Pinchbeck-based charity Haemochromatosis UK is celebrating after being awarded £393,500 to support its work helping people at risk of the UK’s most common undiagnosed genetic condition.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund will enable Haemochromatosis UK to develop a pioneering new five-year programme to advise and support communities at risk of iron overload from genetic haemochromatosis.
The initiative builds upon the charity’s successful launch of postal genetic screening in 2021 and associated research programme, which demonstrated that genetic haemochromatosis is more prevalent than was previously thought.
Although genetic haemochromatosis is common in England, it is rarely diagnosed.
Untreated, the condition can lead to toxic iron overload, where the body is unable to process excess iron. This in turn can lead to liver cancer, heart disease, diabetes, serious joint pain and mental health issues.
With the National Lottery’s support, the charity will provide advice and support to patients and clinicians across England, and deliver screening for the condition to families at risk.
The charity’s specialist nursing team will provide counselling for those newly diagnosed with genetic haemochromatosis.
Genetic screening will be provided to families at risk across England, through the charity’s award-winning testing service.
The programme starts later this month, from the charity’s national base in Pinchbeck.
For more information visit www.ironoverload.org.uk.
