Ladies Circle & Societi

Each year our President has the privilege of choosing a supported charity and very often there will be a personal connection or reason for choosing their charity. For me, in my year as President this is the case too as I’ll be supporting Societi, the UK Foundation for Kawasaki Disease. 

Like most parents, I’d hope I know all the serious diseases to look out for as your child (or your grandchild) grows.  We’re all alert to meningitis and measles for instance, we’d know what to look for and what to do. But did you know Kawasaki Disease is more common than either bacterial meningitis or measles? AND that it’s a really serious disease which is the #1 cause of acquired heart disease in UK children. As a mum it’s shocking to me that this little-known disease, which is rapidly on the rise (with no known cause) leads to heart damage in 28% of children affected, and it’s very serious in babies under one where 39% of infants (yes 39%!) develop lifelong heart damage. This really is a disease that every parent needs to know!

Early recognition of Kawasaki Disease makes all the difference. When treated early, the outlook is generally good.  So, I’m on a mission in my year as President to work with you, to raise awareness of Kawasaki Disease and support Societi in their aim to get ‘just’ 65 million people (everyone in the UK) to know Kawasaki Disease.

I hope you will join me in raising awareness and getting your brilliant fundraising hats on so that together we can make a massive difference for children during my year as President. Join me – let’s protect children’s hearts in 2019–20.