Specialist help for patients and those who treat them

When Ailsa Bosworth, pictured, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) four decades ago, she was plunged into a maelstrom of emotions.

“If you’ve just been diagnosed or you think you may have it, you may be feeling all sorts of things: emotional, anxious or afraid of what the future holds,” says Ailsa. “I felt all those things and more.”

The autoimmune condition affects more than 400,000 people in the UK, with women most affected.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis ( JIA) affects around 12,000 children and young adults, bringing a raft of challenges to families.

Having struggled to find support following her diagnosis, Ailsa launched NRAS in 2001, making NRAS the first patient- led organisation in the UK.

Its targeted focus means the charity can provide specialist

NRAS

services to support, educate and campaign for people affected by these complex autoimmune conditions, their families and the health professionals who treat them.

As new patients emerged during the Covid- 19 crisis, the charity was there to bring help and advice, and offer support to others who found treatment and care disrupted.

After 40 years, it might be expected that Ailsa’s condition is well under control. However, she says: “Unfortunately I am one of those people who doesn’t respond to most of the drug treatments.

“It has been quite a difficult journey over a long time.”

Having led the charity as chief executive for some 18 years, and been decorated with an MBE for her work, Ailsa is now National Patient Champion. And she plans to continue supporting its work after she has gone.

“When my husband and I made our Wills, after providing for the family, I wanted to ensure NRAS received a gift.

“This organisation is an important part of my life, and I know it delivers valuable services for the hundreds of thousands of people living with both RA and JIA across the UK.

“Our gift will help NRAS to continue providing essential support and services for all those affected by RA and JIA.” www. nras. org. uk/ giftsinwills