This year, people with and affected by axial SpA, an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints which causes extreme pain, exhaustion, and limited movement, will Go Orange for AS to raise vital funds to support people with axial SpA.

Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints, causing extreme pain, exhaustion, and limited movement. It affects 1 in 200 adults in the UK – similar to MS and Parkinson’s combined. If left untreated and symptoms are not managed, axial SpA can permanently fuse the spine and joints. It’s an invisible and misdiagnosed condition with no cure. It works silently, leaving people feeling isolated and powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion, making basic daily tasks and full-time employment very difficult, or even impossible.

Your support has never been more urgent. Nearly a fifth of people with axial SpA receive no information when diagnosed. Rheumatology departments are chronically understaffed and in a ‘precarious’ state, leaving thousands unable to access vital NHS services. Conversations with senior rheumatologists indicate strongly that the situation is unlikely to improve significantly for the next 2-3 years. The cost-of-living crisis means Welfare Rights organisations are overwhelmed by people looking for disability benefits support.

The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) is often the only place people can turn to for support. We ensure people with axial SpA get the latest information, advice and support they need to live better with their condition.

Every donation helps:

£10 can enable one person affected by axial SpA to receive information and support from our Helpline team via email or phone.

£25 can help provide a pack of NASS guidebooks for a local rheumatology department to share with their patients.

£50 can help provide 1:1 support to help someone living with axial SpA apply for disability benefits support.

£100 can help by contributing towards the cost of one of our monthly My AS My Life sessions to help people living with axial SpA manage their symptoms between hospital appointments.

£250 can help run a monthly online Your SpAce meetup to help people living with axial SpA manage their symptoms between hospital appointments and feel less isolated living with axial SpA.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesn't receive any statutory funding. We rely on your kindness and generosity, and other people like you, to help us transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA and help more people live well with the condition sooner.

Thank you for your support. Axial SpA works silently. Thanks to you, we don't.