World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 1-7th June 2025

We officially launched World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week this year in the beautiful grounds
of Killeen Castle, Co. Meath. Thank you to Mathew Costello, our wonderful Ambassador and Meath GAA
footballer and Tailteann Cup Footballer of the Year and to David Beggy, Voluntary Chair, IHA and GAA All-Star for helping to shine a light on Ireland’s most common genetic disorder. We continue to use the opportunity of awareness week to amplify the conversation around ‘Get Checked for Haemochromatosis’.

Thank you to all our members, friends and volunteers who did live radio interviews, newspaper interviews
and features, organised information stands, distributed educational flyers and leaflets and promoted awareness in their local communities. We could not do this without you!

You can find a link to just some of the radio interviews/podcasts below. Thank you to everyone for helping us spread the word and a special thank you to all our members and volunteers who did interviews on local and regional radio, talking about their own journeys through haemochromatosis – which is such a good way to promote awareness around early diagnosis and treatment.

📻Kerry Radio, interview with Raphael Crowley on Talkabout, Deirdre Walsh’s Show: https://www.radiokerry.ie/podcasts/talkabout/world-haemochromatosis-day-438240

📻 Mid West Radio, interview with Luke Mitchell on The Tommy Marren Show – you can start listening at 41.12 on the time bar here: Mid West Radio Luke Mitchell audio IV

📻 C103 interview with Martin Forrest with Patricia Messenger: http://bit.ly/442awgb

📻 Thank you also to Denise McAuliffe, Philip Maree, Brian Coyle, Brian Keegan, Martin Forrest, Maire Jackman, Anna McCarthy and all our other volunteers and members who did radio interviews and bulletins for Limerick Live, Phoenix FM, Highland Radio, Castlebar Radio, 96FM and Radio na Life!

The importance of raising awareness means that these simple messages are communicated across all media platforms during World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week:

Haemochromatosis is Ireland’s most common genetic disorder and we have the highest rates of iron overload in the world.

Symptoms of haemochromatosis can range from chronic tiredness and joint pain to abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat and liver problems.

Early diagnosis is crucial in ensuring effective management on the condition and preventing serious complications if left untreated, such as organ damage or even premature death.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms ‘Get Checked for Haemochromatosis’ by consulting your GP, to arrange an iron panel blood test

We continue to ask you to help us promote awareness around haemochromatosis:

Like and share our posts on our charity social media pages

Learn more through reading our information and resources and spreading the word!

Thank you to all the city and county councils who lit up town and city halls to mark World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week. Some of the buildings illuminated in red included the Mansion House, Fingal Town Hall, Swords Castle, Cork City Hall, Limerick Council Offices, Sligo and Wexford City Hall and Kerry County Council Buildings in Tralee, Killarney and Kenmare. Over 500 buildings worldwide
were lit up to mark awareness week.

A selection of some of the photos of our Light Up Red campaign below: