World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week 2021

Haemochromatosis or ‘iron overload’ is Ireland’s most common genetic condition. Early diagnosis is vital and if untreated can lead to organ damage or premature death. The Irish Haemochromatosis Association estimates there are at least 20,000 undiagnosed cases of Haemochromatosis in Ireland.

Haemochromatosis is more common in Ireland than anywhere else in the world, as one in five people carry one copy of the gene and one in every 83 Irish people carry two copies of the gene, predisposing them to develop iron overload.

This year, for World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week, 1st – 7th June 2021, the IHA aims to raise awareness of the condition and its symptoms in order to save lives. Several City and County Councils are supporting the campaign to ‘light up red’ several iconic public buildings during World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week, including Dublin’s Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s residence in Dublin, the Dublin Convention Centre, Fingal Town Hall, Cork City Hall, the Merchant Quay Civic Building and public bridges in Limerick.  

Commenting on the awareness drive for World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week, Dr Maurice Manning, Chair of the Irish Haemochromatosis Association and who himself has Haemochromatosis says, “Ireland has more cases than anywhere else in the world and we want everyone to understand what Haemochromatosis is and how important early diagnosis is.  Although we remain in a pandemic, it is important that people don’t ignore worrying symptoms, that they talk to their GP and arrange a blood test.

Though life-threatening, once diagnosed before organ damage has occurred, Haemochromatosis can be successfully treated and patients go on to live their lives to the full, without any impact.”

Professor Suzanne Norris, Consultant in Hepatology and Gastroenterology at St. James’s Hospital says, “Ill-health from Haemochromatosis and the development of serious complications such as cirrhosis can be prevented by simple treatment and life expectancy in treated non-cirrhotic patients is normal. Early diagnosis is therefore critical.”

Dr John Ryan, Consultant in Hepatology and Gastroenterology at Beaumont Hospital, comments, “‘Ireland has the highest rates of Haemochromatosis in the world. Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition, where the body cannot switch off iron absorption and iron build up leads to life-threatening organ damage. If picked up early enough it is entirely treatable, and individuals may also donate blood through the Irish Blood Transfusion clinics, which is then put to good use.”

The public can support the work of the Irish Haemochromatosis Association and its Helpline, by donating via the Text to Donate service, Text ‘IRON’ to 50300 or by making a donation on the charity’s website: www.haemochromatosis.ie