PEM Friends
PEM Friends completed a very successful advocacy GlobalSkin Impact Fund Project. PEM Friends' main objective of their awareness campaign was to reach out to as many pemphigus and pemphigoid patients as possible. They did so by re-developing their website, ensuring that all information regarding the disease, effects of COVID-19, lockdown, and the vaccine program in their community (the UK) were up to date and accurate.
To increase traffic to their website, they used advertising and collaborated with members of PEM Friends to wear badges and distribute leaflets as they attend their consultations.
The impact of these awareness activities was evident in the number of patients joining the PEM Friends closed Facebook Support Group, or contacting them via their newly updated website. All individuals are then invited to regular weekly Zoom meetings to counteract pandemic isolation, providing peer support, and attending webinar presentations by important doctors, Professors Setterfield, Dart, and Dr. McMillan, in the field of pemphigus or pemphigoid.
Through the increase of members in the group, and receiving several grants, including the Impact Fund, PEM Friends has been able to build credibility with medical professionals. This has led to the organization becoming co-applicants in 3 major research studies.
Isobel Davies, of PEM Friends, says that with the support of the GlobalSkin Impact Fund the feedback from their members regarding their programming has been incredibly positive. “Everyone says that they are a part of a PEM Family”.
To learn more about this organization visit their website: https://www.pemfriendsuk.co.uk
And follow them on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/PEMFriends
Check out their newsletter here.
