British Porphyria Association

The British Porphyria Association (BPA) is a national charity for people with porphyria. It was set up in 1999 by a group of patients and relatives who felt isolated and had experienced difficulties due to their porphyria, and had found there to be a general lack of understanding and information available. The BPA became a registered charity in 2001, and is run largely by a committee of volunteers (supported by part-time paid administrators). Our primary aim is to support and educate patients, relatives and medical professionals about the porphyrias, so as to improve the lives of those living with its effects. Although the disorders can in some cases be very severe and are often portrayed in a dismal light, there are many reasons to be optimistic. With the right information most porphyria patients can still live life to the full.