Monica's story
"When I saw Walk Your AS Off, it inspired me to want to be part of the community that I had found online, and to give me that extra motivation to keep moving on a daily basis."
Read Monica's storyWalk Your AS Off (WYASO) is an annual, global and virtual step challenge every May. It's all about getting active for health, raising awareness about axial SpA and raising vital funds for NASS.
By joining Walk Your AS Off (or WYASO, for short), you could:
Having trouble registering? Email the NASS Fundraising team.
When you are signed in, search for one of the following 3 teams in the search box and join their Facebook groups to become part of a wider community of people with axial SpA:
Click here to create your fundraising page and start fundraising for NASS!
Remember! NASS receives no government funding. We rely on your support, and thousands of others like you, to ensure people with axial SpA always has somewhere to turn when someone with axial SpA needs advice, information and support with the help of NASS.
Not sure whether to join? Here’s why walkers signed up and fundraised for NASS last year ...
"When I saw Walk Your AS Off, it inspired me to want to be part of the community that I had found online, and to give me that extra motivation to keep moving on a daily basis."
Read Monica's story“Walk your AS Off is a great initiative, as I can tailor my steps to whatever I’m able to manage each day whilst still fulfilling the brief of keeping active and I’ll be fundraising at the same time!”
Read Caroline's story“When I saw Walk Your AS Off, I immediately signed up.”
Read Victoria's story“This is my first year helping to raise funds for NASS and I am delighted with the support of my friends and family during such a difficult time. I’m so lucky to be so supported.”
Read Kevin's story“If you are like me and have never been ‘into’ exercise and you struggle with pain, can I encourage you to just take one step at a time, even if that means just hobbling down the road, keep going, it will help in the end.”
Read Abi's story“I have decided to take part in Walk Your AS Off to raise awareness but also to make sure I’m active every day and walking more.”
Read Carol's story“I feel I’ve been given a new lease on life and am physically able!”
Read Amy's story“Walk Your AS Off has given me a target and encouraged me to keep positive.”
Read Fiona's storyDo I have to fundraise? What difference would my fundraising make?
No. But every penny you do raise can make a big difference to the lives of people with axial SpA.
Someone gave me cash. What do I do?
If you collect donations in cash using your sponsorship form, you can:
How can I help raise awareness of axial SpA during Walk Your AS Off?
Here’s how you can help raise awareness of axial SpA during Walk Your AS Off:
How can I get a NASS t-shirt during my walks?
Once you raise £20, get in touch to get your orange NASS t-shirt! Call us on 020 8741 1515 or email fundraising@nass.co.uk to order your t-shirt. We stock small, medium, large, XL or XXL sizes for men and women – just ask! Sizes are subject to availability.
Do I have to do a certain number of steps every day?
You can do as little or as many steps as you like at any time during May. It’s just about getting active. Whether you walk 50 steps or run 5,000, it all adds up to our collective team step total.
I’m a wheelchair user – can I still join in?
Absolutely! You can convert time spent in your wheelchair, or doing other activities like housework, swimming, cycling or Pilates, into steps too. It can be all converted with our step conversion chart.
I’ve been recently diagnosed with axial SpA. Do you have any advice for walking with axial SpA?
Yes, we’re here to help. Here are our top tips:
Does NASS organise Walk Your AS Off?
No. This year, Walk Your AS Off will be organised by the Spondylitis Association of America. Thank you to Walk As One for all the amazing work they have done since 2015 to mobilise and motivate a global community to raise awareness and address the challenges of those affected by axial Spondyloarthritis and its family of related conditions.
Your support for NASS and people with axial SpA is more critical than ever:
Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints. Inflammation where muscles attach to the bones, causes extreme pain. It’s an invisible and often misdiagnosed condition. Often leaving people feeling powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion. If left untreated, it can permanently fuse bones together.
NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesn’t receive any statutory funding. We rely on your kindness and generosity, and other people like you, to help us transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA and help more people live well with the condition sooner.
If you have any questions about Walk Your AS Off, please email fundraising@nass.co.uk or call 020 8741 1515 and press option 2.
Enter online NASS Summer Prize Draw 2024! Help raise funds for NASS and get the chance to win £500, £125 or £50! The raffle will close on 29 August at 11:55pm. The raffle will be drawn automatically via email at 2am on Friday 30 August 2024. Raffle tickets are only available to buy online.
Enter today1 in 200 of the adult population in the UK have axial SpA (AS). That's twice as many as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Axial SpA (AS) is a condition that affects young people. Symptoms start late teens to early twenties, with the average age of onset being 24.
The current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred.
59% of people with axial SpA (AS) report experiencing mental health problems compared to 25% of those with musculoskeletal conditions overall.