This week local MP Theresa May helped launch the ‘Women in Rheumatoid Arthritis’ awareness campaign. ‘Women in Rheumatoid Arthritis’ is a partnership initiative between the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), Arthritis Care and the healthcare company, Abbott. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on people in the UK, through the stories of 10 women living with the condition as described in interviews with 10 female politicians for a new book launched on 5th July.
Theresa May commented, “As a patron of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, I am proud to contribute to raising awareness of the impact Rheumatoid Arthritis can have. Approximately up to 886 people in Maidenhead are likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis foo1. It is a condition that affects young and old alike with women three times more likely to be affected than men. It is essential that we increase awareness of the damaging impact the condition can have on sufferers.
“The new book features 10 personal accounts of living with rheumatoid arthritis, such as Heidi. Heidi is a 17 year old who has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for just over a year. She has almost an 80% chance of being moderately or severely disabled before she reaches the age of 40. She wants to be a chef but her wrists are too weak to carry heavy kitchen utensils. Hers is just one of the unique and inspiring stories that was unveiled in Westminster this week”
“The new initiative aims to highlight the challenges in diagnosing and managing this complex, chronic autoimmune disorder. More must be done to ensure that sufferers are able to receive the care and attention they deserve, and I look forward to working with the campaign to ensure that this is realised”
1 Based on 2001 National Census of Maidenhead population of 88,671. Incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the UK is approximately 1% of the population
