Whether you live with primary (Addison's), secondary, or tertiary adrenal insufficiency, Addison's Disease Day is for you!

This year our #AddisonsDiseaseDay theme is Turn Awareness into Action, a call to move beyond knowing and into doing. Because awareness alone isn't enough. It's what we do with that awareness that saves lives, supports our community and drives meaningful change.

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How are we taking action? Through new resources, the power of personal experience and your support!

🎥  New injection video: today we launch our new injection video to support you in learning the hydrocortisone sodium succinate (powder and water) injection. Because training for these tough moments can make all the difference when every second counts. Watch, share and practise so you’re ready to inject! 

💬 Stories of action from our community: On our blog, paramedic Lottie and content creator Emily share how they've turned their lived experience into action. Read and be inspired!

🔎 Share your experience for research: in our new study we want to hear your experiences of preventing and managing adrenal crisis. Your insights will shape how it’s understood and treated. Take action by taking part.

🚦 Have you got an Action Plan? Our latest leaflet uses a traffic light system to explain how to manage adrenal insufficiency from daily medication and Sick Day Rules to adrenal crisis. Fill one in so others can support you when action is needed. Be aware, be prepared and be understood.

Hospital awareness stands and Addison’s Afternoon Teas have taken place all around the UK today! If you’ve volunteered, thank you! Finally, curious as to why 29 May is #AddisonsDiseaseDay? Keep reading to learn more.

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Ready, set, inject! New injection video

Our new injection video is to support you in learning the hydrocortisone sodium succinate (powder and water) injection process. With multiple steps involved, we know from our own lived experience that this can seem overwhelming. But by practising in a calm environment and taking it step by step, you can learn and familiarise yourself with this skill.

Training for these tough moments can make all the difference when every second counts. So gather your people and watch our new video today! You can also use one of our Injection Training Kits to practise the steps involved. We’re here to help you feel prepared.

Watch on YouTube

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Stories of action from our community

Meet Lottie and Emily, two incredible people who have taken their lived experience and turned it into action! Head to our blog and let their stories inspire you.

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We need you! Share your experience for research

Adrenal crisis is life-threatening yet the real story of how people experience and manage it has been missing from research. Our newly launched research study in collaboration with City St George's University of London is looking to change that, and you can be involved.

The more voices we capture, the stronger the case for improving care, policy, and patient safety, so we are aiming for 1,000 responses. Act now: take part and share! 

Complete the anonymous online survey and/or sign up for a 1:1 interview (limited number available). Even if you’ve never experienced an adrenal crisis, you can still take part in the online survey as learning more about prevention is a vital part of this study. 

To ensure our research captures all experiences, for a 1:1 interview, we’re looking to hear from more men and people from non-white ethnic backgrounds. Your participation helps make this research truly representative. Thank you!

Find out more & take part

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Have you got an Action Plan?

When you live with a rare disease like adrenal insufficiency, including Addison’s, it can feel like you're constantly explaining your condition and how it's managed, to others.

That’s where the Adrenal Insufficiency Action Plan comes in! Using a simple traffic light system, this leaflet helps you share essential information about your condition and how to manage it.

✅ Green (left) - explains your daily medication and its time-critical nature.
⚠️ Amber (middle) - explains your Sick Day Rules and recommended doses.
🚨 Red (right) - explains the signs and symptoms of adrenal crisis, as well as emergency actions, treatment and monitoring.

Get your copy by downloading for free or order a printed copy from our shop. This leaflet has been endorsed by the Society for Endocrinology and clinical advisors from the ADSHG and The Pituitary Foundation, as part of our Prescription Frequency Project.

Adrenal Insufficiency Action Plan

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Thank you to our amazing fundraisers!

Throughout May, members of our wonderful community have been coming together to host Addison’s Afternoon Tea events in support of Addison’s Disease Day - raising vital awareness and funds for the ADSHG.

From gatherings in homes and gardens to events in church halls and workplaces, it has been truly inspiring to see so many people getting involved and supporting our charity in such meaningful ways. Every cup of tea made, every conversation started and every donation given is helping us continue our work supporting people affected by adrenal insufficiency, including Addison’s disease.

One of our Afternoon Teas is taking place in Sudbury tomorrow and the invitation has kindly been extended to our community, so please join Alison’s event if you’re free! Find out more.

If you’d like to support our Addison’s Afternoon Tea campaign, please consider making a donation today.

Donate

Together, we are making a real difference. To all our fundraisers, attendees, donors and supporters - thank you. Your generosity and continued support make our work possible.

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Why 29 May? Addison’s Disease Day is held on the birthday of John F. Kennedy, the 35th US President who managed his Addison's disease and other autoimmune conditions in secret. At the age of 30, while a US Congressman, JFK was secretly diagnosed with Addison’s whilst in London, his famous suntan being a symptom of his Addison's.

It is reported that cortisone was kept in safety deposit boxes around the country, so JFK had ready access to maintenance and emergency medication wherever he travelled - his very own #ShareYourKit! His complicated medical history was only revealed to the public years after his death. JFK's younger sister, Eunice, also had Addison’s.

Famous Lives - John F. Kennedy

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Have you done something special to mark Addison’s Disease Day? We’d love to hear about it! Please get in touch so we can thank you and share with our community.

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