Name Change

Dear Members, Angioma Alliance UK has been established for just over three years. We have about 150 members (pathetic really as the condition affects so many people), and, contingent upon funding, we have now secured a date for what is rapidly becoming an annual event - the third International Forum of Angioma Alliance UK, to be held on the first [since changed to second] Saturday in June, 2009. The venue, which worked so well this year, will be used again for our 2009 Forum, the Grange Holborn Hotel. And so "save the date." (Hopefully, we will fill the Orion Suite next year.) Quite some time ago, I remember speaking with our Medical Adviser, Mr. Kitchen, who believes that we should have the charity's name more accurately reflect the medical terminology for the condition in the UK. (I do not want to see Angioma Alliance UK have to adjust its name mid-stream as it were. [It cost £250,000 for the Spastics Society to change their name to SCOPE.])

So the Board of Angioma Alliance UK have unanimously agreed the name Cavernoma Alliance UK. ("Cavernoma" being the more "commonly-held" medical term; "Alliance" a link with Angioma Alliance in the USA; and "UK" for two main reasons. 1. The Board agreed last year that, due to the number of memberships from abroad, overseas members be admitted to join as "associate members" still having all the "rights and privileges of full membership." So our new name shows that the charity is UK-based and, therefore, dealing, primarily, with UK issues. 2. Cavernoma Alliance UK opens the way for other European countries to establish a charity. (For example, Cavernoma Alliance Italy or Cavernoma Alliance France.)

Paul Oldham, Angioma Alliance UK's webmaster, to whom I remain indebted, has requested that if a member is, or knows of, a graphic designer who would donate their time, to assist him, that would be appreciated. (Contact Paul care of ). Paul also posted the news on the website this week that the BMA have provided us with £750 for information sheets. This donation is perfect timing as only a few sheets remain and re-printing at this time will allow us to have our new name on the information sheets. The sheets are being re-drafted by Dr. Rustam Al-Shahi Salman, from Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, whom many of you may remember from our first conference. Dr. Al-Shahi Salman is preparing two leaflets: one for asymptomatic patients and one information sheet for symptomatic patients.

Please send me your thoughts on the name-change by the end of August, 2008.

Ian
Co-ordinator
Angioma Alliance UK

ps Subject to Board Approval and on funding, be prepared for Angioma Alliance UK "hubs" to be coming to a city near you!