I was diagnosed with Addison's disease in 2017. I am passionate about raising money to both raise awareness and help support research into the treatment and management of the condition.

I found that gardening and being out in nature helped me to better manage my stress levels and helped to give me a positive mental and physical focus. So I am now combining my passion for horticulture with my passion for raising awareness for those of us with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency.

The Gardener's World Autumn Fair will be held at Audley End and I will be exhibiting a border design.  It's a 3m x 3m border entitled 'Tea Break' and in my brief I have alluded to the importance of taking time out to appreciate things such as the garden space and that it became particularly important to me upon my diagnosis with Addison's disease. At this event, from 1 - 3 September, I will be raising donations in aid of the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group.

Addison's disease and the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG)

Addison’s is a rare endocrine condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones and can be life-threatening. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people, meaning an estimated 300 - 350 new cases are diagnosed each year across the UK, this makes it roughly 300 times rarer than diabetes.

Life-long treatment with replacement steroid hormones is required. Medication is usually taken several times daily at carefully timed intervals and individuals must also know how to administer an emergency hydrocortisone injection to prevent a potentially fatal adrenal crisis.

At the ADSHG, we are here to support the Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency community and their healthcare providers to promote better medical understanding of this rare condition, campaign for and support everyone affected by adrenal failure, and fund vital research.

Do grab a cuppa and have a read about what the condition is, what we do, and how you can support people you know who have the condition if they become unwell.

• What is Adrenal Insufficiency?
• Living with Addison's
• Emergency support - adrenal crisis
• What we do
• Other ways you can support us
• Get in touch

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Another big thank you from everyone at the ADSHG.

Zoe Defoe