6 Organizations Joining The Fight Against Devastating Diseases
If you're dealing with a serious illness, it can often feel like it's a battle you're fighting all alone. These organizations help connect people struggling with the same things, raise awareness and funds for research, and provide information to those affected so they have the best chance of taking on their medical issues and leading fulfilling lives. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
6 Organizations Battling Difficult Medical Conditions
| Name | Mission |
|---|---|
| Augie's Quest to Cure ALS | Co-founded by fitness mogul Augie Nieto, raises funds for the most promising ALS research and drug development |
| Parkinson Canada | Advocates with federal, provincial and territorial governments on issues that matter to the Parkinson’s community in Canada and funds innovative research to search for better treatments and a cure |
| APS Foundation of America, Inc. | Dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, public awareness, research, and patient services for Antiphospholipid Syndrome |
| The Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital | Conducts and then translates basic research in applications that help patients, concentrating on areas such as autoimmunity, the BCG vaccine, cancer, and COVID-19 |
| Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer | Committed to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers |
| Triage Cancer | Provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers |
Introduction to the Faustman Lab
10 Unflinching Reads About Dealing With Serious Illness and Disease
Watch the Documentary: Augie
In Depth
Chronic diseases like Parkinson's, ALS, and cancer place a severe burden on sufferers, often impacting virtually every facet of life. In the effort to combat these debilitating conditions, many committed organizations lend support to affected individuals, or fund research towards a cure. In no particular order, here are six groups working to help those afflicted by serious illness.
Opening our list at #1 is Augie's Quest to Cure ALS, supporting research into motor neuron disease through fundraising and awareness efforts. Co-founded by fitness mogul Augie Nieto after his 2005 diagnosis, this group organizes events to raise money for the Translational Research Center at the ALS Therapy Development Institute, as well as helping to expand its Precision Medicine Program.
Augie's Quest operates the Team Quest 4 ALS program, a series of sponsored races to generate donations toward research efforts. These events feature racers with ALS alongside the other athletes running in support. Other fundraising events include golf outings, concerts, and the annual Tradition of Hope Gala. The organization also shares inspirational stories from individuals and families living with this disease.
Augie's Quest operates the Team Quest 4 ALS program, a series of sponsored races to generate donations toward research efforts.
At #2 we have Parkinson Canada, an organization seeking to improve the lives of those with Parkinson's disease, and to support the search for a cure. This group funds research initiatives by scientists investigating the illness's causes, progression, and possible cures, and recruits participants for clinical trials. It also organizes the Donald Calne Lecture, an annual knowledge-sharing presentation by leading researchers in the field.
Parkinson Canada offers a variety of informational resources, for those living with this condition as well as care providers. Its publications cover topics including medication, exercise, and workplace accessibility, as well as a comprehensive clinical overview for health professionals. The group also offers podcasts and video webinars, an Information and Referral Helpline, and assistance with finding support groups.
#3 on the list is APS Foundation of America, Inc., a nonprofit which seeks to raise awareness of the autoimmune blood disorder Antiphospholipid Syndrome. The group shares information about the disease's features, such as frequent clotting and increased risk of miscarriage, as well as its mechanisms of action and available treatment options.
The group shares information about the disease's features, such as frequent clotting and increased risk of miscarriage, as well as its mechanisms of action and available treatment options.
Along with clinical information on APS and related health risks, the organization shares resources offering inspiration and support to those struggling with this condition. The group also provides information on physicians with experience treating APS, and an online community where those affected can exchange stories and share their experiences. Its quarterly newsletter features articles from patients and from the group's medical advisory board.
Entry #4 is the Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, which researches the role of the immune system in disease. Investigating the possible efficacy of the anti-tuberculosis BCG vaccine against other conditions, this lab conducts clinical trials assessing whether the immunization can treat disorders like diabetes, fibromyalgia, and COVID-19.
In addition to its exploration of the BCG vaccine's potential, the Faustman Lab investigates options for recruiting the immune system to combat cancer; its researchers have identified a new class of antibodies that may serve as a target for immunotherapy in oncology. The lab shares updates about its progress, and reflections on the implications of its research for the future of medicine.
The lab shares updates about its progress, and reflections on the implications of its research for the future of medicine.
Our #5 is Debbie's Dream Foundation, which works to raise awareness of stomach cancer, assist those impacted, and support efforts toward a cure. The group distributes educational materials such as the Guidelines for Patients from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, as well as advice on issues like risk factors, nutrition, and extant treatment options. Its Patient Resource Education Program provides Mentors to assist newly diagnosed individuals and families.
DDF's assistance for those managing stomach cancer includes an online Support Community and a collection of uplifting stories from survivors. The organization also offers research grants to scientists in search of a cure, and helps patients find clinical trials in which to participate.
We'll conclude with #6, Triage Cancer, providing assistance with the legal and financial challenges that can arise for those impacted by cancer. The group publishes animated videos and articles, covering topics like health insurance, estate planning, and how to find and pay for clinical trials. The organization also includes expert speakers and survivors who give informational presentations about the illness.
The organization also includes expert speakers and survivors who give informational presentations about the illness.
Along with its many resources for patients, Triage Cancer provides educational options for health and social work professionals, preparing them to offer assistance with the non-medical impacts of the disease; these programs include in-service training as well as intensive courses. The organization's book Cancer Rights Law offers detailed information for the legal community, and its conferences bring together specialists and interested laypeople to learn and connect.
