ON SATURDAY 12 October, county halls and other prominent, iconic buildings across Wales will light up blue to mark World Arthritis Day.
The action is being led by charity Versus Arthritis to help shine a light and raise awareness of the conditions which it says are too often ignored and misunderstood.
There are currently as many as 974,000 people living musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, in Wales today. But Versus Arthritis say many more experience the pain and fatigue of arthritis but remain undiagnosed, untreated and unsupported. The charity wants the light-up of buildings to inspire people with arthritis in the community to share their stories and experiences, and to know they are not alone.
This week has also seen a National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Conference take place at Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday 8 October. The event launched NHS Wales’s new National Strategic Clinical Network for Musculoskeletal Conditions as well as a new MSK Framework strategy to improve arthritis health care in Wales. Cymru Versus Arthritis sees the conference as an exciting opportunity to shape future arthritis health services and discuss how to reduce the impact of arthritis on the population of Wales.
62-year-old Angela Dullaghan shared her experiences of how osteoarthritis affects her life.
She said: “I’ve probably had osteoarthritis 12 or 13 years and I’m on the waiting list for knee replacements in both knees.
“I can potter around the house without a stick or a crutch, but as soon as I leave the house, I would have to have my crutch with me. I don’t really go to many places on my own these days. I tend to have somebody with me. I kind of lost my confidence going out and about. I used to think nothing of jumping on the bus. I can’t do that anymore because I haven’t been able to manage.”
Mary Cowern, Head of Wales at Versus Arthritis said: “It’s vitally important that charities, governments and the NHS work together to make sure arthritis is taken seriously and ensure people have timely access to the right support and care they need to live healthy and happy lives.
“Angela’s story highlights just how much of an impact arthritis can have on quality of life. We hope the lighting up of buildings around Wales for World Arthritis Day will help people living with arthritis to remember that they are not alone with their condition. Versus Arthritis, with our local support groups and helpline team, are here for them.”
Versus Arthritis knows the impact of arthritis can be huge, yet for a condition affecting so many, they believe far too little is done. This World Arthritis Day, Versus Arthritis are campaigning to ensure people with arthritis feel heard, and can access the care and support they need.
On the day itself on Saturday 12 October, Versus Arthritis will be celebrating the stories people with arthritis have shared from 2024 across social media, please do join and support in raising awareness and tagging @VersusArthritis on Instagram and Facebook or @CymruVArthritis on X.
As well as raising awareness of arthritis and investing in research, the charity offers practical support through a range of services. These include information about the conditions, self-management advice, exercise programmes, online communities and how you can get involved. To find out more about the support on offer provided by the charity, please visit their website www.versusarthritis.org/in-your-area/wales/
