SpaMedica, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of NHS eye care services, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Macular Society, set to launch this month.
The collaboration will help to fund ground-breaking research and vital support services for patients who have been diagnosed with macular disease, including conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is currently the leading cause of sight loss in the UK.
To kick things off, SpaMedica’s employees are aiming to raise an impressive £5,000 for the charity – and SpaMedica’s Board of Directors has pledged to match their donations, doubling their impact.
Tom Fellows, SpaMedica’s Head of Policy and Value Proposition will be leading by example by taking part in two 10k runs to support the organisation’s fundraising efforts - one in his hometown of Wolverhampton, and one in Bolton, where SpaMedica’s Head Office is based.
“The Macular Society is a charity that’s close to many of our hearts,” he explains. “SpaMedica currently treats thousands of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration across our nationwide network of hospitals, so we have seen firsthand the impact the condition can have on people’s lives, and the benefits of early intervention. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with the Macular Society to make eye services more accessible and effective for patients with macular disease, and why we’re committed to expanding our macular service to support as many patients as possible.”
“From a personal perspective, I will be embarking on my fundraising challenge at the home ground of my local team, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and SpaMedica’s head office local team, Bolton Wanderers FC, because our fathers and grandfathers who saw the football stars of the fifties and sixties are now in the high-risk category for developing macular disease. I want to do what I can to ensure those who saw Nat Lofthouse and Billy Wright play are not denied their opportunity to see Aaron Collins and Matheus Cunha play.”
Approximately 40,000 patients will be diagnosed with neovascular AMD each year, and seeing these patients quickly is key, as rapid access to treatment can help to stop or slow down the progression of the degenerative condition. Like many eye diseases, the predicted increase in cases over the next few years is a huge challenge for ophthalmology. Neovascular AMD cases rose 29% in the last ten years alone.
"It's great to see organisations like SpaMedica fundraising to support the Macular Society,” said Dr Peter Bloomfield, the Macular Society’s Director of Services. “Our mission is to help people with macular disease live full and independent lives while funding vital research to find a cure. Patient outcomes are at the heart of everything we do, and we welcome any initiatives that prioritise the needs of those living with this condition. We’re excited to see the creative ways the team will be raising funds this year.”
Future plans for the partnership include inviting representatives from the Macular Society to attend SpaMedica’s hospitals and collaborate on improving local support services, enabling employees to signpost patients to relevant resources.
