(June 2008)

The Pituitary Foundation is pleased to announce we will be holding our first ever conference in Wales on 25th October 2008 at the Quality Hotel in Cardiff. 

This will be a one-day event with expert presentations and plenty of time scheduled in to chat with others.  The day starts at 10:00 with a meet and greet, coffee and tea and will end at 5:00.  We have a very exciting programme planned including meeting the Endocrine Team of University Hospital Wales, lead by Prof. Maurice Scanlon, and talks on Pituitary and Your Weight by Dr. Jonathan Pinkney and Pituitary and Nutrition by Ms. Emma Stiles.

To see a copy of the programme:   Programme.pdf (133.63 KB)

The day will include refreshments and lunch at a lovely hotel just off the M4.  There is plenty of parking and it is easy to find!  Registration fees are £10 for the day (£30 if you can afford that bit extra).

We are taking registrations now, so if you would like to attend, download our registration form:   Registration Form.pdf (147.14 KB)

Print out the form, complete it and post it, with your cheque, to:

The Pituitary Foundation, FAO: Wales Pituitary Conference, PO Box 1944, Bristol, BS99 2UB. 

Please make cheques payable to: The Pituitary Foundation.

It would assist us with administration if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your completed form in order that we can swiftly send you confirmation of your registration.  

We would like to thank Awards for All Wales and the Cardiff Pituitary Support Group for their assistance with this conference!

Pituitary Awareness Week
21^st – 27^th September 2008

The Pituitary Foundation will be holding Pituitary Awareness Week the 21^st – 27^th September 2008.  We will be raising awareness on pituitary conditions on the whole, however, we will again be focussing on the alarming issue of lack of education for patients and medical professionals around the use of Hydrocortisone in urgent situations and during medical procedures and illness.

Recruiting case studies now!  Go to:  Media Callout to learn more.

We will be unveiling plans as they take shape.  Be certain to keep in touch on this page to see what you can do to raise awareness. 

Pituitary Awareness Week will be culminating in our 2^nd Annual Strawberry Line walk on the 27^th of September.

Join the walk today!  Download a Registration Form:   Registration Form 08.pdf (227.43 KB)

Easy, just download the Registration form, complete it and post or fax it to us...be sure to read both sides and keep a copy for yourself!

Click here to see A Map of the Strawberry Line.

Please note:  The trail of the Strawberry Line goes through the town of Sandford.  We ask that our walkers respect those in Sandford and not join the Line there as this is a small town with limited facilities for locals and patrons of local businesses.  Please do not park your car there and only use the local facilities if you patronise the businesses.  Thank you!

Can't participate?  Help us by sponsoring our walkers, go to:  http://www.justgiving.com/strawberryline08 or send a cheque to The Pituitary Foundation, FAO: Strawberry Line, PO Box 1944, Bristol, BS99 2UB.

We are hoping to recruit as many walkers as we can to raise funds for the work of The Foundation as well as raise awareness.

The Strawberry Line is from Yatton to Cheddar (11 miles).  If you don’t feel you’re up to this kind of trek, there are plenty of places to join along the way, even a mile away from ‘the finish line’.  Download a registration form above to learn more about the Walk and where you can join it.

Or, another way to help is, we’ll need volunteers for the day, in different capacities.

If you would like to walk the Strawberry Line with us and raise funds and make a big awareness impact, or you’d like to help us by volunteering, please email: helpline@pituitary.org.uk to learn more.

Would you like to know what's happening in Cardiff?  Click here to download their Local Support Group's Spring/Summer Newsletter:   Cardiff Newsletter Spring 2008.pdf (321.92 KB)

Sheffield Local Support Group

Barrie and Margaret, the area co-ordinators for the group, will be holding a fundraising all day tea party on th 17th August from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm in their home.  Barrie and Margaret will be serving cakes and savouries and there will also be a raffle.  They invite anyone in the Sheffield area to come, they'd love to see you if you can make it! 

For more information or to get the contact details to let Barrie and Margaret know you are coming, please email helpline@pituitary.org.uk.

Salisbury Local Support Group

On Saturday, 13th September, the Salisbury Local Support Group will be hosting a 'Mini Conference'.  This will be held at the Hamptworth Golf & Country Club and will run from noon to around 5:00/5:30 (with delegates invited to stay and chat afterward).  The conference will start with a ploughman-type lunch, then a question and answer session with endocrine professionals, ending with a an update on The Foundation from the Chairman of the Trustees and the Executive Director. 

There will be a raffle as well - so bring your lucky coins.  This mini-conference will cost £10 per person.  There is limited availability so if you wish to attend, please contact the volunteer area co-ordinator, Annie at bush@stevanne9@fsnet.co.uk

ALSO!  Annie, Steve and Katy will be walking the Old Sarum Castle Moat on 21st September as an awareness and fundraiser for The Pituitary Foundation.  The local group felt that maybe the Strawberry Line Walk in Somerset was a bit too far away but they wanted to do their part.  Annie's already raised over £500!!!!  They welcome anyone to join them (they're having lunch at the Old Castle Inn) and Annie's created sponsorship forms for you to use.  Again, just email Annie at bush@stevanne9@fsnet.co.uk if you want to help!

Volunteering Opportunities

When we’re making a meaningful contribution to the world, even in a tiny way, our overall levels of happiness and self esteem grow, particularly if we’re volunteering in an area that is really significant to ourselves.

If you would like to share some of your skills to help others people living with pituitary disorders, including patients, families, carers and friends, we have a variety of roles available within our Local Support Groups.  Whatever your skill, it is likely that we can find a role for you.  It may be that you are an excellent speaker, a whiz with figures, or your record keeping may be ‘second to none’.  You may have good IT skills or you may enjoy writing and are eager to compile a newsletter full of news, hints and tips. Maybe you are warm and friendly when meeting new people or are interested in fundraising ideas.  Please don’t hesitate, contact your local group via The Pituitary Foundation.

For those of you who relish a real challenge, we have some groups where Area Co-ordinators are required. This may be taken on alone or as a shared role. The role is a challenging one but can be immensely enjoyable. You would receive plenty of help from fellow Area Co-ordinators and from The Pituitary Foundation.

Areas currently in need of an Area Co-ordinator are:  Norfolk, Swansea, Cornwall, and Northamptonshire.

Please email helpline@pituitary.org.uk if you'd like to help!

And to see if there is a group near you,

visit our Local Support Group page.