Portal to MD Organizations on the Internet

A Service of Macular Degeneration Support

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What Makes an Effective Service Organization?

The effectiveness of a service organization is best defined by its activities, accomplishments, and financial management. Opinions about the effectiveness of an organization may, therefore, be based upon subjective criteria such as:

• Satisfaction of all statements made in the organization's publicized description.
• Appropriate use of public contributions and grants. (Financial information is available through this site from GuideStar: The Donor's Guide To The Charitable Unive rse.)
• Proof of honesty in advertising, full disclosure, and other accepted principles of conduct on the Internet. (Certification is available from the Center for Applied Special Technology.)
• Web site meets minimum standards for low vision access. (Certification is available from the Health On The Net Foundation.)
• Solicitation methods meet acceptable ethical standards. (See article, "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: How To Avoid Charity Rip-Offs."

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Disclaimer

This is a non-selective compilation of information on all known charitable organizations serving the national macular degeneration community. It is provided for convenience only and is not necessarily an endorsement of the organizations or their activities. Visitors are encouraged to consider all of the above criteria before patronizing or contributing to th ese or any other charitable groups.

To add an organization to this list, contact Dan Roberts, MD Support Director

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Organizations

AMD Alliance International

www.amdalliance.org

1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 3E8

Description:
"A global coalition of vision and seniors' organizations dedicated to raising awareness of AMD and the options available for prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and support services."

Activities:

• International research.
• Distribution of informational brochures.
• Trade and consumer shows and conferences.
• Speakers bureau.
• Toll-free hotline.
• Educational campaign
• International and national advocacy activities.
• Sponsorship and giving opportunities.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: By request from the organization.

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American Macular Degeneration Foundation

www.macular.org

P.O. Box 515
Northampton MA 01061-0515

Description:
"To promote and conduct basic and applied research and provide education for eye diseases, in particular, macular degeneration."

Notice
The information on this organization's website is outdated, and no research contributions are reported.

Activities:

• Sale of newsletter.
• Web site.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: View financial information.

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Association For Macular Diseases

www.macula.org

210 E 64th
New York NY 10021

Description:
"The Association for Macular Disease is an entirely volunteer, nonprofit association dedicated to helping people with macular diseases lead independent lives. Motto: Nil Desperandum (Don't Despair)." Works in collaboration with the Macula Foundation.

Activities:

• Free quarterly newsletter.
• Educational seminars.
• Informational web site.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Fight For Sight, Inc.

www.FightforSight.org

381 Park Ave S
Ste 809
New York, NY 10016

Description:
The mission of Fight for Sight is to support vision research to find the causes and cures for blindness and to help save the sight of children through support of pediatric eye centers.

Activities:

• Research funding.
• Helps maintain eye clinics for disadvantaged children.
• Patient referral service.
• Student and post-doctoral fellowships.
• Grants-in-aid.

Web Certifications: n/a

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Macular Degeneration Association

Website: www.maculardegenerationassociation.org

P.O. Box 20256
Sarasota, FL 34242

Description:

Notice
No evidence found showing contributions to scientific research, as implied by the organization's letters of solicitation.

Activities:

• Solicitation of public contributions by direct mail.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: Not available. The MDA is not listed with Guidestar or the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau has requested basic information from this company, but has received no response.

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Macular Degeneration Foundation

www.eyesight.org

P.O. Box 531313
Henderson, NV 89053

Description:
"Dedicated to serving the interests of those affected by Macular Degeneration and related low vision conditions"

Activities:

• Free email newsletter.
• Informational web site.
• Co-sponsor of the International Macular Degeneration Support Group.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Macular Degeneration Partnership

www.macd.net

The Discovery Fund For Eye Research
8733 Beverly Blvd, Suite 201
Los Angeles CA 90048

Description:
"MDP is coalition of patients and families, researchers, physicians and leaders in the fields of vision and aging, which provides accurate, timely, and unbiased information on age-related macular degeneration."

Activities:

• Monthly online newsletter.
• Free email subscription to AMD Update.
• Email alert subscription.
• Free telephone support.
• Informational web site.

Web Certifications:

• Center for Applied Special Technology: meeting or exceeding all minimum requirements for low vision web site access.
• Health On The Net Foundation: meeting or exceeding the principles of the code of conduct for health-related web sites.

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Macular Degeneration Research

www.brightfocus.org/macular

A program of:
Bright Focus Foundation (the new name for the American Health Assistance Foundation)
22512 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg MD 20871

Description:
BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and providing public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including macular degeneration. We are working to save mind and sight.  BrightFocus is at the forefront of brain and eye health, advancing early-stage, investigator-initiated research around the world. We also provide free educational materials to people affected by or interested in these diseases, empowering them to take action for themselves and others. They can take advantage of news and research results offered through publications, social media, videos, podcasts, TV and radio public service announcements, and BrightFocus websites—www.BrightFocus.org and www.ChildrensCorner.org. Through our toll-free phone number, 1.855.345.6637, people can speak directly with a member of our information services staff, weekdays 9 to 5 Eastern time, for support, answers to questions, and referrals.

