Raynaud's Awareness Month 2023

Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is asking people with Raynaud’s across the UK to ‘go public’ and share their stories throughout February, Raynaud’s Awareness Month. 

We want to raise awareness of the condition and the potentially devastating impact the UK’s cost of living crisis is having on those living with it.  

As part of this, we are encouraging our supporters to write to their MP to put pressure on the government to find a solution and protect the health of millions of people with Raynaud’s. 

Staying warm when you have Raynaud’s 

This winter has been particularly difficult for people with Raynaud’s. Cold temperatures and stress trigger painful attacks that can make simple everyday tasks almost impossible. 

In more severe cases, they can affect a person’s independence – things like cooking, washing utensils, bathing, walking and driving can become much more difficult. 

One of the best ways to prevent Raynaud’s attacks is to keep your body warm, but we know that many are struggling to do this because of high energy prices. It is jeopardising their health and wellbeing.  

An SRUK survey in October last year found that some are even choosing to buy less food to prioritise their energy bills. 

Share your stories to help drive action! 

This month, we’re asking people with Raynaud’s, and their friends and loved ones, to write to their MP to raise awareness of the issue and ask them to back our call to keep heating affordable. 

Ahead of the Budget announcement in March, we are asking government to consider:  

• extending the Energy Price Guarantee for vulnerable groups, to include people with Raynaud’s  
• committing a proportion of money raised by the Energy Profits Levy to provide financial assistance to those with conditions like Raynaud’s whose health depends on affordable heating 
• including Raynaud’s as a criterion for the annual Warm Homes Discount.