Sickle Cell and Thalassemia, 2006
Sickle Cell and Thalassemia is a genetically inherited blood
disorder, which has a high incidence among certain minority
ethnic groups, in particular, West Africans (1 in 4 people),
African-Caribbean's (1 in 10), Greeks (1 in 10) and Asians (1
in 50). Despite the extent of the disease, the NHS Prescriptions
Authority does not deem the condition eligible for free prescriptions.
As a result, sufferers - often young adults who cannot afford
the cost of prescriptions - struggle to get treatment. Our joint
research with St Thomas' Hospital into patients admitted to
Accident and Emergency Services has revealed a high percentage
of young people going untreated due to their inability to purchase
medication. In order to address this problem and alleviate unnecessary
suffering, the Foundation is currently campaigning for the NHS
Prescriptions Authority to approve free prescriptions for Sickle
Cell and Thalassemia sufferers. In addition, we have provided
a grant to St Thomas' Hospital consultants to enable them to
issue free prescriptions to young people affected by this
disorder.
NHS UK Transplant - ‘Save a Life’
Campaign, 2004
EMF – in partnership with NHS UK Transplant – launched
the national ‘Save a Life Campaign’, aimed to help
meet the growing needs of minority ethnic patients waiting for
organ transplants and substantially increase the donor base
from the minority ethnic communities.
Evidence shows the prevalence of a high incidence of organ failure
within minority ethnic communities; with the reasons behind
it including factors as diverse as climate, diet and social
and economic status. The ‘Save a Life’ Campaign
was designed to increase awareness of organ donation amongst
minority ethnic communities and to dispel the myths that too
frequently prevent individuals from signing up to the Organ
Donor Register or agreeing to the use of the organs of their
deceased loved ones.
The Campaign was launched at a high profile reception hosted
by MPs Oona King and Pyara Khabra in the House of Commons, with
invited guests including celebrity supporters of the campaign.
As part of the dissemination process, EMF undertook a wide range
of seminars and related-events at community organisations across
the country, distributing information in a variety of languages.
London Energy and SWEB Energy - ‘Energy
Savers’ Campaign, 2004
In response to the persistent problem of ‘fuel poverty’,
which disproportionally affects minority ethnic and disadvantaged
groups; EMF – in partnership with London Energy and SWEB
Energy – launched the ‘Energy Savers’ Campaign
in 2004. Designed both to raise awareness of the problem and
help those experiencing its terrible consequences, the campaign
sought to distribute free low-energy light bulbs among the most
impoverished households in the country. On the whole, 28,000
light bulbs were given to families on low income
UK
Online - ‘Get Started’ Campaign, 2003
As part of the Government’s initiative to enable public
access to Internet technology, EMF undertook a range of initiatives
to encourage minority ethnic individuals to experience the benefits
of going online, including road shows at street markets across
the country, mobile internet buses providing free Internet beginner
sessions on board and free prize competitions to encourage people
of all ages to have fun while learning. In addition, user-friendly
Internet guides were distributed through the ethnic media. The
launch of the ‘Get Started’ campaign was coordinated
with Granada’s own ‘It’s for Life’ promotion
and saw EMF nominate a participant who received a laptop donated
by Intel and Packard Bell, UK Online campaign partners. The
laptop came with a BT Internet connection and was presented
on 13th May by Coronation Street actress Samia Ghadie at the
Emmerdale film set in Yorkshire.