Monday 20^th May 2024 DEBRA UK is delighted to be an official sponsor of the Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which starts on Tuesday 21st May and runs until Saturday 25th May in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.

The sanctuary garden designed by Helen Olney, tells the story of a global dermatological partnership, the Burma Skincare Initiative, which was set up by Dr Su Lwin and DEBRA independent advisor Professor Chris Griffiths OBE, and supports Burmese healthcare workers treating adults and children with terrible skin conditions.

As the national charity and patient support organisation for people living with a group of incredibly painful and debilitating skin blistering conditions (epidermolysis bullosa/EB), we understand the need for partnership working to help improve quality of life for people in pain because of their skin.

We provide a range of EB community support and work together in partnership with the NHS to offer an enhanced EB service for people living with all types of EB in the UK, which includes part-funding of some healthcare professionals working within the EB healthcare centres of excellence, specialist equipment and grants to assist with travel to appointments. We also partner with world-class scientists and clinicians and national and international partners from academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and other organisations with a shared interest in EB and other skin conditions. Only by working together will we be able to stop the pain of EB.

Commenting on the sponsorship of the garden, Claire Mather, DEBRA UK Director of Member Services said:

“Through our sponsorship of the Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden we wish to show solidarity with people around the world who are living with a debilitating skin condition, and support to our colleagues who are actively striving for improved quality of life, better treatments, and ultimately cures.

“We hope that through our involvement with the garden more people will learn about EB and of the need for continued collaboration if we are to achieve our mission of a world where no one suffers with EB”.

If you’re planning to attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, please do drop by to explore this beautiful sanctuary garden and learn a bit more about the Burma Skincare Initiative and the important work that they do to advance dermatology education and support the people of Myanmar who are living with skin conditions including EB.

For more information about the Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden, please visit:rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/Gardens/2024/burma-skincare-initiative-spirit-partnership

For more information about the Burma Skin Initiative, please visit:burmaskincare.org

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About EB

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare and incredibly painful genetic skin blistering condition affecting an estimated 5,000 people in the UK and 500,000 globally. EB causes the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. With skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wing it is often referred to as ‘butterfly skin’. EB can affect the hands and feet only or in the most severe cases any part of the body, including blistering on the eyes and internal organs. People living with EB live in constant debilitating pain. EB is currently incurable and in severe cases it can be fatal.

About DEBRA UK

DEBRA UK is the national charity and patient support organisation for people living with or directly affected by EB. DEBRA UK does not receive statutory funding and relies on the income generated by its charity shops and fundraising activities to provide care and support for people living with EB, and to fund pioneering research to find effective treatments and ultimately cures for EB.

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