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Overview of NMRF

National Medical Research Foundation (NMRF) was founded in 2000 by Joan & Edward Reiter as a 501(c)(3) Organization, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The Reiter’s have funded all expenses incurred since conception. They are dedicated to provide the much-needed support for thousands of patients stricken with three autoimmune diseases:

• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

• Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

• Takayasu’s Arteritis (TA)

The Reiter’s will continue to design entrepreneurial projects to fund:

• Research to find the cure for these autoimmune diseases

• Research to discover alternative medications

• Clinical trials for medications showing promise of positive treatment

• Establish National Support Groups for patients and their families

• Distribute awareness to an uninformed public.

The fund-raising philosophy activates a different character and approach than many charities:

• Spend little on advertising/promotion, etc.

• Introduce entrepreneurial flair through unique fund-raising projects

• Invigorate public involvement, dedication and support.

In 1999, a preliminary investigation failed to reveal:

• Any research conducted to find a cure or alternative medications for PMR/GCA/TA.

• Any indication of the establishment of Patient Support Groups

• Any attempt at distribution of awareness to an uninformed public.

NMRFoundation has established many Support Groups in the United States and was instrumental in the establishment of three Support Groups in Scotland.

Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC), Boston University, Peter Merkel, M.D., Director and Chief Investigator, approached the founders of NMRF to sit on the VCRC Steering Committee as patient Advocates for PMR and GCA and requested that they include Takayasu’s Arteritis. Dr. Merkel advised that NMRFoundation is the only association in the country addressing the above autoimmune conditions.

The VCRC is a non-profit organization that has received substantial grants from the NIH to consider issues of autoimmune diseases. VCRC is comprised of:

• Boston University School of Medicine

• Cleveland Clinic Foundation

• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

PMR and GCA strike the over 50 age group. In the United States alone there are 135 million “at risk”, the “baby boomer” population of some 76 million and the retired population of some 59 million. PMR and GCA strike twice as many women as men. Patients are often removed from the job market “overnight”. TA usually strikes those between 15 and 40 and affects 8 or 9 times as many women as men. It is most prevalent in Asian women. Many are physically impaired for months, years or die as a result of these diseases or the resulting impairment from “conventional” treatment.

The following statistics are impressive and indicate the magnitude of the PMR/GCA/TA challenge:

• PMR/GCA strike those over the age of 50 (NIH statistic)

• There are 135 million “at risk” in the United States alone (NIH statistic)

• 1 in 143 over the age of 50 will be stricken (NIH statistic)

• GCA can cause irreversible blindness

• There is no known cure (NIH statistic)

• Treatment of choice is prednisone (Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, others)

• Can find no evidence of basic research in work or contemplated

The public in general has never heard of these diseases as they have been inadequately publicized.

NMRF will establish a presence in every State. A first criteria for state opening is the selection of an Executive Director. Executive Director has the mandate to raise funds for state activities and the NMRF mission. Each state where legally permitted will be opened with an “Automobile Raffle” event. Other states that do not permit raffles, will be opened through a uniquely designed “philanthropist” campaign’.