As a sufferer of (AS) I want to help raise awareness of the disease, as well as raise money for the dedicated people working for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS). (NASS) is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting anyone affected by (AS).

I was diagnosed at the age of 22, its very rare that diagnoses is made at such a young age because the average diagnoses takes 7 years! (NASS) are working hard to try and raise awareness and reduce the diagnoses time, leading sufferers to the help they need sooner.

(AS) is an inflammatory arthritis of the spine, affecting young people for life. Now, at the age of 31, I am the fittest I have ever been, with the advances in medication, and how (AS) is now being treated. In the beginning I was on 15 tablets a day for a few years, all the while experiencing terrible back pains in what is known as a 'flare'. Roughly 7 years ago I started taking a new treatment for my (AS) which requires me to inject myself every 2 weeks. Since that point I haven't looked back (no puns intended), my flares in this time can probably counted on one hand, and I have come off of all other medication while still being able to live an 'active lifestyle'. I want to show other (AS) suffers that it is possible to get this thing under control, and live the life you want.

Plenty more info can be found at www.nass.co.uk, or by simply googling "Ankylosing Spondylitis". 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, any donation* towards my goal would be most welcome, no matter what size, myself and any other suffers would be most appreciated in your support of the hard working people at (NASS).

Many thanks,

Martin

*Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on, or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. It's the most efficient way to donate to a charity - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.