Local MP for Erewash, Maggie Throup is helping to raise awareness of the terminal lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) during IPF Week this year (17 – 25 September 2016), the theme of which is #KnowIPF.
IPF is a lung disease that causes progressive scarring of the lungs making it increasingly difficult for a person to breathe. The condition has no known cause, no cure, and average life expectancy after diagnosis is just three years. Though it’s relatively unheard of and severely underfunded in research, in 2012 around 700 people were diagnosed with IPF in the East Midlands, and 2,500 people in the region were living with it.1,2
Maggie joins many others around the country this week in calling for more awareness and funding for IPF research. Activists and support groups are sharing stories and photos on social media, holding awareness stands, and taking part in fundraising challenges. Anyone can join them by following the week on Twitter with the #KnowIPF hashtag, or by texting ‘IPF’ to 70500 to donate £5 towards helping the BLF fight the growing impact of IPF on people’s lives.
Maggie Throup MP said: “I know first-hand just how devastating IPF is and sadly takes around 5,300 lives every year. Despite this, most people have never heard of it, and it receives very little research funds for the harm it inflicts.
“I’m supporting the British Lung Foundation’s call to change this during IPF Week, and hope people will join me. It would be amazing if those living with this terminal condition could see support from the whole community this week, and know that awareness and funds for research is increasing.”
Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive for the British Lung Foundation said: “We’re incredibly pleased to see Maggie raising awareness of IPF. It’s a tragedy that in these times of medical advance, we have no idea what causes, or how to stop a condition that affects over 32,500 people.
“We know that outpourings of support and donations towards research has led to real progress being made in other deadly diseases. Everyone can do something special this week, and send a tweet, tell a friend or donate £1 to help the fight against IPF.”
The BLF are also urging people not to ignore its main symptom of IPF - breathlessness. If you get out of breath doing everyday things, take our online breath test to see if you could need medical attention.