News release: Prestigious award for Huntington's Disease Association
Liverpool-based charity wins prestigious national award for tackling the hereditary disease across UK
Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) has won a prestigious GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award for its outstanding contribution to improving the lives of people with the disease across the UK, GSK and The King’s Fund announced yesterday evening at the award ceremony held at London’s Science Museum.
HDA supports people living with, and dying from Huntington’s Disease (HD), a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system affecting an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 in the UK. A progressive, incurable and unpredictable disease that can cause personality changes, the disease can affect many people in a family from grandparent and parent to children. Given the low incidence rates, health care professionals often do not understand the complexity of the disease or how to manage the symptoms positively.
It is reaching the vast majority of people with the HD gene, with 6,312 volunteers organised into 33 local branches providing support to over 5,000 people with the disease, 6,000 at risk of developing it and 7,000 carers. HDA acts as the link between physical, medical and psychiatric healthcare providers and these families. It also provides training for health professionals and has national influence over the delivery of services and standards of care. It has done particularly innovative work with young people with HD, realising that these young people are probably already dealing with one parent already experiencing the disease. HDA developed information and advice for them and organised family summer camps in order for families to meet up and reduce isolation.
The GSK IMPACT Awards, GSK’s flagship UK corporate responsibility programme organised in partnership with The King’s Fund, is seen as a ‘seal of excellence’ in the sector. As well as receiving £30,000 in funding during a difficult financial climate, the winners can take part in a training programme hosted by The King’s Fund that provides training, development and networking opportunities. Feedback has shown that this opportunity is as important to the winning charities as the funding as it helps them develop the skills to carry on building their organisation.
Lisa Weaks, Third Sector Programme Manager at The King’s Fund, said: ‘We congratulate the Huntington’s Disease Association on its well deserved win. Its innovative approach has made it a centre of excellence and example for other charitable organisations. Huntington’s is a complex disease which can leave families feeling confused and isolated. Their excellent work across the UK is reaching the vast majority of those in need. It is very strong, well organised and well connected with its potential client group and those who need to be influenced nationally and locally.’
Cath Stanley CEO said “We are delighted to have received this award. HD is a rare illness that many people, both families and professionals, have never heard of. As well as recognition for the work we do, the award will help raise the profile of the complex problems families face, but also will help show case their enormous courage and resilience. The training that comes as part of the award will help us to further grow and develop as an Organisation”.
The calibre of award is reflected in its judging panel who chose the winners, which this year includes Professor Steve Field, Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England (health inequalities); the journalist, Fiona Philips; Peter Wanless, CEO of The Big Lottery; Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants at Comic Relief; Sir Christopher Gent, Chairman of GSK; and, Sir Chris Kelly, Chair of The King’s Fund.
The King’s Fund is a charity that seeks to understand how the health system in England can be improved. Using that insight, it helps to shape policy, transform services and bring about behaviour change. Its work includes research, analysis, leadership development and service improvement. It also offers a wide range of resources to help everyone working in health to share knowledge, learning and ideas. For further information please visit http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit http://www.gsk.com
Photos and video
Liverpool-based charity wins prestigious national award for tackling the hereditary disease across UK
Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) has won a prestigious GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Award for its outstanding contribution to improving the lives of people with the disease across the UK, GSK and The King’s Fund announced yesterday evening at the award ceremony held at London’s Science Museum.
HDA supports people living with, and dying from Huntington’s Disease (HD), a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system affecting an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 in the UK. A progressive, incurable and unpredictable disease that can cause personality changes, the disease can affect many people in a family from grandparent and parent to children. Given the low incidence rates, health care professionals often do not understand the complexity of the disease or how to manage the symptoms positively.
It is reaching the vast majority of people with the HD gene, with 6,312 volunteers organised into 33 local branches providing support to over 5,000 people with the disease, 6,000 at risk of developing it and 7,000 carers. HDA acts as the link between physical, medical and psychiatric healthcare providers and these families. It also provides training for health professionals and has national influence over the delivery of services and standards of care. It has done particularly innovative work with young people with HD, realising that these young people are probably already dealing with one parent already experiencing the disease. HDA developed information and advice for them and organised family summer camps in order for families to meet up and reduce isolation.
The GSK IMPACT Awards, GSK’s flagship UK corporate responsibility programme organised in partnership with The King’s Fund, is seen as a ‘seal of excellence’ in the sector. As well as receiving £30,000 in funding during a difficult financial climate, the winners can take part in a training programme hosted by The King’s Fund that provides training, development and networking opportunities. Feedback has shown that this opportunity is as important to the winning charities as the funding as it helps them develop the skills to carry on building their organisation.
Lisa Weaks, Third Sector Programme Manager at The King’s Fund, said: ‘We congratulate the Huntington’s Disease Association on its well deserved win. Its innovative approach has made it a centre of excellence and example for other charitable organisations. Huntington’s is a complex disease which can leave families feeling confused and isolated. Their excellent work across the UK is reaching the vast majority of those in need. It is very strong, well organised and well connected with its potential client group and those who need to be influenced nationally and locally.’
Cath Stanley CEO said “We are delighted to have received this award. HD is a rare illness that many people, both families and professionals, have never heard of. As well as recognition for the work we do, the award will help raise the profile of the complex problems families face, but also will help show case their enormous courage and resilience. The training that comes as part of the award will help us to further grow and develop as an Organisation”.
The calibre of award is reflected in its judging panel who chose the winners, which this year includes Professor Steve Field, Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England (health inequalities); the journalist, Fiona Philips; Peter Wanless, CEO of The Big Lottery; Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants at Comic Relief; Sir Christopher Gent, Chairman of GSK; and, Sir Chris Kelly, Chair of The King’s Fund.
The King’s Fund is a charity that seeks to understand how the health system in England can be improved. Using that insight, it helps to shape policy, transform services and bring about behaviour change. Its work includes research, analysis, leadership development and service improvement. It also offers a wide range of resources to help everyone working in health to share knowledge, learning and ideas. For further information please visit http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/
GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit http://www.gsk.com
Photos and video