Val Eyre Events Fundraiser National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive and systemic disease of the autoimmune system causing joint inflammation and stiffness. It can cause extreme pain and fatigue It can affect other organs increasing the risk of heart and lung disease and eye damage There is currently NO CURE and we don’t know exactly what causes it 690,000 people across the UK live with RA, which is approximately 1.1% of the population

Being diagnosed with RA is often difficult to come to terms with and some people find it difficult to cope with. Anger, frustration, distress and a desire to ignore it are common place. This is where NRAS fits in...

‘A better life for those living with Rheumatoid Arthritis We achieve this by:  Providing information, support, education and advocacy  Raising public awareness of the disease  Raising the priority of RA with politicians and key policy makers  Campaigning for equal access to good levels of care for all  Encouraging self management and networking

The NRAS Team Staff of 21 Head office in Maidenhead in Berkshire Work throughout the UK Accountable to a Board of Trustees

How can NRAS help? NRAS has a comprehensive range of services which support and empower people with RA, their families and carers: Helpline Membership Publications Website Volunteer Network RA Self Management Programme Campaigning

What we are doing now  Continuing to support people living with RA, their families, carers and healthcare professionals  Developing a new support and information service for the 12,000 children and young people living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)  First RA Awareness Week, 2013  New publication - The Impact of RA on Emotions, Relationships and Sexuality  Rolling out our RA Self-Management Programme

The future –  Increase membership to 7,500 and professional members to 1200  Greater income streams including more regular legacy income and major donor income  Have an established income stream from supporting UK research  Greater public awareness  Use Social Media to spread the word

The future continued  Establish RASMP as the programme of choice for people with RA  Better GP awareness/earlier referrals  Lower entry criteria for starting Biologics  Make a significant contribution to improving support for families with JIA  Established NRAS Ambassadors in all UK nations  Increase volume on all our front line services  More volunteers and groups in the UK

Events and Challenges NRAS Tea Party  You choose the date and venue  We supply the Tea Party Pack Runs  Great North Run  Great South Run  Royal Parks Half Marathon Overseas Challenges  Climb Mount Kilimanjaro  Trek the Great Wall of China

Why not choose your own event !

RA Awareness Week  24 th – 30 th June  About raising awareness of the disease with the key message “RA can STRIKE at any age”  There will be a release everyday, however fundraising is not the key driving message, awareness is!

World Arthritis Day 2013  12 th October  About raising awareness of all rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease with the key message “Living better, aging well”

Individual Support  Give as you Live  Recycle for Charity  Ink Cartridges  Old Mobile Phones  Jewellery  Clothes  Payroll Giving  Merchandise  Wristbands  Canvas bags  Lapel badges

Thank you very much! Any Questions?