National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day is today, Monday, 7th October 2024. I’m writing to share updates and invite you to participate in key events that are essential in raising awareness and providing support for those affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN).
National Webinar – Monday, 7th October
We are marking today, Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, with our National Webinar, which will feature Mr Jonathan Hyam, a consultant brain and spinal neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, London.
Mr Hyam is a Gamma Knife practitioner, and one of the consultants within the National Facial Pain Service. He is a past President of the Royal Society of Medicine’s Clinical Neuroscience Section and Arris & Gale Lecturer to the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has conducted research on various techniques to improve treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, working in both London and Oxford. This evening, his presentation will focus on Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, specifically:
- Understanding what Gamma Knife radiosurgery
- Appreciating when Gamma Knife can be helpful for facial pain.
- Recognising what other diagnoses can benefit from Gamma Knife treatment.
Log in at 7:00 PM to watch a short film on the experience of living with TN before the webinar with Mr Hyam begins at 7:15 PM. This film, which will be one of the welcome slides, highlights the isolation and impact TN can have while showing how TNA UK supports those suffering from this invisible yet debilitating condition.
If you have any specific questions for Mr Hyam, please submit them in advance to [email protected]
To join the webinar, please click here
How to Get Involved: Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
We are encouraging everyone to join our #TalkShareMakeOthersAware campaign. You can get involved by:
- Taking a photo or video holding up three fingersto show support for TN awareness.
- Sharing it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #TalkShareMakeOthersAware, #FaceOfTN, and #ShowTN3Fingers.
- Encouraging others to share it on your behalf.
- Challenging others with, “Are you brave enough to Show TN 3 Fingers
You can watch our #ShowTN3Fingers and #FaceOfTN videos via the following links
- Show TN 3 Fingers
- TN Awareness makeup
This easy action can help raise awareness for those enduring one of the most painful conditions known to medicine.
Trigeminal Neuralgia awareness video
We’re excited to share a video that has been produced by Eliot Carroll (www.tinderflint.tv) to highlight the impact of TN on sufferers and the isolation and suffering that so many of our members report. I’m featured on the video using the words that you have shared with me. We will be playing this video as part of the welcome slides at 7pm, or you can watch it here https://f.io/y1r3WI-z Please remember that there is always help available if you have been affected by anything in the video.
Support for you
At TNA UK, we strive to reduce the isolation faced by those living with TN by providing practical and emotional support, not only to sufferers but also to their carers, friends, and families.
Our services include:
- The Helplines(0800 999 1899 and [email protected]), where sufferers can talk to someone who understands their condition.
- Regional Support Meetings, which offer an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences.
- The Friendship Line (0800 999 1899), for those feeling isolated and in need of someone to talk to.
These services are available to everyone affected by TN, whether directly or as part of the wider support network. By fostering understanding and sharing experiences, we can help raise awareness and build a stronger, more supportive community.
Donate an annual membership
If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating an annual membership to someone with TN who’s suffering from financial hardship and can’t afford it themselves. Thank you.
Headache Disorder Conference
We were delighted to have a presence at this conference in London over last weekend. We had a stand where we were raising awareness of TN and TNA UK and gave out flyers and lots of information to healthcare professionals about what we do.
Upcoming Regional Support Meetings
- 9th October, 7:30 PM– Hertfordshire and Essex (Zoom) Contact: Samantha Woodrow ([email protected])
- 14th October, 7:30 PM– London (Zoom) Contact: Nadine Fronek ([email protected])
- 5th November– Norfolk (in person) Contact: Wayne Nolan ([email protected])
- 12th November, 7:00 PM– Merseyside, Betsi, and Powys (Zoom) Contact: Helen Clayton ([email protected])
- 26th November, 7:00 PM– Cheshire (Zoom) Contact: Helen Clayton ([email protected])
- 7th December, 3:00 PM– Nottingham (Zoom) Contact: John Vanhegan ([email protected])
- 10th December, 7:00 PM– East Scotland (Zoom) Contact: Catriona McArdle ([email protected]) or Rachael Forsyth ([email protected])
Details of these and other events are available in the Diary of Events on our website https://www.tna.org.uk/diary-of-events/
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to raise awareness and provide the necessary resources for everyone affected by this challenging condition.
With warm regards,
Aneeta Prem MBE
CEO, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK