Tessa Jelen is a nationally respected patient leader and respiratory advocate whose work spans community support, research, policy influence and system level advisory roles. Following her diagnosis of emphysema, she made it her priority to strengthen support for people living with respiratory conditions in the community.

She recently retired as Chair of Westminster Breathe Easy, an Asthma and Lung UK patient led and patient funded support group she helped lead from its launch in 2011. Over more than a decade she organised monthly meetings and online sessions, community outings and quarterly newsletters, creating a sustained peer support infrastructure for people living with lung disease.

Beyond local leadership, Tessa contributes at national and international level. She has supported research, committees and publications with NICE, The King’s Fund, the European Respiratory Society and the World Health Organization. She serves on multiple patient advisory and research committees including NIHR, PCRS, GP and national Patient Participation Groups and L and Q Housing panels, ensuring lived experience directly informs service design and policy.

She sits on the advisory panel for the European Patient Ambassador Programme and the European Lung Foundation COPD Patient Advisory Group, helping shape patient engagement standards across Europe. In 2025 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Westminster Council in recognition of her sustained leadership and contribution to respiratory support in the borough.

At 80 years old, Tessa continues to champion patient voice within North West London Integrated Care System committees and wider respiratory forums, bringing insight, credibility and long standing commitment to improving care for people living with lung disease.