Kranky Panky: Pancreatitis Awareness Month

Kranky Panky is a month-long, powerful and heartfelt pancreatitis awareness campaign that is etched with permanent marker into the November calendar at Guts UK charity. Pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis) occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. It is recognised as one of the 20 most painful conditions you can suffer from by the NHS.

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland that produces the digestive enzymes that are crucial for turning food and liquid into the building blocks our body needs to function effectively. It also produces hormones, including insulin, which regulate the body’s total energy resources and blood sugar levels.

What is pancreatitis?

The main types of pancreatitis are acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is damaged, resulting in the release of the digestive enzymes into the pancreas.It occurs in 34 per 100,000 people every year.

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas. Although the condition is rare, between 6,000 and 12,000 people in the UK are given a new diagnosis every year.

The NHS considers pancreatitis to be one of the 20 most painful conditions you can suffer from.

What is Kranky Panky?

Kranky Panky is a powerful and heartfelt awareness campaign that is etched with permanent marker into the calendar at Guts UK. Throughout the month of November, we share real-life stories of those impacted by the condition. Together, we reach hundreds of thousands of people, to do more for pancreatitis, in line with our three charitable objectives:

• To provide evidence-based information on both acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.
• To raise vital awareness of this often devastating condition.
• To fund crucial research into this underfunded, condition.

How did the Kranky Panky campaign begin?

Back in 2016, the pancreatitis community came knocking on our door. The community was underrepresented and there was little information about the condition.

We knew we needed to raise vital awareness of the condition and provide evidence-based information that was easy to understand and accessible to all who needed it. People affected by pancreatitis had a huge, unmet need. We knew we had to do something about it.

In 2018, we got together with two pancreatitis patients, Kirsty and Amy, and the Kranky Panky Pancreatitis Awareness Campaign was born! The name itself was given by the community, who used the term to describe their disgruntled guts.

Since then, the campaign has given voice to more than 200 people living with or affected by the condition. People who have boldly shared their stories and experiences with us.

We regularly update our expert information on acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. We pride ourselves on ensuring that people with symptoms, or diagnoses or who want to learn more can find the information that they need.

Raising awareness – your voice matters!

There are often many presumptions and misunderstandings when it comes to pancreatitis. Some people haven’t heard of the pancreas or know of the vital role it plays in our health. Guts UK exists to change this. To raise vital awareness and educate people about this horrible condition.

We asked some of our Kranky Panky story sharers why the awareness campaign is so important…

“I hadn’t heard of acute pancreatitis before Mia was diagnosed. Children can get acute pancreatitis, and it can be severe. Knowing a little beforehand would have helped me prepare, but it was completely unexpected and frightening to see her so unwell.”

Larissa, Mia’s mum.

Read Mia’s story here.

“I support Guts UK because there needs to be more research into pancreatitis. It is difficult to diagnose and treat, making it quite a grey area in the medical world. If we start with the basics and help people get information to understand it, maybe we can reduce future hospital trips and help with the bigger picture.”

Chris.

Read Chris’ chronic pancreatitis story here.

“Acute pancreatitis completely turned my world upside down. I thought I’d found the man that I’d grow old with, not trying to find a way to live without him. I wish I had known how serious pancreatitis can be, and how important it is to get help fast. I don’t think anything would be different if we’d gotten Keith to hospital sooner, but I wish I’d been prepared. It’s also made me realise how the digestive system is so interlinked, and how important it is to keep returning to your GP if your symptoms continue or worsen.”

Victoria, Keith’s fiancée.

Read Keith’s story here.

“It’s vital to talk about pancreatitis and how severe it can be, to raise awareness about the condition and show how important it is that a cure is found. I’d never heard of pancreatitis before I was diagnosed and didn’t know how serious it can be. It was extremely scary being in a situation I wasn’t sure I was going to survive.

After nearly three years of living with pancreatitis, I’ve only just found Guts UK and believe so many more people need to know about this charity. My doctors never told me such a charity existed.”

Charlotte.

Read Charlotte’s chronic pancreatitis story here.

How can I help raise crucial awareness for pancreatitis?

• You can help reach those suffering in silence and alone. Please consider donating £3 a month to Guts UK. Thank you.
• You can help by following us on social media and using the #KrankyPanky hashtag. Please share our awareness and information posts throughout the awareness month, and any day throughout the year. Any day is a good day to raise awareness! Scroll to the bottom of this article to find our social media links and spread the word. You never know who we might reach and help together.
• Share your own experience, or that of a loved one with pancreatitis, amongst your own circles and on your own social media accounts. If you’d be interested in the possibility of sharing your story, please fill in and submit our story-sharing form. You can also share your story on social media – tag us and use the hashtag #KrankyPanky so we have the best chance of seeing it (if your profile is public).
• Fundraise for Guts UK Charity to help us abolish the taboos surrounding digestive health, and get to grips with guts. Whether it’s a sponsored silence, bake sale or a sponsored hike, you can fund life-changing research, and empower people to seek help sooner.