|
About Us>>Who We Are>>History
CARES Foundation History
2000
The need for a national organization focused on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) was obvious to Kelly and Adam Leight in 2000 when their child was diagnosed with non-classical CAH. Not only did families and individuals need a centralized location for information and networking, but the non-endocrine medical community needed resources and guidance as well. Across the country, many states did not screen newborns for CAH, resulting in misdiagnoses and delays in obtaining the most appropriate medical care. The following chronology summarizes highlights of the CARES Foundation’s history:
2001
Through the efforts of the Leights, CARES Foundation became a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with a board of trustees and a scientific and medical advisory board focusing on research, education, and support for families and individuals affected by CAH. The organization operated from Kelly’s home with volunteer support, and developed its network of families and professionals to support future growth. The website (www.caresfoundation.org) became a lifeline for families and individuals, although many contacted Kelly directly by phone and e-mail. At the close of 2001, the first newsletter was distributed, which would expand over the years to a 20-page periodical published three times a year. The first lecture/support group meeting for affected families was held in New York, the first grant from a pharmaceutical company was received, and the first CAH research grant was awarded by CARES Foundation to N.Y. Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center.
CARES Foundation embraced the issue of comprehensive newborn screening, bringing it to the table with other advocates and nonprofits concerned with genetic conditions, such as the March of Dimes. Although much progress was made, consistent efforts continue to this day to ensure that all 50 states screen newborns for CAH.
2002
The second lecture and support group meeting was held in New York, and local gatherings of affected families were held in four states to share knowledge and experience. A family workshop in Texas attracted 70 participants.
CARES Foundation began its program of providing financial aid to families needing to travel for specialized medical care, and this service continues, with demand outpacing available resources.
A physician listing was created and made available of pediatric and adult endocrinologists, urologists and psychologists with experience in treating CAH patients as a resource for families around the U.S. This list is maintained and updated daily.
The Scientific and Medical Advisory Board grew to ten members from all over the United States and one from Australia.
CARES Foundation hired its first staff person, Meryl Stone, and continued operations from Kelly Leight’s home.
CARES Foundation provided input into The_CAH_Consensus_Statement of the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and made itself known among the medical and research communities by attending conferences and arranging meetings (e.g. the Endocrine Society, the Androgen Excess Society, the Nonclassic Adrenal Hyperplasia Cooperative Group, the National Organization of Rare Diseases, the Genetic Alliance, and the National Institutes of Health).
2003
CARES Foundation obtained representation on the Newborn Screening Diagnosis and Follow-up Workgroup, Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the federal government.
A member of CARES Foundation’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board received the highest award of the Endocrine Society.
An advocacy victory was celebrated with the passage of the Rare Disease Act and the Rare Disease Orphan Product Development Act by Congress, focused on increasing rare disease research.
CARES Foundation sponsored a CAH Family Workshop in Los Angeles with 165 participants, offering continuing education for nurses for the first time. The annual conference, free to individuals and families, becomes a major commitment of the organization, and rotates from the eastern to the western part of the U.S.
A Family Workshop provided in Baltimore, Maryland, attracted 150 attendees.
CARES Foundation began creation of a ‘membership database’ to better serve its target populations, distribute the newsletter, mobilize advocacy efforts, communicate important information, track growth, and capture member needs.
Advocacy efforts by CARES Foundation and other groups were successful in increasing the National Institutes of Health budget by sixteen percent, which included research into new clinical treatments and gene therapy for persons with CAH.
Six family support groups facilitated by volunteers were functioning around the country.
2004
CARES moved into its first office space in Millburn, New Jersey and staff grew to three. The website was updated, with newsletters archived and a new section on clinical trials. Small grants were made to six organizations for CAH-related research.
CARES Foundation became a partner in a Weill Medical College of Cornell University clinical trial examining the natural history of genetic steroid disorders.
The annual Family Conference was held in Summit, New Jersey with 200 attendees.
Family support groups facilitated by volunteers increased to 22.
2005
Family conference in Indianapolis, Indiana attended by 250 people.
CARES Foundation made its first substantial research grant to the National Institutes of Health to support CAH clinical research. The intent was to continue this funding for multiple years.
Kelly Leight received the first Pfizer Unsung Hero Award, which included a grant to CARES Foundation for $10,000.
CARES Foundation staffing grew to five people.
Family support groups increased to 39 in the US and seven outside the U.S.
New efforts were dedicated to Hispanic outreach, through Spanish language materials and bi-lingual staff.
2006
Early in the year, CARES Foundation’s offices were gutted by a fire, resulting in considerable loss of records, furniture and equipment. With the generous support of donors, friends, volunteers, and staff, new offices were located in Union, New Jersey and the organization resumed operations.
CARES Foundation received a $50,000 grant from Peregrine Charities, a family foundation focused on helping under-funded and underserved populations – families afflicted by rare or orphan diseases. This grant was used to continue the Natural History Protocol of CAH study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, which had enrolled over 150 participants so far.
The annual conference, held in South Orange, New Jersey, attracted close to 300 participants and offered simultaneous Spanish translation for the first time. A new product, Medical Alert wallet cards, was distributed to all families.
The number of volunteer led family support groups grew to 56, with 12 more outside the U.S.
The first membership survey was designed and distributed through the newsletter and website, with over 500 respondents.
