(UPDATE:  July 2008)

Thank you to all who have come forward to help us with this media call out (and so many of you have come forward to share your stories!).

Currently, we are still trying to recruit stories for the following areas:

• Birmingham
• Cardiff
• Edinburgh
• Newcastle

Please read on to learn more about what we're doing and if you live in one of the above areas, we would be very grateful if you could tell your story. 

(Updated from April 2008)

Pituitary Awareness Week is the 21st - 27th of September. However, much of the work needs to get done now so we can explode on the scene in September!

To make the greatest impact, we need patients to tell their stories to the media.  

What we need: 

We need people to talk about their general pituitary experience. The key messages will be (but you do not have to have experienced all of these):

1) Lengthy time to diagnosis
2) Dealing with a long term condition
3) Looking 'healthy' but feeling unwell (lack of empathy)

Please know that if you volunteer to do this, you will be speaking with a consultant who will first talk with you to ascertain if your story has the highest impact. If chosen, there will be a case study drawn up and, closer to the date, your local media will be contacted to offer your story. National women's magazines will also be approached.

It is important to note: You must be willing to be interviewed by a journalist, have your name and story in the media (paper, magazine, radio) and be photographed. When considering this, think about your family, your neighbours, your employers - do people know you have a pituitary condition?  Are you happy that they will know? Also, as you will likely be in local media, people may recognise you when you are in the Spar. Lastly, remember, you will be telling at least one 'stranger' your story, and then thousands. We want you to help, but we don't want you to experience anything upsetting in the process.

Think about it - you could change other's lives...but don't put your well-being in jeopardy to do it!

If you are willing - please email helpline@pituitary.org.uk with the subject title 'Awareness Campaign Media Call Out'.  Don't forget to give us your name, telephone number and where you live.

Thank you!