The Australian Pituitary Foundation Ltd was founded in Sydney in 1994 by pituitary patients and family members, with the endorsement of Australian endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiation therapists and endocrine nurses, who saw the need to support people who have rare conditions of the pituitary gland.
The APF is governed by a national committee and has state branches in New South Wales (including the ACT), Queensland, South Australia (including the Northern Territory), Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. Each branch is run by state representatives who are pituitary patients, family members and friends who volunteer their time and work from home.
The Australian Pituitary Foundation is involved in a number of activities including:
- Support by healthcare professionals
- Network of endocrine support groups
- Lobbying government
- Pituitary awareness and education directed to those affected by pituitary disease, the general public and interested health professionals
- Encourage scientific research for the prevention, alleviation, care, treatment and cure of pituitary disorders
- Pituitary Awareness Week aims to provide opportunities for patients and carers to gain more information and support, and to increase awareness about pituitary disorders in the community and amongst health professionals
WHY: Pituitary disorders are relatively rare but complicated conditions that require specialist coordinated health care. Health providers, patients and those who interact with them, all benefit from a greater understanding of the intricacies and management of pituitary disorders.
Very often pituitary disorders can go undiagnosed for years resulting in prolonged and sometimes permanent debility, and disruption to the quality of patients’ lives and the lives of those around them. Therefore increasing awareness in the medical and general community may enable earlier diagnosis and thus more effective treatment.
HOW: Events are organized by voluntary committees that represent the individual state branches of the APF. Most events are free, and funding is generously provided by sponsorship from the pharmaceutical companies that support us, membership fees and donations.
| Address |
PO Box 105 Kellyville NSW 2155 |
| Tel | 1300 331 807 |
| Website | www.pituitary.asn.au |