Dear friends, 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  I am really looking forward to taking part in the 10K sponsored walk/run for World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day.  

AS is a painful, progressive, rheumatic disease.  It mainly affects the spine but it can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments.  Other areas, such as the eyes, lungs, bowel, skin and heart can also be involved. Crucially, there are no known cures.   

The reason I decided to do this is because my husband has AS. In addition, he was mis-diagnoised and had an unnecessary operation, which left him practically unable to walk for 2 years before he went to the US for 2 further operations.  

Having been through this journey with him for the past 10 years, I noticed there is a lack of awareness about this condition among the public and health professionals too. Therefore I really want to take this opportunity to participate in the First NASS EN MASSE sponsored walk/run.  

NASS stands for National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society and it is the only registered charity dedicated to the needs of people with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).  Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with AS in the UK.  

Despite being a small organisation with just 5 full members of staff NASS helps thousands of people through its comprehensive website, free literature for patients and hospitals, telephone support to patients and their families as well as regular supervised hydrotherapy and physiotherapy session in many areas of the UK through a network of volunteer branches.

NASS members of staff also works hard to raise awareness of ASl to improve standards of care; and to support research into the genetics, management and treatment of AS.  The money raised from this sponsored walk/run will help them to continue the work they do for people with AS in these financially challenging times.  

Thank you for your time and donation. 

Best regards,

Rachel