Don’t miss your chance to vote for your migraine hero - closing date for entries is 17th June!

There is just a week left to send in a nomination for the 2011 ‘Migraine Heroes Healthcare Awards’. Since they were launched in 2008, the awards have aimed to recognise the special individuals and teams who have helped people with migraine, whether this may be a special doctor who has gone out of their way to try new treatments and has the patience of a saint, a family member who always picks up the pieces when an attack strikes and shows unwavering understanding, or an employer who has made changes to a migraineur's working environment to ensure they can get the most out of their career.

Previously winners have included Dr Steven Ryan, a Consultant Paediatrician at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, Alison Frith, Clinical Research Sister at the City of London Migraine Clinic in London, Stockport Osteopath, Clifford Lomas and Norfolk GP, Dr Watts.

This year there are eight award categories:

Best Carer: recognises the friends, family members or colleagues who, through their caring attitude and support, have helped to make a real difference

Best Clinic: this award enables migraineurs to recognise the GP surgeries, local hospitals and specialist migraine clinics which have helped them to cope with migraine

Best in Complementary Medicine: from reflexologists to acupuncturists to chiropractors, we know many migraineurs use complementary medicine to help manage their migraine and this award acknowledges the practitioners helping people with the condition

Best Employer: for bosses who have been extremely understanding, or if a migraineur's place of work is very migraine-friendly

Best GP: for GPs who are passionate about migraine and have made a real difference to their patients

Best Healthcare Professional: including pharmacists, neurologists or specialist headache nurses

Young Migraineur Star Award: for those aged under 18 years to nominate the healthcare professionals, teachers, group leaders, family and friends who have helped them to cope with their migraine

Young Migraineur Special Award: to recognise the achievements of children and young people with migraine

You can complete a nomination form online; visit www.migraine.org.uk/heroes or contact the office and we will email or post you a copy. Alternatively you can complete the nomination form attached at the bottom of this email.

Simply tell us why your nominee deserves the award, by the closing date of Friday 17th June 2011, and Migraine Action and members of the Medical Advisory Board will choose the winners.

Shortlisted entries will be invited to a special awards luncheon to take place during Migraine Awareness Week (Sunday 4th – Saturday 10th September 2011). Winners will receive special trophies, educational bursaries and vouchers. (Nominators and nominees will also receive a contribution towards travel expenses).

Remember, ‘Heroes’ don’t need to have done anything miraculous to be worthy of an award. If an individual or team has helped you to cope with or manage your migraine in whatever way this may be we want to hear about it.

Help us to make Migraine Heroes a success by sending in your nominations!