Maranda van Dam
Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of South Africa Chairperson and Patient Partner
Maranda is the current chairperson and has overall responsibility for the management of Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpa) Association of South Africa.
She was diagnosed with AxSpa in 2016, after walking the frustrating path of a delay in her diagnosis of almost 6 years. At the time of her diagnosis, she tried to reach out to a support group, and then realised there is a huge void to fill. She has since become an advocate for this disease.
Not only is she a business owner, but also a single parent of two boys. In her spare time, she likes riding adventure bikes. She has recently completed a gruelling trip with her motorbike for 3 weeks in the Himalayas. She enjoys an active lifestyle that includes riding her mountain bike, playing tennis and pilates.