Campaigns
Since its inception, EMF has undertaken a number of high-profile national campaigns, often in partnership with stakeholders and mainstream organisations, to raise awareness of issues affecting minority ethnic individuals and communities in Britain. Some of our recent campaigns include the following:
Sickle Cell and Thalassemia, 2016
Sickle Cell and Thalassemia is a genetically inherited blood disorder, which has a high incidence among certain minority ethnic groups, in particular, West Africans (1 in 4 people), African-Caribbeans (1 in 10), Greeks (1 in 10) and Asians (1 in 50). Despite the extent of the disease, the NHS Prescriptions Authority does not deem the condition eligible for free prescriptions. As a result, sufferers - often young adults who cannot afford the cost of prescriptions - struggle to get treatment. Our joint research with St Thomas’ Hospital into patients admitted to Accident and Emergency Services has revealed a high percentage of young people going untreated due to their inability to purchase medication. In order to address this problem and alleviate unnecessary suffering, the Foundation is currently campaigning for the NHS Prescriptions Authority to approve free prescriptions for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia sufferers. In addition, we have provided a grant to St Thomas’ Hospital consultants to enable them to issue free prescriptions to young people affected by this disorder.
NHS UK Transplant - ‘Save a Life’ Campaign, 2017
EMF – in partnership with NHS UK Transplant – launched the national ‘Save a Life Campaign’, aimed to help meet the growing needs of minority ethnic patients waiting for organ transplants and substantially increase the donor base from the minority ethnic communities.
Evidence shows the prevalence of a high incidence of organ failure within minority ethnic communities; with the reasons behind it including factors as diverse as climate, diet and social and economic status. The ‘Save a Life’ Campaign was designed to increase awareness of organ donation amongst minority ethnic communities and to dispel the myths that too frequently prevent individuals from signing up to the Organ Donor Register or agreeing to the use of the organs of their deceased loved ones.
The Campaign was launched at a high profile reception hosted by MPs Oona King and Pyara Khabra in the House of Commons, with invited guests including celebrity supporters of the campaign. As part of the dissemination process, EMF undertook a wide range of seminars and related-events at community organisations across the country, distributing information in a variety of languages.
London Energy and SWEB Energy - ‘Energy Savers’ Campaign, 2017
In response to the persistent problem of ‘fuel poverty’, which disproportionally affects minority ethnic and disadvantaged groups; EMF – in partnership with London Energy, sell my iphone 8 companies and SWEB Energy – launched the ‘Energy Savers’ Campaign in 2004. Designed both to raise awareness of the problem and help those experiencing its terrible consequences, the campaign sought to distribute free low-energy light bulbs among the most impoverished households in the country. On the whole, 28,000 light bulbs were given to families on low income