We R.A. Priority

08 September 2020

NRAS is pleased to announce our work with the campaign “We R.A. Priority” which is being led by Gilead Sciences from Tuesday 8 September. The campaign aims to support adults of all ages with this hidden disease and open up discussions to dispel the misperceptions that exist around this condition.

08/09/2020

Research has shown that young people and adults with RA often are hindered with the perception that they have a disease that only inflicts the elderly and can often find they are discriminated against in the workplace. The We R A Priority campaign intends to highlight the importance of treating RA and its life-changing impact for individuals and communities. With over 400,000 people in the UK with this autoimmune condition, RA needs to be treated quickly and efficiently to avoid permanent damage to the joints. This campaign intends to promote urgent changes that are required to alter the misperceptions of RA and its impact both socially and economically. The two aims are: 

1 – Ensuring RA has its own specific identity from other arthritic conditions that are not caused by auto-immune dysfunction 

2 – Highlighting the often hidden and concealed symptoms for those with RA, ensuring there is better support within their communities for them. 

Clare Jacklin, Chief Executive at the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) said:

“Over 400,000 people across the UK live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); yet, in 2020, misunderstanding around the condition is still alarmingly high and is causing deep distress for individuals as well as a major fiscal and social cost to society. These are people with incredible potential and to still be in the situation where people are shouted at in the street for using disabled parking spaces because they ‘don’t look;’ like they should or they lose their job or overlooked for career progression because of their RA, is simply unacceptable. Today the community is calling for urgent action. By taking just simple steps to change attitudes, we can change thousands of lives. Without this, the community could face more challenges as COVID-19 ‘recovery plans establishes other, more recognised conditions as ‘more important’. We must act now. The reality is that those affected by RA are capable, and often inspirational people with so much to offer, as long as RA is a priority.”  

For more information on the campaign please visit https://werapriority.co.uk/ 

About NRAS 

The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), is the only patient-led organisation in the UK specialising both in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Due to its targeted focus on both RA and JIA, NRAS provides truly expert and wide-ranging services to support, educate and campaign for people living with these complex autoimmune conditions, their families and the health professionals who treat them. 

Their vision is to support all with RA or JIA to live life to the full with an underpinning mission to: 

  • support everyone living with the impact of RA or JIA at the start and every step of their journey 
  • to inform – be their first choice for reliable information, and 
  • empower all to have a voice and take control of their RA or JIA 

Mission statement: Changing Minds, Changing Services, Changing Lives for all those living with RA and JIA in the UK.