World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2023

World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2023 was a great success this year, thanks to all our members, the public, the media, volunteers and nurses around the country who shared their stories of haemochromatosis, promoted the week on radio, print or social media or to everyone who set up an information stand in their workplace or shopping centre or hospital! Tomas O’Leary, rugby legend and former rugby international helped launch our awareness campaign, along with his aunt, uncle and family members, who have a family history of haemochromatosis. Sincere thanks to Jim Jackman and his wife Mary, Maire Jackman and her son Robert for fronting the campaign for us this year.

Pictured is Tomás O’Leary, former Rugby player who is launching the week-long campaign for the Irish Haemochromatosis Association. Tomás (right) is pictured with David Beggy, GAA All Star and volunteer board member, Irish Haemochromatosis Association (left) and Robert Jackman Flynn (16) to highlight the hereditary nature of the condition – Haemochromatosis, also known as ‘Iron Overload’ is a serious condition in which too much iron is absorbed and stored in the body. It can be life-threatening and symptoms can include arthritis, diabetes, abdominal pain and chronic fatigue. About one in five people in Ireland have one copy of the gene with 1 in 83 Irish people being predisposed to having iron overload.

Our aim is as always, to ensure that as many people as possible know about haemochromatosis, the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and how to get checked for haemochromatosis. As part of our global awareness campaign, thank you to all the county and city councils who lit up their civic buildings or momuments in red across Ireland during World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week this year. Over 200 iconic buildings across the world lit up red for awareness week this year! If you would like to suggest or nominate a public building near you to be lit up red for next year, do let us know and get in touch, [email protected]

Dublin Convention Centre goes red for World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2023
Cork City Hall lights up red in June for World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2023

IHA News and Events

Volunteer Treasurer Needed

We are looking for a Volunteer Treasurer with an interest or a personal connection to haemochromatosis and who is interested in raising more awareness of Ireland’s most common genetic disorder. We are seeking individuals with skills and experience in finance, accountancy, book-keeping.

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Irish PR Awards

We are so proud to have been shortlisted for the Irish PR Awards in ‘Best Healthcare Campaign’ for our campaign work on World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week in 2023. Sincere thanks to all the team at Harris PR

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