Charity Spotlight: Arthritis Ireland
Who they are?
Arthritis Ireland has worked for four decades to support people with arthritis and improve their quality of life. Our mission is to ensure that every person living with arthritis in Ireland is supported to live a full and active life and has access to appropriate health services and treatments. We work to ensure an enhanced quality of life for people living with arthritis, minimising the devastating effects that arthritis can have on lives.
What is Arthritis?
Everybody has heard of arthritis, yet few people actually know much about it. Arthritis affects about 915,000 people in Ireland – people of all ages can get it, and it accounts for one in three visits to a GP.
It cannot be cured, but there is much that can be done to manage it and have a better quality of life.
Arthritis means, simply, inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is not a diagnosis in itself; it is a general term that acknowledges something is wrong. It often takes time for a doctor to reach a precise diagnosis.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis, which affect approximately 1 in 5 people in Ireland. Some forms of arthritis are rare, while others, such as osteoarthritis, are much more common.
Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children. Arthritis is not, therefore, just part of the ageing process. However, some kinds of arthritis do tend to affect people in particular age groups, whilst others are more common in women than men.
Most commonly, people with arthritis experience pain and immobility. The causes of arthritis are complex, and many are as yet unknown. While there is no cure, there is plenty that can be done to control the disease and to improve quality of life.
What Arthritis Ireland do
Arthritis Ireland are the first and frequent point of support for people living with arthritis in Ireland.
They develop and deliver the services and supports which allow people living with arthritis to lead full and active lives.
They listen to their community and advocate solutions to their needs through developing evidence-based policy proposals.
They influence the research agenda and promote development of new diagnostics, treatments and supports.
What they are doing
Our CEO Gráinne O Leary is celebrating twenty years with Arthritis Ireland this year and is celebrating by taking on the challenge of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. Arthritis Ireland want to build a big team of fundraisers join Gráinne to raise much needed funds so that they can continue to support people living with arthritis across the country.
The Vhi Women's Mini Marathon is a fantastic fun event to do with friends, family and colleagues all while raising funds for a great cause. There are over 1 million adults affected by arthritis in Ireland - show your support for those in your life who are impacted by joining the Arthritis Ireland team.
If you have any questions or we can help in any way email fundraising@arthritisireland.ie or call us on 01 647 0209.
See more details on the Arthritis Ireland website here:
https://www.arthritisireland.ie/vhi-womens-mini-marathon-2024
Contact Arthritis Ireland:
Arthritis Ireland, 1 Clanwilliam Square, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, D02 DH77
P: 01 661 8188
fundraising@arthritisireland.ie
Website: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/