25 years of PSC Support
This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of supporting people affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare immune-mediated liver disease.
PSC Support first began in 1995 and was set up by Deborah Martin whose husband tragically passed away from PSC. Because there was no support available for people with PSC at that time, she set up the group with help from Dr Roger Chapman, with the key purpose of finding help in each other. The very first issue of 'PSC News' was issued in April 1995.
We've come along way over the past 25 years but we have always existed to support people affected by PSC, raise awareness and work towards finding a cure.
"In this time, PSC Support has grown from a tiny support group into a respected and recognised charity across the world. Our website is now the definitive source of patient information for PSC and over 2,600 people in our busy Facebook group can find support 24/7. We run a PSC research grant programme, and our UK-PSC registry of over 2,000 patients is one of the largest in the world. It says UK patients are engaged and ready to help find a cure.
"But that's not all.
"Behind the scenes, we tirelessly fly the flag on behalf PSC patients, advocating for better health services and PSC-related research. PSC Support was the first patient organisation to highlight both the major emotional and physical burden that PSC brings. Right now, we're proud to be working with leading PSC experts to develop care management guidelines for PSC, bile duct cancer and liver transplantation, and we're working on clinical trial protocols for possible new drugs to treat PSC.
"While PSC Support has adapted and grown, our vision is the same: to see a world without PSC. PSC remains the most difficult liver disease to manage despite solid research progress. There is still no cure or treatment for PSC and we urgently need one.
"PSC Support has never been more needed.
"Please get involved with 'Plank for PSC' and donate if you can afford it. Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. Thank you."
Martine Walmsley, PSC Support Chair of Trustees
To celebrate our 25th birthday, we're asking you to help us raise £25,000 for PSC Support research by taking part in the 'Plank for PSC' challenge!