Radio Day: October 25, MDS World Awareness Day. Catch-up on the stories of 4 people affected by MDS
Written by Manuela Rotstein
MDS is a rare form of blood cancer
Annually 2,240 patients in the UK are diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
On October 25 we marked MDS World Awareness Day to raise public awareness of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and its symptoms. We joined forces with UK local and national radio stations
11 interviews
130 minutes of airtime on local and national radio stations
We reached 1.78m people!
Four people affected by MDS were interviewed on radio stations across the UK to spread the voice, for a greater understanding of MDS and for more research to be conducted to find a cure!
Catch up online by listening to their brave testimonies below:
Radio Diamond Manchester: Claudia and Kes
Central FM: Claudia and Ally
UCB Radio: Claudia and Kes
North Manchester FM 106.6: Claudia and Kes
97.5 Kemet FM: Claudia and Kes
BBC Radio Scotland: Ally
BBC Radio Lincolnshire: Adrian
BBC Radio Lincolnshire: Claudia
Switch Radio: Claudia and Kes
106.9 SFM: Claudia and Kes
Radio Saltire: Claudia and Ally
MDS UK and the Cabbage Patch 10 Mile Race
This year, under the patronage of Caitlin Limmer, who also passes for race director of CB10, MDS UK had a team of 20 runners at the Cabbage Patch Run. This is the third year that MDS UK have had a big presence and it’s now our ‘signature’ event. Help us raise enough money to cover the cost of a patient forum meeting! We also hope to add to our vision of supporting research into MDS.
After the Cabbage Patch Run the lovely runners from the BearCat Running Club marked MDS Awareness Day with a wonderful a-cappella song!
MDS UK Patient Support Group: Supporting GPs and Healthcare Professionals
We produced a Factsheet for GPs and Healthcare Professionals to help them spot early signs of MDS and refer patients to a specialist.
GPs are advised to be aware of patients who have persistently low blood counts or an unexplained need for blood transfusions. It is also important to note that some people with MDS don’t present any signs or symptoms at the time of their initial presentation, and that the disease is often only picked up via routine blood tests or procedures, which sets MDS apart from other blood cancers.
MDS UK Patient Support Group: Supporting MDS Patients and their Families
We provide a range of services for people affected by Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- A contact help and advice phone line 5 days/week: 020 7733 7558
- A network of small regional support group meetings, to meet informally – or organise activities or small presentations.
- Access to a list of UK consultants, specialising in MDS.
- A website, providing reliable, up-to-date information on MDS and two Facebook Groups.
People access more than 900 pages on MDS UK website every single day. On Radio Day people visited almost 2,000 pages!
And we also organise local group meetings. Watch Claudia talking about the many benefits of attending a meeting
Join your Local MDS Group
When do they meet and how to contact them
We’d like to sincerely thank those who made the World Awareness Day Radio Day Experience possible:
Reynolds McKenzie Healthcare PR, specifically Sophie and Natacha, as well as 4 Media Relations, Ellie and her team – for working with us on all preparations, content and scheduling.
And Celgene UK as our main financial support for this radio event.