Activities:

• Research funding.
• Resources for people affected by macular degeneration, including caregivers.
• Advocacy to end macular degeneration.

Web Certifications:

• Health On The Net Foundation: meeting or exceeding the principles of the code of conduct for health-related web sites.
• Better Business Bureau Accreditation

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Macular Degeneration Support

www.mdsupport.org

3600 Blue Ridge
Grandview MO 64030-1561

Description:
"MD Support is a nonprofit organization which provides information and support to people who are affected by macular degeneration and related diseases of the retina."

Activities:

• Sponsorship of MDList, an email discussion group.
• Sponsorship of MDForum, an Internet discussion board.
• Sponsorship of the Low Vision Web Ring.
• Production and distribution of informational videos and free audio/visual presentations about macular degeneration, living with vision loss, and rehabilitation.
• Sponsorship of the International MD Support Group
• Development and maintenance of a national database of alternative transportation for the vision impaired.
• Maintenance of the Internet's most extensive web site for the vision impaired.
• Distribution of printed materials and CDs.

Web Certifications:

• W3C compatible.
• Center for Applied Special Technology: meeting or exceeding all minimum requirements for low vision web site access.
• Health On The Net Foundation: meeting or exceeding the principles of the code of conduct for health-related web sites.
• Recipient of the 2004 "Distinguished Service Award" of the American Optometric Association's Low Vision Rehabilitation Section.
• Recipient of the National Eye Institute's 2006 Healthy Vision Community Award.

Financial Information available from Guidestar.

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Macular Disease Society

www.maculardisease.org

P.O. Box 1870
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 9AD
United Kingdom

Description:
"A self-help society for those affected by any of the eye conditions encompassed by the overall name of Macular Disease, such as AMD, Macular Dystrophy, Myopic Degeneration etc."

Activities (all UK based):

• funding of research
• hosting of conferences
• nation-wide network of local support groups
• distribution of quarterly magazine and audio tapes (to paid members)
• telephone support Helpline
• professional & confidential telephone-based counselling service
• informational website with audio and video downloads

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: By request from the organization

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Macula Vision Research Foundation

www.mvrf.org

100 Front Street, Suite 300
West Conshohocken, PA 19428

Description:
"Increase awareness of macular degeneration."

Activities:

• Research funding.

Web Certifications: n/a

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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The Foundation Fighting Blindness

www.blindness.org

11435 Cronhill Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117-2220

Description:
"The Foundation Fighting Blindness was incorporated in 1971 to sponsor and/or assist in the research of the causes, treatments, and prevention of retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and other retinal degenerative diseases. It is composed of volunteer-based affiliates throughout the United States who are dedicated to supporting the Foundation's efforts. The urgent mission of The Foundation Fighting Blindness is to fund the research that will discover the causes, treatments, preventive methods, and cures for the entire spectrum of blinding, retinal degenerative diseases."

Activities:

• Human services information.
• Research funding.
• Physician referrals.
• Free newsletter.
• Sponsorship of annual "Vi sions" conference.
• Informational web site.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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The Macula Foundation, Inc.

www.macula.org/foundation/foundation.html

210 E 64th St.
New York NY 10021

Description:
"The Macula Foundation supports basic and clinical research in macular diseases of the eye, which represents a major cause of visual impairment in all age groups." Works in collaboration with the Association For Macular Diseases.

Activities:

• Research funding.
• Public lectures.

Web Certifications: None

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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Research to Prevent Blindness

www.rpbusa.org

645 Madison Ave., Floor 21
New York, NY 10022-1010

Description:
"Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) is the leading non-government supporter of eye research directed at the prevention, treatment or eradication of all diseases that threaten vision."

Activities:

• Major eye research funding to more than 50 leading scientific institutions in the U.S.
• Support for hundreds of talented vision scientists engaged i n a diverse range of disease-oriented research.

Web Certifications: n/a

Financial Information: View Financial Information

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National Retina Institute Research Foundation, Inc.

www.nationalretina.com/innovativetechnology/centerformaculardegeneration.asp

901 Dulaney Valley Rd, Ste 200
Towson, MD 21204

Description:
"Research concerning retinal disorders."

Activities:

• Study of scar tissue formation on the retina after surgery.
• Study of pathobiology of age-related macular degeneration.

Web Certifications: n/a

Financial Information: Available here.

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