Cauda Equina Champions Charity (CECC) is pleased to announce Duncan James, member of British boyband ‘Blue’, actor and theatre star, as the first ever appointed charity ambassador.
A couple of years ago, Duncan James spoke openly to the media about his terrifying health condition that almost left him in a wheelchair. This condition is called Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).
Did you know that you have just 24 hours to be diagnosed and treated for CES?
Did you know that there are several red flags to look out for to help you spot symptoms within those 24 hours?
Did you know that if you go undiagnosed and untreated for more than 24 hours, your chance of paralysis is higher?
Duncan James commented: “When CECC first contacted me about being a charity ambassador, I knew instantly that it was something I wanted to be a part of. I first spoke to the Founder of the charity, Claire Thornber and simply talking to someone else who had been through the same symptoms helped me feel supported, understood and connected. The mission is close to my heart, especially after my own personal experiences with Cauda Equina Syndrome, and I want to ensure that the awareness is out there, and people get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
“I was rushed into hospital twice for emergency operations. If I wasn’t diagnosed in time, then Doctors told me I could have spent the rest of my life in a wheelchair – or died. What a lot of people don’t initially notice are the red flag symptoms, and that’s why I’ve joined the mission at Cauda Equina Champions Charity to ensure that we can build more awareness, save more lives and ensure people have a support group that they can turn to.”
CECC is a patient led charity, striving to raise awareness of CES and support people living with the condition. The new charity was founded in January this year. Initially by Founder and CES sufferer Claire Thornber, following the devastating and permanent neurological damage following a prolapsed disc in her lower back. Claire set up a Facebook support group in 2012, which quickly gained 30 members. It developed into the Cauda Equina Syndrome Association and today has over 2,300 members from across the globe.
Claire Thornber, Founder of CESA and the new charity added: “We are launching this national awareness day on the 1st October 2020 to help everyone spot the signs with ease and confidence. So many people with CES are turned away, or misdiagnosed, but raising awareness of the first signs is absolutely crucial, especially amongst healthcare practitioners and anyone suffering from acute lower back pain and sciatica.
We are so pleased to have Duncan James on board our mission. He is incredibly kind, caring and has always spoken so honestly about his own personal experiences, and with his support moving forward, we hope to give more hope to our members, shine a light on the red flag symptoms and help people get diagnosed quickly.”
Find out more about CES by visiting https://www.ihavecaudaequina.com/ or follow our social media campaign #notjustabadback on any of the below channels. More news on the national awareness day on October 1 2020 to follow.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/caudaequinacesa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caudaequinachampions/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caudaequinacesa/
Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/caudaequinacesa/?source_id=106190527703444
