We are a registered UK charity aiming to provide information about Hughes Syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome: APS), to help fund research into this condition and provide support to sufferers.

Although the syndrome is only just over 25 years old, knowledge of its causes and treatment has advanced dramatically. Sadly, however, education often lags behind so many doctors, and even specialists, have either not heard of the condition or only have limited information about it. Unfortunately, many patients have to visit doctor after doctor before a diagnosis is made.

Some years ago, Hilary Clark (nee Swarbrick), a patient of Dr Hughes and a sufferer who had experienced multiple miscarriages decided to start a charity from her home providing a sympathetic ear and a chance for Hughes Syndrome patients to share their experiences.

Since then the number of patients diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome has been steadily growing and in 2001 the Hughes Syndrome Foundation became a fully registered UK charity with the Charity Commission. The Foundation is based at St Thomas' Hospital in the centre of London and is run by its patrons, trustees and a full time manager.

In our short history, we have made a promising start. We have produced a number of patient books and leaflets, provide three newsletters a year for our members, maintain a website, are constantly alerting various media sources about the condition, organise an awareness week in September and have held a number of patients and GP meetings.

We are focused on raising funds to further research into the causes and possible treatment for the antiphospholipid syndrome, and to raising public and medical awareness of the condition in the hope that we can prevent anyone suffering unnecessarily from its effects which can range from miscarriage to thrombosis and migraine to stroke. It is diagnosed by a simple blood test - and is potentially treatable!