This May, NASS supporters, friends, family, and four-legged companions, will be taking part in the Walk Your AS Off challenge to raise awareness about axial SpA, and vital funds to transform the diagnosis and care of people living with axial SpA.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) affects an estimated 270,000 people in the UK. Axial SpA is an inflammatory disease of the spine and joints. Inflammation where muscles attach to the bones, causes extreme pain. If left untreated, it can permanently fuse bones together. Its an invisible and misdiagnosed condition. Often leaving people feeling powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion.

Walk Your AS Off is a virtual step challenge and is all about getting active for health, your way. You walk or run a distance of your choice, whilst supporting others who live with axial SpA. It's organised by Walk AS One, a volunteer-led organisation based in the US that motivates the global axial SpA (AS) community to raise awareness about the condition.

NASS supports this event, alongside other organisations worldwide, to help raise awareness of axial SpA and raise funds to support our vital work.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesnt 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.

Whether we're campaigning policymakers for better diagnosis or services, working with the NHS to ensure everyone gets effective care, or providing the information and support people need to tackle the challenges of living with the condition, your donation counts.

It costs around:

£10 to respond to a Helpline enquiry via phone or email.

£25 to provide one pack of NASS guidebooks for an axial SpA clinic.

£50 to support one person to apply for vital welfare and benefits.

£100 to help provide one My AS, My Life session to help people manage their symptoms between hospital appointments.

£250 help provide an online session to help up to 20 people to learn how to manage their pain and fatigue and sleep better.

Your support for NASS and people with axial SpA is more critical than ever. As the NHS recovers from the pandemic, 67% of people are being left to cope with debilitating pain, exhaustion and fatigue alone. The current economic climate has meant that we have seen a reduction in fundraising income. With a cost-of-living crisis, more people need our support to claim the benefits they are entitled to.

Thank you in advance for your wonderful support. Axial SpA may work silently. We don't.

Further information about Walk Your AS Off can be found on the NASS website.