Christmas Appeal
Cavernomas are clusters of abnormal blood vessels that form in the brain and spinal cord. A cavernoma can look a bit like a raspberry although that is where the similarity ends. As they form they press on the surrounding tissue to cause a range of symptoms from headaches to haemorrhages and seizures by way of slurred speech, double vision and tremors. It can affect all ages from the infant to the elderly. In some extreme cases it can even be fatal.
Unlike many other neurological conditions there is a degree of uncertainty as to how cavernoma can manifest itself. There is a large section of the population who will have 1 or more cavernoma and not realise it. These individuals can have a cavernoma present in their brain or spinal column for the whole of their life and not be aware of it at all. Shockingly this occurs in 1 in 600 of the population of the UK - and very few people have even heard of the condition.
The 1 in 400 000 that do have symptoms can spend the rest of their lives disabled or physically impaired. A cavernoma will cause symptoms when the `raspberry' bursts and it bleeds. Some growths can be removed surgically, and many have been removed successfully. But this depends on where the cavernoma is situated. Many are denied surgery due to the high possibility of it being fatal.
Cavernoma is a relatively "new" condition and has only been diagnosable due to the invention of the MRI scanner. Now the number of those affected is rising and the need for public awareness and support rises with them.
Cavernoma Alliance UK is a registered charity that was established in 2005 in order to provide free advice and support for those affected by the condition and their carers and families. Over the years many of our members have benefited from the hard work of this completely voluntary charity by anything from an answer to a query or the referral to medical specialists who can provide life-saving surgery.
"Free at the point of need" has always been the charity's philosophy and will remain so as long as possible.
But the charity has now reached a crisis point. Most of the grants that have been relied upon throughout this time have dried up leaving us in dire straits. CA UK's resources are rapidly dwindling. We have about twelve months life left in us. And so we ask you please, to help us in our Christmas Appeal which we are organising through JustGiving.
Please help us as much as you can this Christmas. Go to www.justgiving.com/cavernomaalliance/donate
Thank you.