6 March 2025
MPs are being urged to attend a special event in Parliament on Tuesday, 25 March, to mark the world’s first Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Awareness Day, which is being held on Friday, 4 April.
Hosted in the House of Commons, the event aims to raise awareness of PPA, a rare language-led dementia, and the crucial role of speech and language therapists in supporting those affected.
Sponsored by Helen Maguire MP, and organised by Dyscover, the specialist aphasia charity, alongside the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the event will bring together people living with PPA, their families, and healthcare professionals to share their experiences and discuss how better support can be provided.
PPA, the condition that actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with, starts with difficulties in finding words or remembering names before progressively impacting a person’s ability to communicate. While there is no cure, with the right speech and language therapy support, people with PPA can continue to communicate meaningfully for longer, helping them to maintain their relationships and quality of life.
This is a vital opportunity for MPs to hear first-hand about the challenges faced by people with PPA and their families, friends, and carers. With greater awareness and investment in speech and language therapy, we can help people with PPA live fuller lives for longer.
The event also serves as a preview to the official launch of Primary Progressive Aphasia Awareness Day on 4 April, marking a major milestone in recognising and supporting those affected by the condition.
Call to action
We are asking you to contact your MPs to ask them to attend. We have set up a template email, and letter, for you to use. All you need is your postcode and five minutes.
Access the e-action to send to your MP.
Download the template letter to send to your MP.
For more information, contact:
- Elissa Cregan – elissa.cregan@rcslt.org
- Peter Just – peter.just@rcslt.org
