HITCHIN: Advertising boards in the centre of our town have been showing support for a charity that is close to the heart of an inspirational Hitchin mum.

Lucy Patterson saw her family's life turned upside down after her young son was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease – the leading cause of acquired heart disease in UK children.

Kawasaki is a little-known but serious childhood affliction that can have the most devastating of consequences on children's hearts - with the tireless Lucy on a mission to spread the word following her son's life changing diagnosis.

So, imagine her satisfaction when an advertising hoarding on Hermitage Road in Hitchin Town centre displayed information that helps people learn more about the disease.

The tireless Lucy said: "Once again Clear Channel have shown immense support.

"Over the next two weeks in the lead up to International Kawasaki Disease awareness day our awareness campaign will be on bus shelters and in shopping centres up and down the country.

"This transformational support will save children's lives."

Hitchin is a hub of Kawasaki Disease thanks to a few determined individuals that are dedicated to getting Kawasaki Disease known.

Kawasaki Disease is very serious - it's fatal in up to 3 per cent of cases if not treated and about a quarter of all children affected will go on to have lifelong heart damage.

Societi research shows a present rate of up to 1,000 UK hospital admissions for Kawasaki Disease each year, with its incidence rapidly rising globally.

A lack of knowledge Kawasaki Disease awareness is leading to delays in diagnosis and a direct, adverse and lifelong burden on affected children - resulting in a rapidly growing number of patients living with lifelong cardiac risk and needing specialist, costly care for life.

So, the next time you're in Hitchin Town centre, why not take a minute to read information about Kawasaki.

For more information on Kawasaki Disease click here

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