Christian faith, inherited blood condition, our local community, patient care, Patient Care Group, sickle cell anaemia,
Friday 18th October 2013
Awareness Event, Saturday 26th October – all are welcome
Enfield Sickle Cell Support Group (ESCG) and the Edmonton branch of the UCKG HelpCentre will be co-hosting an awareness-raising event to help local people understand this debilitating condition, on Saturday October 26th.
The event takes place between 1pm and 3pm in the HelpCentre at 1st Floor, 6a Sterling Way, Edmonton and is an initiative of the UCKG HelpCentre’s Patient Care Group.
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood condition that affects the shape of sufferers’ red blood cells and can result in severe pain, mostly in the joints.
It is widely believed that people of African and Caribbean descent are more often affected than other ethnicities. In fact, anyone can inherit the disorder including those from Arab countries, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula and Pakistan.
“We hope that people who are worried about the possibility of having this condition themselves or within their families will come along,” said Ese Akarowe who leads the UCKG HelpCentre Patient Care Group in Edmonton. “Many people find it easier to find out about health concerns in a neutral environment before going to their GP, and we’re aiming to fill that need in respect of sickle cell anaemia.”
A speaker from the ESCG will explain what sickle cell anaemia is and a doctor or nurse from the local NHS haemoglobin (blood disorder) department will then talk about current conventional treatments that help patients to lead normal lives.
In addition there will be a question and answer session and a light hearted performance by the HelpCentre’s youth group, VYG, before the talks.
“Our aim is to improve awareness of sickle cell anaemia in our local community,” concluded Ese. “Patient Care Group volunteers meet many sufferers during their regular weekly visits to local hospitals, so we could see a clear need for better understanding of the condition in the area.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The full address of the venue is UCKG HelpCentre, 1st Floor, 6a Sterling Way, London N18 2XZ.
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all-comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
Patient Care Group is a community support group of generous minded volunteers from the UCKG HelpCentre who are available to lessen the burden of illness on patients and their families by extending the hand of friendship to them. These make regular visits to patients in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes or their own homes and will also be there for the patients’ families if required.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
