I am, proud to be supporting The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS).  This is a charity, which is close to the heart and that of our company Sunflower Accounts, of which I am Co-Director.

 I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) in 2007, after a series of investigations to find out the source and cause of serve back and hip pain as well as increasing loss of mobility.  Sadly, diagnosis of my condition and subsequent help and advice to control my condition was slow to arrive.  Which is why raising the awareness of AS is so important.

 To control the effects of my condition, which is an incurable type of inflammatory arthritis and genetic autoimmune disease.  I was given drugs to try and control the inflammation and dull the pain.  However, the only real and effective measure to combat AS is through continual exercise to ensure I remain mobile and supple.

 Since discovering The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS), myself and Sunflower Accounts is therefore committed to help to raise awareness of AS and the supporting charity NASS, which will in turn go onto support others who suffer from AS.

www.NASS.co.uk

www.SunflowerAccounts.co.uk/NASS.html

 KEY FACTS ABOUT ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS (AS)

 •  Ankylosing means fusing together. Spondylitis indicates inflammation of the vertebrae

•  There are around 200,000 people in the UK with AS

•  It is a long term condition and is incurable

•  The average age when AS symptoms start is 24

•  Diagnosis is slow with an average delay of 10 years from symptom onset

•  AS can also be described as arthritis of the spine

•  AS can affect other areas of the body including eyes, lungs and bowel

•  Exercise is the single most important thing a person with AS can do to help themselves, while painkilling medication will help to reduce pain and improve sleep and general well being.

 Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.