A multiple sclerosis patient from Marlow has won an international award for helping those chronic illnesses.

Trishna Bharadia won the Healthcare Collaborator Award in the ninth annual international WEGO Health Awards for patient leaders.

The award ceremony took place on October 15, where Trishna was shortlisted in the final six of two categories, the Healthcare Collaborator Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, with the Marlovian winning the former.

READ MORE: MS Walk to be replaced with virtual race due to Covid-19

Trishna said: I was completely shocked to receive the news that I had won.

“The Healthcare Collaborator Award is given to someone who has excelled in partnering with multiple stakeholders within healthcare, such as clinicians, the pharma industry, patient organisations and charities, regulators and academia.

“I’ve always believed that we must all work together to improve the patient experience of healthcare and it’s wonderful to have had my work recognised in this way.

“Winning will also give me the opportunity to further grow my work so I can continue to move healthcare forwards and help more people.”

Trishna, a translator for a business intelligence company, began her patient advocacy work after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2008 when she was just 28-years-old.

She also lives with chronic urticaria/angioedema, irritable bowel syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.

READ MORE: Marlow sisters nominated for an WEGO Health Award

Yet despite her health issues, Trishna works with multiple stakeholders, including health charities and patient groups, the healthcare industry (such as pharmaceutical companies), the NHS, industry associations, clinicians, and individuals living with chronic illness to help make their lives easier after being diagnosed with the condition.

She does this whilst also being an ambassador for MS Society UK, ADD International and Lyfebulb as well as being a patron for Chilterns MS Centre, Cambs Therapy Centre and ParaDance UK.

In September, she along with her sister and parents lead a Zumba video for a new virtual charity walk, to help those living with MS.

Her sister, Anisha Gangotra, was also nominated for a prize at this year's award ceremony.

She was shortlisted for the Rookie of the Year category for helping those with illnesses similar to her sister, but sadly, she did not win.