A short history

The Association for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Disorders (AMEND) is a patient group set up in 2002 to support and inform anyone affected by or interested in multiple endocrine neoplasia disorders and their associated endocrine tumours. AMEND is run by patients, for patients, and became a UK registered charity (no. 1099796) in 2003, converting to a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (no. 1153890) from January 1st, 2014. AMEND reports to and is regulated by the UK Charity Commission.

Back in 2002, MEN1 sufferers and co-founders, Liz Dent and her daughter Emily Fazal set up AMEND as they were concerned that, having been recently diagnosed with a rare condition, there was little information to be found regarding best treatment, and even fewer fellow patients with whom to be in contact to share experiences – a process that so many people find helpful.

With the help of the AMEND medical advisory team, Jo Grey produced the first English language versions of our patient-aimed information books on MEN back in 2005.  Since then, AMEND has continued to find other innovative ways to help support and inform patients and their families and friends around the world. Amongst these innovations is the MEN Passport; a portable record folder for keeping track of the complicated monitoring and treatment regimes involved in living with MEN.

In 2008 Jo Grey became CEO and Chair of the Trustee Board and continues to run AMEND today as CEO ably assisted by Administrator, Helen Blakebrough and a committed band of patient, family and healthcare professional volunteers.

Jo Grey, AMEND CEO

Helen Blakebrough, Administrator

In 2008, membership of AMEND was made free to all, and in 2009, AMEND’s free counselling service for volunteers and members was launched.

AMEND works hard forging and maintaining cooperative working alliances with other patient and professional groups around the world in order to ensure the best support possible for MEN and endocrine tumour patients. The charity believes strongly in investing in its growing band of volunteers and provides appropriate training wherever possible.  Nowhere is this better reflected than in our Regional Volunteers project which was launched in 2018.

AMEND also runs two other groups:

• ACC Support UK (for those affected by adrenocortical cancer – in collaboration with Neuroendocrine Cancer UK)
• Phaeo Para Support UK (for those affected by inherited phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma syndromes)

Inform, support, empower

Our vision is that, until a cure can be found, everyone affected by multiple endocrine neoplasia disorders and associated endocrine syndromes and tumours receives correct and timely diagnosis, ongoing up-to-date expert medical care and management, and appropriate information and support.

To improve the well- being of all persons affected by MEN and endocrine tumours by:

• Providing support to patients and their families and friends;
• Providing information about MEN and other relevant issues relating to genetic disorders,
• Promoting a wider knowledge of MEN among the medical profession to assist in early and accurate diagnosis, and;
• Assisting in future MEN research

We are always pleased to hear from you so don’t hesitate to get in touch and see how we can help.

Regulatory Information

As a charity (non-profit organisation) registered in England & Wales, AMEND is regulated by the government’s Charity Commission and produces annual reports and accounts. It does not receive government funding.

Board of Trustees

AMEND has a Board of Trustees (Directors) which includes patients, healthcare professionals and other interested parties with specific qualifications. It is the Board’s responsibility to set the organisation’s strategy and to ensure that the charity operates in compliance with the laws of the United Kingdom.

Interested in becoming a Trustee? Just contact us for a chat!

• Click on the individual links below to find out how our Trustees enjoy and value their volunteer roles
• For more information on the roles and responsibilities of Trustees, please visit the National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ website
• Induction and Training is provided!

Click here to see our current Trustee Board, the AMEND UK Medical Advisory Team and organisations that AMEND is a proud member of.

We are very grateful for all the wonderful support that AMEND has received over the years in either monetary or in-kind donations and sponsorship as well as individual fundraising.

Click here to see our current and past sponsors.

As a UK registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No. 1153890), AMEND must submit its report and accounts to the UK Charity Commission annually. AMEND was a registered unincorporated charity (no. 1099796) until it became a CIO from 1st January 2014.

You can view both our CIO and our unincorporated charity summaries and Annual Reports & Accounts on the Charity Commission Website