DEBRA

At its meeting of 15th October, Anstruther Rotary heard from Mrs Judith Hutton speaking about the disease Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and about the charity DEBRA, which works on behalf of people with this genetic skin blistering condition.

Not widely known about, we heard that EB is the result of perhaps a single mutation in a single gene, which causes the ‘glue’ that normally holds skin to underlying tissue to fail. There is currently no cure and the result is that the skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock or rub.

It was difficult to listen to a description of the effects this disease has on babies and children; of the constant bandaging; of the need to burst blisters daily and of the pain caused. About 5,000 people are affected by EB in the UK and 500,000 worldwide.

The funding of research into the cause and possible treatment of epidermolysis bullosa is one of DEBRA UK's main activities. Whilst there is currently no cure, a great deal of progress has been made over recent years in understanding the condition and there is some excitement at the moment over research, that might lead to a new potential treatment. This includes the work of Prof. Irwin McLean and the research team from the University of Dundee.    
DEBRA UK is the largest provider of EB research funds of all of the national DEBRAs around the world and also manages a central research grant assessment process on behalf of all of the member groups of DEBRA International.

After questions a vote of thanks was proposed on behalf of the club by David Forster. More about DEBRA can be found at (http://www.debra.org.uk)