Why does it feel like "second nature" for PatientsLikeMe to create innovative partnerships with nonprofits? Nonprofit organizations are dedicated and centered around putting patients first - a concept that's near and dear to us too. In 2010, we focused on refining our nonprofit partnerships to bring more events and programs to patients, both online and off. As you know from our blog last week, more patients like you sharing data on PatientsLikeMe leads to more learning and we are thankful to our nonprofit partners for helping us spread the word to bring in more patients. Additionally, the more patients like you who know about and participate in nonprofit events and programs, the more funds raised for your research and awareness of your particular disease.
Below is a video and some details about how we worked with our nonprofit partners in 2010:
- We worked closely this year with the Myelin Repair Foundation on two of their new initiatives: Where are the Cures? and Breakthrough to Cures. We offered you a chance to ask questions and comment on their groundbreaking Patient Manifesto in our hosted forum, and blogged about their innovative brainstorming game designed to spark conversation about accelerating the pace of research.
- With the launch of our Transplants Community, PatientsLikeMe developed a special relationship with the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. Lori Scanlon, Chris Fidyk, and I joined the staff and a team of transplant recipients, donors and their families to spread the word about PatientsLikeMe at the 2010 US Transplant Games in Madison, WI. We hosted a booth at the Expo and were blown away by the spirit of the Games. Thank you team PatientsLikeMe!
- There was no shortage of spirit at the Parkinson's Unity Walk this year at Central Park in New York City. Lori Scanlon and I met the PatientsLikeMe team walking to raise awareness and funds for The Parkinson's Alliance. You can meet some of them through this video created by Aaron Fleishman. We were amazed by the enthusiasm and determination of the thousands of patients attending the walk with their friends and families.
- Nonprofit partner National MS Society (NMSS) of Greater New England worked hard this year to spread the word about PatientsLikeMeInMotionTM to its patients - and you responded. PatientsLikeMe teams increased sevenfold at their events and you helped raise an extra $2500 for NMSS.
- In addition, we talked about the Accelerated Cure Project's repository for MS and NMO patients and talked about a number of awareness months/days, including most recently Worlds AIDS Day, Epilepsy Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Week.
Stay tuned for exciting new programs in 2011 for you and your favorite nonprofit organizations. Creating exciting partnerships with nonprofits continues to be at the forefront in 2011 and we're looking forward to launching new initiatives throughout the year.