aHUS Awareness Day 2024 will focus on mental health

This year’s aHUS Awareness Day, Sept. 24, will highlight mental health issues important to people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and their families.

The annual event is being organized by the aHUS Alliance, an international umbrella organization that comprises patient groups and aHUS advocates to support patients, advance research, and raise awareness.

Sept. 24 marks the 10th anniversary of the campaign. “Since that first international ‘aHUS Day’, the aHUS Alliance Global Action team has continued to lead this annual 24 September awareness campaign by raising issues, promoting efforts, and creating resources for aHUS families and the general public,” the organization says on the event webpage.

Recommended Reading

April 18, 2024 by Shalana Jordan

Coping with mental health issues while managing a chronic illness

Personal accounts will mark the day

Patients and families facing an aHUS diagnosis are challenged not only by the disease’s physical issues, but by mental aspects as well, the alliance said. “Dealing with atypical HUS is stressful, but few understand that once an aHUS episode occurs it’s something that continues to affect patients and their families,” the group said.

The organization is inviting the global aHUS community to participate in a video/slideshow project focusing on mental health and wellness, sharing information on issues including anxiety, depression, and social or economic stressors and answering the question, “Has aHUS affected my mental health?” in 40 or fewer words. Submissions are due by Sept. 17.

“Once again, the aHUS Alliance is inviting our global aHUS family to come together to celebrate our special day by participating in a video project,” said project leader Jeff Schmidt, who is a caregiver for a daughter with aHUS. “We are inviting both patients and caregivers to participate, as mental health is an issue for all of us.”

The organization has available a variety of images, fact sheets, and other resources about aHUS awareness. There’s also an X account for event activities.