Donations have enabled the funding of four support groups for patients from Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF).

Patients are already seeing the benefits of the quarterly support groups held at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, getting together with other patients who have similar diagnoses.

Rolande Thomas, an ILD patient, said: “What has been really good is the unique opportunity to meet and chat with other fellow patients and exchange info and tips on how we each cope with our illness and realise we are not alone.”

Jenny Lynch-Wilson, Lead ILD Specialist Nurse, said: “Life with ILD/PF can be very challenging and isolating for both the patient and their family. The main symptoms are breathlessness, cough and fatigue, all debilitating symptoms. In most cases it is a progressive disease, and many patients require ambulatory oxygen and medication to slow the progression and manage symptoms, and these can make it even more challenging to leave the house.

“Our support group allows for social interaction but also education talks on subjects requested by the group members.”

David Rees, a PF patient, said: “I strongly believe that these support groups are essential to help patients from an educational perspective as well as a supportive perspective, so they truly feel that they are not alone in the journey.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We are delighted to see the positive impact the charitable-funded group meetings are having on patients’ lives.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details, visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk