Search Nonprofits

RSDSA, founded in 1984, is national not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote greater public and professional awareness of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD),also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). RSD/CRPS is a neurological syndrome characterized by severe and chronic pain. It is generally the result of an initiating trauma but the resulting pain is disproportionate to the injury. In addition to pain, skin sensitivity, abnormal color changes, temperature changes, and sweating are also common. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to avoid disabling pain, but this syndrome is consistently under-diagnosed and under-treated. One of RSDSA?s primary goals is to educate physicians and other health care professionals and the community at large. a chronic nerve disorder that may affect more than 1.5 million Americans. RSDSA conducts the following programs: publication of RSDS Review, a quarterly newsletter, refers individuals with RSD/CRPS to support groups and treatment centers, funds RSDS-related research, provides a free, informative inquiry packet upon request,has published Clinical Practice Guidelines, developed an attractive 4-color poster to promote greater awareness (free upon request), exhibits at major medical meetings,and maintains an Internet web site, www.rsds.org

THE BLINDNESS FOUNDATION works in Burma/Myanmar,Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines & Thailand. Our mission is: "HELP US,HELP OTHERS, HELP THEMSELVES" -working with local eye Doctors in these SE Asian countries to help prevent & cure blindness. This is achieved through education, training and mission supply for outreach cataract surgery programs to the rural & urban poor . To date for example we have over the last two decades, contributed lens implants that have been implanted in over 65,000 patients' eyes to help them see again -curing their blindness. Ongoing training and education, upgrades the knowledge and skill -sets of young Eye Doctors in training so that they can treat their own people better, without reliance on outside Ophthalmologists. This builds their health care systems closer to modern world standards. We respond to specific requests for assistance in placing young Eye Doctors in residency & Fellowship programs out of country , Also supply of anti-fungals for the Burmese fishermen with corneal infections after the Nargis Cyclone hit the Irawaddy delta region of Myanmar. Our goal is sustainable self-sufficiency for eye care in these developing nations. We have annual missions that incorporate training & lectures at university based teaching hospitals where possible to assist their development. During these missions we process requests for equipment, traing and supplies and coordinate with industry in the US to raise supplies. Your funding helps develop the third world and truly ,you do ,indeed, "make a difference" Thank You, CHRISTOPHER LYON, MD PhD Director THE BLINDNESS FOUNDATION