Pernicious Anaemia Day 12 October 2023

[PAScomms]

the Pernicious Anaemia Society is announcing the first "day" to raise awareness of Pernicious Anaemia. We've chosen the 12th because, you know, B12! and October because historically it's when many historical figures in the field of PA and B12 were born or died. You will be able to read about that soon on our Website!

By having a dedicated day we want to raise awareness, grow our social media following and perhaps encourage you to raise some funds for us!

please go and follow us on social media at Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn - if social media is your thing - and sign up as a member or make a donation on 12th October if you can!

thank you!

ps if you want to know more about what we do you can find it on our website but also by looking at a long response the Communication team just posted in reply to a post by Narwhal10!

Just click on the PAS logo here in the avatar of this account and you will see all our posts and comments.

[Rexz]

I think this is a grand idea. But have you considered making PA awareness day on a day in September? September is B12 awareness month, there is a B12 awareness week in September, and September 23 is B12 awareness day. I understand completely that PA is more than just B12 def. But if a day was created in September...what better way to draw a distinction between B12 def and PA. I pass out B12 awareness month flyers to my many doctors offices and draw a distinction (educate them) between just B12 def and PA/AMAG. But it would be nice during this same month, while their interest may be peaked to say and oh yeah September xx is PA awareness day and here's why that matters.

Icommend you for what you're doing as it truly does have an impact. Mostly in the UK.

My 2 cents... Rex

[PAScomms in reply to Rexz]

we did think about that but experience shows that PA gets drowned out in the discussion about B12 in the media unfortunately. We want to focus on PA which is the mission of the charity. Also it is a global day, there are days for everything every month so there will always be other things going on. We did research into the day, not a random choice!

[Rexz in reply to PAScomms]

Thank you for responding. It would be interesting to see the research if you could make that available. My experience in the US is that PA and B12def are so very closely related. It is imperative that doctors are educated, I believe, at the same time as B12 def that not only do they need to check for B12 but also find the root cause of that B12 def. That is imperative and possibly live saving to make sure the correct treatment is provided. In other words "it ain't just B12".

I appreciate what you do at PAS.

But I'll keep at B12 awareness month with making my doctors and med students aware of one of the root causes being PA and still quite deadly.

Best wishes, Rex

[Rexz in reply to PAScomms]

A bit more of my reasoning is that doctors have little time for their patients and their continuing education required to maintain their licenses. If you are fortunate enough to capture their limited attention they need to be presented with both B12, start generally looking and testing for B12, and Oh yes if you find someone deficient you should check for this PA. My thinking is that if you come in a couple of weeks later and attempt to pitch or discuss PA and it starts with B12 as it certainly will they will quickly default to Oh I heard that last month and I'm doing that then you've lost them, they are done. They may smile and nod but mentality they've already moved on.

Just food for thought. Rex

[Mixteca]

Great idea! I'd agree with Rexz - September feels like a more opportune moment to raise awareness. October marks Black History month in the UK, so it may be harder to get the word out.