Light up to protect children's hearts

TWO prominent buildings in Dumfries will be illuminated red later this week in recognition of International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day. Dumfries and Galloway Council headquarters and The Venue will be lit up red on Saturday as part of an international campaign, led in the UK by the Societi, the U.K. Foundation for Kawasaki Disease Although once considered a rare disease, the disease is now the number one cause of acquired heart disease in children in the UK. Societi research shows around 1,500 UK hospital admissions for Kawasaki Disease will happen this year. And that if not treated it can be fatal in up to 3 per cent of cases and about a quarter of all children affected will go on to have lifelong heart damage, despite treatment. Symptoms of the disease include:

• A persistent fever with temperature of 38°C or more
• Red rash
• Red swollen hands and feet
• Red, dry, sore mouth, cracked lips, ‘strawberry tongue’
• Red bloodshot eyes
• Swollen gland in the neck (often just on one side)

Societi believes all families need to know the signs of Kawasaki Disease to reduce delays in diagnosis. Rachael McCormack, Founder of Societi said: ‘We are thrilled that Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Venue will be shining a light on Kawasaki Disease and we are extremely grateful to Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Venue for their amazing support. Despite Kawasaki Disease being increasingly common, low public awareness means it’s often initially misdiagnosed, putting children’s hearts at risk. We need families to know Kawasaki Disease so we can reduce the number of children suffering the devastating effect of serious, lifelong heart damage. We are so grateful to all the landmarks across the UK that are lighting up for International Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day. They really are helping us to protect children’s hearts, and that is just amazing”. For more information about Kawasaki Disease visit: www.societi.org.uk