Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading patient-based organization for people with asthma and allergenic complications. AAFA develops and supports health education programs to gain a better understanding of asthma and allergies. AAFA provides education, through community-based services to people through a network of regional chapters and support groups around the United States. In addition to organizing state and national advocacy efforts, the AAFA funds research toward improved treatments and a cure for asthma and allergenic diseases.

Asthma is a disease of the lungs when the airways become blocked or narrowed causing respiratory difficulties. 20 Million Americans are affected with this chronic disease. There is need for further research to gain a more significant base of knowledge on how to prevent, treat, and cure asthma.

Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens." Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year or where symptoms appear on the body: indoor and outdoor allergies ("hay fever," "seasonal," or "nasal" allergies), food and drug allergies (“peanut” or “seafood” allergies), latex allergies, insect allergies, skin allergies, and eye allergies. Return to Top

Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) was founded by families of children with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) and their physicians to help meet the demanding needs of those afflicted with PIDD.

One of the greatest challenges faced by individuals diagnosed with PIDD is accessing accurate information and resources. Based on the foresight and personal experience of the founders, IDF has developed a variety of educational outreach programs assisting both the patient and medical community in gaining a broader understanding of PIDD. IDF has promoted and funded research that has helped characterize PIDD. This funding has not only led to improved treatment options, but has maintained and enhanced patient access to various treatment options.

PIDD are a group of relatively rare conditions caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system . Thousands of individuals and families affected by PIDD depend on IDF for advocacy, education and empowerment. Years ago, a diagnosis of a PIDD caused an extremely compromised life not only for the patient, but for the family as well. Today, with early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, many patients with that same diagnosis can live a healthy and productive life. Return to Top

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leader in research striving to find a cure for type 1 diabetes in the world. It institutes the global agenda for diabetes research and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science in the world. JDRF was founded by parents of children with type 1 diabetes and has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to simply find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, with fatal possibilities that suddenly strikes children and adults. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves multiple injections of insulin every day of their lives. Considering that intensive care, insulin is not a cure, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Return to Top

Autism Society of America (ASA) is the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization. Its purpose is to improve the daily lives of all people affected by autism. ASA accomplishes this mission by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people overcoming the complications of autism. ASA advocates that appropriate services be provided to individuals, in addition to community outreach and education on the latest information regarding treatment options.

ASA was founded by parents of children with autism and is the leading source of reliable information about autism. Through it strong network, ASA has initiated numerous pieces of local and state legislation, including the 2006 Combating Autism Act, the first federal autism-specific law.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s communication and social abilities. Autism is a “spectrum disorder” that affects each individual differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can have an immediate impact on families. It is estimated that 1 in every 150 American children and almost 1 in 94 boys are afflicted with autism. ASA estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million. Return to Top

Agility Angels is a non-profit organization that partners agility trained dogs and autistic children. Agility Angels works to foster a relationship between the children and the dog to help build self esteem, confidence, and the joy of unconditional friendship. Everyone involved in the program is a volunteer. Each child is paired up with both a volunteer agility dog owner a "coach," who teaches the child to work with the dog.

The organization is just over a year old and has grown tremendously in the last year. Agility Angels is in need of a more suitable location to work with all the children and dogs. The program was held out of a volunteer's back yard for many months. A temporary building was available to the group so they could continue throughout the winter months. They are now renovating a building that they will hopefully soon be able to move into to meet the growing needs of children in the community with autism. Return to Top

Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Rather that dwell on her own situation throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. That promise has become Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement.

Since its inception, it has invested more than $1 billion, toward education, advocacy, and community awareness programs. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, Susan G. Komen for the Cure continually works to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all, and energize science to find the cures. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world, however, education and community outreach programs throughout the world need to continue developing, as causes and preventive measures for breast cancer have yet to be determined. At least seven million people die of cancer each year and close to 11 million new cases are diagnosed. Return to Top

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) works to enhance the lives of everyone with, at risk, or affected by kidney disease. NKF is a voluntary, nonprofit health organization dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

Through various network offices and media campaigns, NKF provides vital patient and community services. NKF conducts extensive public and professional community outreach programs, advocating legislative action for patients, while also supporting kidney research to identify new treatments and preventative measures.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy. CKD may lead to complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health, nerve damage, and an increased risk of having heart disease. These problems may occur slowly, or over a long period of time. CKD may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and other disorders.

Early detection and treatment can minimize the effects of CKD. If kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. 26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk. Return to Top