Today is Addison's Disease Day! A day for everyone who is affected by Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency, to come together to raise awareness and celebrate this amazing community. Whilst we may be rare, by working together our impact is impossible to ignore!

This Addison’s Disease Day our theme is 'Know the Signs, Save a Life'. We want to educate the public and healthcare professionals on the Sick Day Rules or “updosing” - when people with Addison’s disease and adrenal insufficiency increase their cortisol medication when unwell to prevent adrenal crisis.

By increasing awareness of low cortisol signs and educating healthcare professionals, we can improve quality of life and ultimately save lives. Take a look at the resources available for you.

Know the Signs, Save a Life

• Personal experience: hear how Joyce and Ruth apply the Sick Day Rules when travelling the world as Sephira, The Irish Rock Violinists.
• Learn from the experts - free webinar: watch our Sick Day Rules Webinar in collaboration with The Pituitary Foundation, hosted by Endocrine Clinical Nurse Specialist, Aldons Chua.
• Educate healthcare professionals: learn about our new GP education module, highlighting the Sick Day Rules.

We've also been running hospital awareness stands and Addison's Afternoon Teas. Curious why 29 May is Addison's Disease Day? Keep reading to learn more!

---

Sephira – The Irish Rock Violinists

Meet Ruth and Joyce, two sisters who have Addison's disease. In their blog written especially for Addison's Disease Day, they share how they travel the world and released multiple albums all whilst managing their Addison's and other health conditions. They share their tips on when they know they need to updose or follow the Sick Day Rules, in their "cortisol check-in", and how they are prepared for emergencies, including keeping injection kits in their violin cases!

Sephira – The Irish Rock Violinists

---

Sick Day Rules Webinar 

To mark our theme "Know the Signs, Save a Life", we teamed up with The Pituitary Foundation to host a free Sick Day Rules webinar.

This webinar was presented by Endocrine Specialist Nurse, Aldons Chua. During the webinar, Aldons went through the Sick Day Rules for Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency, discussing the signs of adrenal crisis and what to do if an adrenal crisis takes place. ⁠
⁠
Watch back to learn more about adapting your steroid medication dosing during times of illness or physical and psychological stress and hear the "Top 5" most asked questions, submitted by you our community ahead of the webinar. Huge thanks to Aldons Chua for volunteering his time to host this webinar!

---

New GP education module

We are thrilled to have worked on the new BMJ Learning Adrenal Crisis e-learning course for GPs, to ensure they are aware of the correct management of Addison’s disease and adrenal insufficiency. GPs can learn how to recognise, diagnose and manage the condition in primary care. The module also covers adrenal crisis and the emergency treatment which should be delivered before hospital transfer.

This course offers a practical guide for GPs providing them with vital knowledge, including the need to prescribe 3 months of essential steroid medication to ensure you have enough to keep you safe through an episode of illness which requires increased Sick Day Rule dosing to prevent an acute adrenal crisis. 

Special thanks to our Clinical Advisory Panel, particularly Lisa Shepherd RN and Prof Simon Pearce, plus the BMJ Peer Review Team.

This is the second GP module the ADSHG have co-authored. GPs can also access the RCGP eModule "Adrenal insufficiency with a focus on Addison's disease”. By working with healthcare professionals and thanks to your incredible fundraising and donations, this vital work to improve the management and care of our conditions is made possible. 

Let your GP know about these e-modules! Download our poster and give to your GP practice or send them the links below - helping them stay up to date, ensuring they can support you in the best way. If you are a GP yourself, why not print out and display our poster in your staff room to let others know about these CPD courses. 

Download our poster to share with your GP practice

---

---

---

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 complicated medical history was only revealed to the public years after his death.  As arguably the most well-known public figure with Addison's, John F Kennedy’s birthday is a fitting date for us to raise awareness. Read more in our Famous Lives article. 

---

We can't make Addison's Disease Day a success without you. So spread the word! Share our social media posts, start a fundraising challenge and raise awareness with our resources. Thank you for your support. Our work simply wouldn't be possible without you. Together we will help improve the lives of those with Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency.

Happy Addison's Disease Day!     #AddisonsDiseaseDay

---

Whether you're newly diagnosed or have lived with the condition for years - please join our community and support our cause! You'll receive the latest expert advice, guidance and ADSHG news, whilst being part of our inspiring and supportive community. Become a member today! 

Join the ADSHG 

Connect on social media! Follow us on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.