Release date: 15th April 2014
Jane Asher calls for support during Arthritis Care Week
Arthritis Care Week runs from Monday 19th-Sunday 25th May 2014 and aims to highlight the enduring pain that many people face because of their arthritis.
The charity's president, Jane Asher, is lending her support to the Week and is encouraging people to turn their attention to arthritis and support the charity.
She says "I am very proud to be president of Arthritis Care, an organisation that helps and supports those with a condition that is still very much misunderstood. Arthritis can cause deformities of the joints and intense pain, frequently leading to enormous difficulties just moving around. This often means that people become housebound and have to plan their whole lives around managing their pain. It's inevitable that almost all of us will know someone with this cruel and debilitating condition and I'd like to encourage everyone to support Arthritis Care - particularly during this awareness week. "
Says Judi Rhys, CEO for Arthritis Care, "We know that for many people with arthritis pain management in the health service is not as good as it should be and we want to see that improved as soon as possible. We also offer what we believe is the best and most effective way of helping people to self-manage the constant pain of arthritis.We badly need extra funds so we can deliver more help to meet the huge level of need, so we would ask the public and all our supporters to help us raise awareness of the pain arthritis causes and encourage people to donate to us by visiting our website www.arthritiscare.org.uk .
"If you have arthritis we are here to help with advice and information Call our free and confidential helpline 0808 800 4050 or email us on Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk."
notes to editors/ key facts ref arthritis
ten million people in the UK are affected by arthritis
including 25,000 children and young people
8.5 million have osteoarthritis
a number which is expected to rise to 17 million by 2030
690,000 have rheumatoid arthritis
arthritis is the biggest cause of pain and physical disability in the UK
Further information:
Jane Lyons; Mob: 07834 418457; Email: media@arthritiscare.org.uk
or visit the website www.arthritiscare.org.uk