The second outreach Aspergillosis Patients Support meeting to be held outside of Manchester. This is the introductory talk for the meeting given by Graham Atherton

1. Second outreach meeting, London Led by Graham Atherton Supported by Georgina Powell, Marie Kirwan & Debbie Kennedy NAC Centre Manager Chris Harris Talks given by Philip Langridge & David Denning National aspergillosis centre UHSM Manchester Support Meeting for Aspergillosis Patients Fungal Research Trust

2. Programme 2pm Graham Atherton: Welcome & Introduction 2.10 Phil Langridge: Active breathing techniques & exercise, benefits to patients (Physiotherapy) 2.45 Break: Tea & Coffee – your opportunity to chat with fellow patients and staff members 3.15 David Denning: ABPA & SAFS 4.00 Graham Atherton: Close

3. What is this meeting for? For you to socialise with fellow patients For you to receive support from NAC staff We are here to answer your questions, feel free to approach any one of us We are here to listen about what we can do better We can use these meeting to assess our service, to ask for more help with research We occasionally feedback results of the research already in progress Fundraising for research (Fungal Research Trust)

4. What can you do for us? Feedback comments & suggestions on what we already do. What isn’t working? What is working? What do you need to know more about? How can we improve? What more can we do? Help us with fundraising The Fungal Research Trust

5. New Fungal Research Trust website

6. New FRT fundraising campaign To fund a Postdoctoral scientist who will carry out work to increase our understanding of fungal diseases 1. Why Aspergillus causes disease, especially slowly progressive disease such as ABPA, bronchiectasis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and/or lung scarring. 2. What are protective factors for fungal infection? Why do some people with the same risk factors not get colonised or infected? 3. Why do fungi become resistant to antifungal drugs? Target £150 000 which will fund research for 3 years

7. Raising the money Lewis Fraser Himalayan run (100 miles) in memory of Steph Smith. Target £10 000 Gem’s little Gems. Target £10 000 this year Christmas raffle 2010 raised £1500 A patient raised £250 last year making and selling greetings cards 2010 raised approx £13 000 Can you help? Your ideas & time will be the lifeblood of this challenge Sign up for our newsletter http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/newpatients/donations.php

8. Current ideas Campaign ribbons – cost us 75p each, donate what you can Cook book FUNGUIDE patient’s cookery book Combining your recipes with ‘good news’ about fungi, how useful they can be Any of your recipes including the use of any of the following: Mushrooms, soy sauce, Quorn, Marmite, Stilton, Brie, camembert and so on

9. Involving you in our work The Fungal Research Trust have appointed a new trustee who is a patient Derek Stewart is to put forward the patients’ point of view to the board on a regular basis, eg with regard to research interests Elisabeth Kershaw is working on behalf of patients by assisting with the formulation of future research proposals

10. Thank You “The best chance we have of beating this illness is to work together” Living with it, Working with it, Treating it Fungal Research Trust

11. Programme 2pm Graham Atherton: Welcome & Introduction 2.10 Phil Langridge: Active breathing techniques & exercise, benefits to patients (Physiotherapy) 2.45 Break: Tea & Coffee – your opportunity to chat with fellow patients and staff members 3.15 David Denning: ABPA & SAFS 4.00 Graham Atherton: Close