'Butterfly Group' charity launches in UK to help those with immune disorders

05/09/2008

The Butterfly Group is a new charity providing support and care for those affected by immune, auto immune and chronic disorders. Based in Blackpool they are dealing with over 100 illnesses and 100 related symptoms - and is the only charity in the UK that supports and cares for these illnesses as a collective group of disorders.

 

Immune disorders occur when the immune response is reduced or defective, which makes the sufferer vulnerable  to infections including HIV, DiGeorge Syndrome and Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome sufferers. Currently there are known  to be over 80 serious and acute auto immune disorders that involve almost every human organ system.

 

Sometimes the body’s own immune system becomes misdirected, looses its way and attacks the very organs it was designed to protect -which is called autoimmunity. These illnesses include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjögren’s Syndrome, Chronic Nephritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), forms of Anaemia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Psoriasis, Chrons Disease, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) and Coeliac Disease to name but a few.

 

Five to seven percent of the entire UK population are affected by immune and auto immune disorders - and the numbers are still growing.

 

Butterfly’s President and Trustee, Dr Ramesh Gandhi OBE, said: "This charity's objectives are the relief of sickness and provision of good health for people affected by immune and auto immune illnesses - which includes forms of anaemia, rheumatic arthritis, nephritis, systemic lupus, erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, Sjögren’s syndrome and various types of thyroid dysfunctions. The list is very comprehensive.

 

"Currently these illnesses are the least understood in terms of treatment with no cure as yet. So sufferers really need to know more about the diseases and symptomatic treatment - which we can provide."

 

Gandhi, a retired cardiothoracic surgeon, decided to support this special and unique group to get registered charity status and premises. He is now "hoping and praying" that the communities of Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde and Lancashire will support the charity fully so that all sufferers get appropriate information and support locally.

 

Charity Founder and Manager, Christina Lukacs of Blackpool said: “ I realised how difficult these illnesses were to live with after being diagnosed with a serious form of  auto immune illnesses. There is a general lack of awareness by the general public as well as a shortage of support and information for sufferers.

 

"In fact it is not uncommon for some people to have several auto immune illnesses, and the disorders are vast and unique to each sufferer. Some are mild and some fatal, but in most cases the illness affects not only the individual but their family, friends and colleagues.

 

"The local community has welcomed The Butterfly Group with open arms and has joined in at all levels - which we are so grateful for. The charity will go from strength to strength with the support it has received and very much looks forward to the future and its work with the beneficiaries and their supporters.”

 

To get information on illnesses and disorders, support, fundraising, and information, please contact Christina Lukacs, Founder and Manager on 01253 347782  or alternatively on email at thebutterflygroup@live.co.uk.

 

Alternatively write to: The Butterfly Group, 535 Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY4 1TE.