About Us
Aortic Dissection is a life-threatening condition involving a tear in the body's main artery, the Aorta. We are the national patient charity for Aortic Dissection in the UK & Ireland. Led by patients, for patients, we are a charitable organisation you can trust.
Our Beginnings: A story of Aortic Dissection survivors
Founded by a small group of Aortic Dissection survivors in 2016, Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland grew rapidly, becoming the national patient association in March 2018 and a registered charity in April 2022. We are the voice of Aortic Dissection patients and their families in the UK & Ireland. We also publish the definitive patient handbook to the condition: Aortic Dissection: The Patient Guide
Our Mission: Helping everyone affected by Aortic Dissection
- We empower and support patients & families, including bereaved families.
- We created and run the life-saving, global THINK AORTA campaign, which is improving diagnosis of Aortic Dissection - a condition that kills more people in the UK each year than road traffic accidents.
- We work with the NHS and leading professional societies to improve Aortic Dissection care and outcomes.
- We enable Aortic Dissection research, by partnering with researchers to deliver the science and innovations that will improve future care.
Our Model: Led by patients, for patients & their families
Our charity is run entirely by volunteers with lived experience of Aortic Dissection, backed by professional medical advisors and our wonderful Aortic Specialist Nurse, Emma Hope, who is available for any Aortic Dissection patient who wants to book a free online appointment to discuss their condition, questions and concerns.
Our Trustees are elected by our members and serve for a three-year term. Currently, five of our Trustees are patients, one is the relative of an Aortic Dissection survivor and one is a bereaved relative. With over 1,750 members across the UK & Ireland, we have an unmatched wealth of knowledge and lived experience of Aortic Dissection, which enables us to fulfil our mission and help everyone affected by this life-threatening condition.