CSRF goals for Cushing’s awareness month: Educate, fund vital research
Awareness Day will be observed globally on April 8
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April is Cushing’s Awareness Month, a global effort during which advocacy groups — such as the Cushing’s Support & Research Foundation (CSRF), launched in 1995 — healthcare professionals, and patients organize campaigns, share information, and take part in events to educate the public about the condition, caused by an excess production of the hormone cortisol.
The goal for this year, as it’s been for decades, is to increase awareness and raise funds for advancing research and treatment of Cushing’s, advocates say.
“Despite meaningful advances in technology, clinical care, and research, people continue to struggle for years without answers — but when they finally find and connect with a community of peers who understand, everything begins to change: isolation turns into support, confusion into clarity, and fear into empowerment. Together, we can help make those connections happen sooner and push projects forward,” the CSRF wrote in a Facebook post calling for donations for support and research.
As in previous years, Cushing’s Awareness Day will be observed on April 8, which marks the birthday of Harvey Cushing, MD, a neurosurgeon from Cleveland, Ohio, and the first clinicial to describe Cushing’s disease, the most common form of Cushing’s syndrome. Cushing’s disease is caused by a tumor growing in the brain’s pituitary gland.
Like other forms of Cushing’s syndrome, it arises from prolonged exposure to excess cortisol, a hormone that helps the body respond to stress. Excess cortisol can cause many symptoms, including rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Because these symptoms can resemble other health problems, this often leads to delayed diagnosis, with some patients waiting years before receiving proper treatment.
While the fundraising campaign runs during Cushing’s Awareness Month, donations of any amount will support patients and fund research, which can help in obtaining earlier diagnoses and better treatment year-round, the CSRF notes.
“Contributions help expand education, support, and research efforts for this often misunderstood and under-recognized diagnosis,” the Facebook post states.
The Pituitary Foundation is leading UKÂ awareness efforts
In the U.K., The Pituitary Foundation is also organizing events to increase awareness about Cushing’s syndrome. These include “Move Your Way: the Pituitary Challenge,” which asks community members to set a movement goal to complete throughout April. The challenge is free to join, and participants can do whatever type of movement they choose.
“Pituitary conditions can affect energy, mobility, mental health and everyday life. That’s why this challenge is about moving in a way that works for you. Whether you walk, cycle, row, stretch, or swim, you can help fund trusted information, specialist help, psychological support and vital services for people affected by pituitary conditions,” the foundation wrote on the initiative’s webpage.
Participants in the Move Your Way initiative can set up a fundraising webpage on JustGiving, choose The Pituitary Foundation as the cause, and add event details and a fundraising target. Pages can be personalized with movement goals, photos, and progress updates. There is no minimum sponsorship needed, the foundation noted.
On April 8, the nonprofit is organizing a free online session with Rob Murray, MD, a consultant endocrinologist at the Leeds Royal Infirmary and vice chair of The Pituitary Foundation’s medical committee, who will talk about Cushing’s syndrome and recent improvements to care. The session will run on Zoom and will be joined by members of the Cushing’s U.K. support group.
The foundation is also inviting people to run in the London Landmarks Half Marathon as part of #TeamPituitary. Leading up to the race, which will take place on April 12 in London, participants can also help fundraise to support the pituitary community.
