Today 600 people will be diagnosed with leprosy, more than 50 of these will be children.
Devastating impact
Over 7 million people are currently affected by leprosy across the world. Evidence shows over 3 million people are living with undiagnosed leprosy. Over 4 million people are living with a life-changing disability caused by leprosy. Although curable, many people are unable to access treatment, even though the cure is free. Lepra works to find, treat and rehabilitate these hidden people and promote their rights in India, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Discrimination
Due to misunderstanding, lack of information and incorrect beliefs, people affected by leprosy can experience severe discrimination and prejudice when they show symptoms, or when a diagnosis is confirmed. The consequences can be devastating; people are often shunned by their community or even their own family, they may lose their livelihoods and they can even experience thoughts of suicide. They are left to endure a lifetime of abuse, isolation and shame. During the difficult times of the Covid-19 crisis, so many of us in the UK can resonate with such feelings of isolation with social distancing measures we have experienced; though this has hopefully been a relatively short term restriction compared to that of a leprosy sufferer for whom isolation may last a lifetime.
Lives changed
The lives of many people have been changed thanks to the generosity of supporters like you. In the 97 years since our founding we have helped millions of people affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases such as leprosy. There is now a cure for leprosy, however, there is more work to be done as prejudice, discrimination and lack of healthcare and resources mean not everyone can receive this in time to prevent disabilities.
You can make a difference
Our mission is to beat leprosy – so that all cases are easily diagnosed and treated and leave no disability or discrimination. We are working towards a day when leprosy no longer destroys lives; with your support we can achieve this sooner.
Please help us beat leprosy – even the smallest contribution can help treat and rehabilitate people trapped by this disease.
To DONATE please scan the QR code below or visit: https://donate.lepra.org.uk/LepraDonate