The main purpose of the meeting was to formalise the group’s progress towards charitable status by the adoption of a constitution and the election of an ADSHG board. Katherine White chaired the afternoon, dealing with the election of committee members, followed by reports from Treasurer, David Leen, Webmaster, Nick Willson and Research & Publication Fund representative, Sarah Baker. Support for these developments was overwhelming and Deana Kenward, in recognition of her selfless and tireless work in running the group for the last nineteen years, was elected President. She gave an amusing speech in her role as the second president to have Addison’s Disease after the only slightly more well known John F. Kennedy!

Formalities were quickly dispensed with, paving the way for our second annual lecture, this year given by Professor John Wass, Head of the Endocrinology Division at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, on the care, causes and myths of Addison’s Disease. Professor Wass proved to be an extremely entertaining lecturer and the questions and answers throughout his lecture were highly informative.

The room was packed, as over 90 people attended the meeting and lecture. These were largely made up of group members, families and friends, but Professor Krishna Chatterjee, Dr Ellie Gurnell and Research Nurse Suzanne Curran had also made the trip from Cambridge to be present during the afternoon. Professor Chatterjee heads the research team conducting the DHEA study at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, in which so many group members have participated.

After the lecture, Dr Ellie Gurnell gave a brief update on the DHEA trials at Addenbrooke’s.

Suzanne Curran’s demonstration of the emergency injection technique (on a bag full of oranges) rounded off the afternoon and proved to be both illuminating and very useful indeed. Most of us have heard about the emergency procedure, but all Addisonians and their partners must be aware of exactly how it is properly administered with the minimum of fuss and many doubts and fears were assuaged by Suzanne’s sympathetic and efficient approach.

Hot and cold refreshments were provided and old acquaintances were renewed as new friendships were made as the enjoyable and educational afternoon drew to a close. Heartfelt and sincere thanks to all Committee Members and also to our guest speakers and demonstrator for all their hard work in ensuring that the proceedings were such a resounding success.