Susanna van Tonder

Susanna van Tonder is a Luxembourgish disability-rights activist, patient advocate, and psychologist whose work centres on strengthening the voice and visibility of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2016, she has since dedicated herself to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and patient-centred care.

Since 2018, she has served on the board of Multiple Sclérose Lëtzebuerg, acting as Vice-President until 2025, and contributing to youth engagement and stronger community support. Internationally, she sits on the Board of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP) and contributes to the global PROMS initiative, advocating for the meaningful inclusion of lived experience in health research and policy.

At national level, van Tonder served as President of Luxembourg’s equality body, the Centre pour l’égalité de traitement (CET), and was a member of the Higher Council for People with Disabilities (CSPH) until 2025. Since 2018, she has played a key role in several awareness campaigns, including the MS Brainy campaign on Multiple Sclerosis.

In 2023, van Tonder was selected as Luxembourg’s national champion for the European Commission’s Together for Rights campaign, contributing to broader awareness of accessibility and disability rights. She is also the founding president of PatEx Academy - The Patient Expert Academy, supporting the empowerment of patient experts in healthcare systems.