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MERSEY LIFE TALK TO THE PAIN RELIEF FOUNDATION
The Pain Relief Foundation , established in 1979 , is a Registered Charity with the aims & objectives of conducting research and education on chronic pain , and its work serves to benefit chronic pain sufferers both locally and nationally . Mersey Life spoke to Jo Stephens , fundraiser to find out more about the charity .
How are you funded ? The Pain Relief Foundation does not receive any funding from central or local government , the health service or other official body . Instead , the Foundation depends entirely on donations , gift aid , legacies , appeals and contributions from supportive members of the public such as you our readers , from generous companies and from several trusts , for which we are truly grateful . Additionally , we seek to secure grants from trusts and the commercial sector to fund specific research projects .
How many people suffer with chronic pain ? Chronic pain affects more than two fifths of the UK population , meaning that around 28 million adults are living with pain that has lasted for three months or longer . 43 % of the population experience chronic pain , with up to 14.3 % living with chronic pain that is either moderately or severely disabling . Pain is numerically the biggest human problem on the planet although we are all familiar with aches and pains 14.3 % of the UK population alone have daily excruciating pain known as chronic pain that is often poorly treated and this can wreck lives .
What is chronic pain ? Pain is one of the most frequent causes for patients to seek medical care . Chronic or persistent pain is pain that carries on for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment . Chronic pain may be " on " and " off " or continuous . It may affect people to the point that they can ' t work , eat properly , take part in physical activity , or enjoy everyday life . Chronic pain is a major source of suffering . It interferes with daily functioning and often is accompanied by distress . When you hurt day after day , it can take a toll on your emotional and physical health .
What are considered as Chronic pain conditions ? Arthritis and other joint problems , Back pain , Headaches , Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome ( CRPS ), Fibromyalgia , Nerve damage , Pelvic pain , Cancer , Phantom limb pain , Diabetic neuropathy , Facial pain , Neuropathic pain , Post stroke pain and Migraine .
Who do you support ? The chronic pain community , the millions of people who suffer daily from chronic pain by investing our funds into research and education . We invest our funds into world leading researchers in the field of chronic pain , Dr Goebel ( Reader in Pain Medicine , University of Liverpool , Honorary Consultant in Pain Medicine , Walton Centre NHS ) and Dr Marshall ( Consultant Clinical Neurophysiologist , Walton Centre NHS , Honorary Lecturer , Liverpool John Moores University ) to conduct life changing research . We provide health professionals who specialise in chronic pain with up to date and relevant educational courses .
How can our readers help you ? VOLUNTEER
As a small charity there is a limited level of direct fundraising activity organised and conducted by the Foundation ’ s own staff , supported by a small group of volunteers , an area in which we would like to grow our support . A corporate partnership is always welcomed it is a great way to meet your company ’ s corporate social responsibility needs as well as engaging and uniting your staff behind a worthwhile cause ! If you would like to be involved in supporting the foundation , please contact our fundraiser : Jo Stephens - jo . stephens @ painrelieffoundation . org . uk or telephone 0151 529 5820 . We need volunteers to help us to make the biggest possible impact . If you would like to give some of your time and support to help the charity , please contact us .
LEGACY
Leave A Gift in Your Will . Leaving a legacy is not only an incredibly generous gesture and a special way to support the Foundation , but it also means that you will have a lasting impact on The Pain Relief Foundation long into the future .
DONATE
Your donation will make a real difference to help find new treatments for chronic pain now and for future generations .
Freedom of the City was awarded to the charity in March 2010 , in recognition to its pioneering & ground-breaking research projects , highly reputable educational programmes & training facilities . The centre has a reputation for excellence in human chronic pain , supporting one of the largest pain relief clinics in Europe , profiling Liverpool at the forefront of patient treatment .
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