for the continual learning opportunities that being involved in the foundation gives me, with plenty of robust conversations in our committee meetings . I have a special interest in inclusion, having seen the many benefits of being involved in our many peer activities.
Darren Tull, Treasurer
Hi I’m Darren Tull, Check back in for more about me.
Misha Pesnelle-Prout
My name is Misha and I live with Type 3 Von Willebrand Disease. As a professional interior designer, I have travelled and worked internationally, including many years in France. While there, I led the Von Willebrand Committee within the French Haemophilia Association. Our work focused on support for people living with Von Willebrand Disease and raising awareness in the community and medical community (gynaecologists, dentists, and general practitioners). I have also acted as a patient advisor to the World Federation of Hemophilia within the VWD and Rare Bleeding Disorder Committee.
My personal experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and hurdles in each phase of life when living with VWD. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge, especially to support families of newly diagnosed individuals, and help them be well informed.
I am honoured to join the HFWA Management Committee and look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience to improve awareness, treatment, and support for people living with bleeding conditions in WA.
Ann-Maree Foran
Hi I’m Ann-Maree and some of you know me from peer events, I am the office coordinator, I am not onsite currently but you can catch me by email. I like to be involved in the community, my two nephews have severe Haemophilia and I can’t think of a better group of folks to give my time to. So,I hope you are happy to have me, and I look forward to seeing you all at future events.