I've seen first-hand how Axial SpA can affect you. A close family member was diagnosed at a young age after we decided to seek a second opinion through private consultation. Being diagnosed early is key in treating this condition, pain management can be very challenging during flare-ups, in some cases, full-time employment that limits physical movement like a desk job for example, can prove impossible.

The physical and mental torment of this condition has a terrible impact on the individual. I've witnessed the prolonged facial expression of pain including thoughts of someone's future living this way, it was hard to witness during pre-diagnosis, especially when this close family member was a keen cyclist who enjoyed outdoor adventure on a regular basis.

Post-diagnosis has seen significant improvement, the support of NASS has been greatly appreciated.

I'm also a keen cyclist and, would like to give something back supporting NASS in helping others find their way through life living with this condition. It's important to me to take on this cycling challenge because....... that close family member, is my son.

The average age for symptoms to start is only 26 years old, many start experiencing symptoms in their mid-teens to early twenties, my son was 21, he'll be 26 this year.

59% of people with axial SpA experience some sort of mental ill health, 39% more than the general population.

Diagnosis takes too long, the average time to diagnosis is 8.32 years.

If we raise £1000, that’s enough to support 100 people with axial SpA via the NASS Helpline.

Background

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.

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.

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.

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.

You can follow the challenge live:

Ride of Support 'Long Way Up' Live tracking: click here

Ride of Support 'Long Way Up' Instagram page for updates: click here

Ride of Support 'Long Way Up' X page for updates: click here