Only three states remained without newborn CAH screening. Advocacy efforts focused on those three states.
2007
Membership grew to over to over 2,000 individuals/families and 500 healthcare and public health professionals in all 50 states and 38 countries.
The number of volunteer led family support groups grew to 59 in the U.S. and 13 more outside the U.S.
As of August 2007, Arkansas became the final state to approve expanded newborn screening including testing for CAH. In Canada Ontario began screening for CAH bringing the count to three and a half provinces – Manitoba, North West Territories, Ontario and the western part of Nunavut – testing for CAH.
2008
CARES Foundation launched the redesign of its website, with expanded information and improved navigation.
Funding was provided for four important research studies in CAH. Total CARES funding for CAH reached over $300,000.
As of July, CARES Foundation finally was able to celebrate the fact that every baby in America is now being tested for CAH at birth! Having achieved this goal, CARES began focusing its efforts on international newborn screening campaigns as well as emergency medical response for adrenal insufficiencies in the United States.
Kelly Leight, founder of CARES Foundation, stepped down as Executive Director and President of the Board of Trustees. Kelly continues her work with CARES as a board member at large.
CARES support group leaders across the US received training manuals and interactive training sessions to further improve local support for families with CAH.
CARES created a CAH school/camp information packet to assist families in building a strong team of family, healthcare providers, teachers and others to ensure the health and safety of their child with CAH while at school or camp.
CARES added a 4th newsletter each year and made it available through easy download.
2009
CARES Foundation held its first Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminar during Endo 2009 attended by 68 medical professionals from 15 countries.
CARES joined discussions across the nation emphasizing the importance of newborn screening dried blood spots to communities such as the CAH population for the development of better neonatal testing.
Total CARES funding for CAH reached over $350,000.
CARES Foundation led successful campaigns for adrenal insufficiency emergency medical response in New York, Nevada, Massachusetts and Tennessee. Initiatives began in a number of other states bringing together families, medical professionals and nation advocacy partners. Two CARES family representatives presented our appeal at the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) national conference in Washington, D.C. in June.
Dina M. Matos was named CARES Foundation Executive Director.
Gregory Kraff became CARES Foundation's second President of the Board of Trustees.
CARES website was expanded to include up-to-date information on our EMS campaign as well as frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CAH in Hebrew.
CARES support groups grew to a total of 40 in the United States and around the world with 22 new leaders receiving training manuals and interactive training sessions to further improve local support for families with CAH.
CARES produced 4 newsletters; easily downloaded through our website.
CARES Foundation hosted a meeting of the world’s leading clinicians in CAH as well as individuals and families affected by this condition to derive guidelines for the establishment of, and standards for the recognition and maintenance of, Comprehensive Care Centers (CCC) for the treatment of CAH throughout the life cycle September 21-22, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. The resulting paper will be presented at the Endocrine Society Meeting in June, 2010.
Over 260 new families from 20 countries and 43 US states joined CARES Foundation in 2009.
On March 18, 2009, CARES hosted a gala in New York City with over 100 attendees, raising CAH awareness in the community and bringing in much needed funds for CAH education, support and research.
2010
CARES support group leaders partnered with leading institutions to host a CAH regional conference in NYC at Weill Cornell Medical College and a family day at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles which brought families, patients and health care providers together to discuss the latest advances in treatments and care and to share their personal experiences.
A new CARES informational video was created to highlight our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Campaign and our Comprehensive Care Centers initiative.
Karen Su, MD joined the organization as CARES’ first Medical Director. In this role, Dr. Su provides expert advice directly to our families and patients about treatments, care and daily living through our new “Ask the Expert” service.
A meeting of the Comprehensive Care Centers pilot committee was held in New Jersey to define minimal components and personnel, identify barriers to implementation, and develop and application. Six institutions submitted letters of intent and will be invited to submit applications for CAH CCC designation.
In October, “Guidelines for the Development of Comprehensive Care Centers for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Guidance from the CARES Foundation Initiative” was published in the International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology. The paper was presented by Richard Auchus, MD, at the Endocrine Society Meeting in June, 2010.
Progress continued in the campaigns for adrenal insufficiency emergency medical response. Protocols were implemented in Massachusetts, 3 regions in New York State and one county in Texas. Administration of patient carried medications is now available in California, Maryland, Southern Nevada and one county in Texas.
CARES began offering emergency shot kit bags to help patients be prepared in case of adrenal crises.
A blog was added to our website to build community by allowing patients and families to share their experiences, challenges and discuss important topics.
CARES added new support for our Spanish speaking families and patients with enhancements to our website and new Spanish-speaking support group leaders.
With the advocacy of CARES Foundation families, British Columbia, Canada expanded its newborn screening panel to a total of 22 disorders, including testing for CAH.
189 new families from 16 countries and 41 states across the United States joined CARES in 2010. CARES Foundation’s membership reached over 2,600 families internationally.
2010 marked the 10th anniversary of CARES Foundation and was celebrated on March 18 at CARES’ second annual gala in New York City. Over 120 guests were in attendance, where the event honored founders Kelly and Adam Leight and family, Maria New, MD and PerkinElmer.
Due to tremendous community support, CARES Foundation become one of the 100 winners in the highly competitive Chase Community Giving Campaign and was awarded a $20,000 grant by JPMorgan Chase.
|
