National Reye's Syndrome Foundation's Gifting Site

Where Kids and Aspirin Products Don't Mix

Incorporated on August 3, 1974, in Bryan, Ohio, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation is a health advocacy organization whose mission is to eradicate the incidence of Reye's Syndrome.

The Foundation is committed to the health and well-being of those who are most at risk; children. The Foundation has made great gains toward the ultimate goal of eradicating Reye's Syndrome. Our public awareness programs have resulted in a decrease in the number of cases reported in recent years. It is hoped that research will bring us closer to our goal.

The Foundation's Programs:

Awareness - to aid in the early detection of Reye's Syndrome, and to educate the public and medical communities about the risk involved with the use of aspirin and aspirin products.

Service - to give families experiencing the personal trauma of Reye's Syndrome emotional support and guidance.

Research - to support investigation into the cause, management, treatment, and prevention of the disease, as well as study the impact the disease has had on survivors.

Major Accomplishments of the NRSF:

  • Initiated, encouraged, and supported mandatory warning labels on all over-the-counter medicines containing aspirin.

  • Consistently updates several websites; Available in Multiple Languages; Language Expansion Continuous, at www.ReyesSyndrome.Org,
    www.RSGifting.Org,
    www.AnniePill.com (a site geared toward teen and tween self-medicating issues.

  • Produces Educational Material for both the Lay Community and for Medical Professionals.

  • Annual Mailing to 136,000 schools with downloadable School Packages for 136,000 schools.

  • Observes National Reye's Syndrome Month in September, and National Reye's Syndrome Week the third full week in September.

  • Produced and distributes an award-winning Reye's Syndrome documentary, entitled "Reye's Syndrome: A Real and Present Danger."

  • Develop and produce television and radio public service announcements featuring National Spokesperson, Dick Van Dyke.

  • Produced and distributes a medical DVD, entitled "Reye Syndrome And It's Mimickers" -- Only available for medical professionals.

Research:

The Foundation has established a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of eight medical scientists from various parts of the United States and Canada, all of whom have been active in Reye's Syndrome research.

There is so much more to do, however. Doctors are so busy in this country, they tell new parents not to give children aspirin, but they don't tell them why. Everyday we hear from parents and caregivers who have no idea the danger salicylate products pose to children.

Email to the foundation tells of children being fed aspirin by parents in the Phillipines - where parents hand it out like candy. In China, willow bark tea (pure salicylate) is given to children for flu and chickenpox. Around the globe we hear what is happening, how children are still exposed to salicylates, and are dying of Reye's Syndrome.

We hear from the families of our soldiers stationed overseas; doctors in other countries prescribe aspirin for fever and flu in children, and they fear for their own children.

Teens and Tweens who share medications, who diagnose thier own illnesses, and help themselves to mom and dad's, or their grandparent's, medicines.

Chicken Pox Parties, Flu Parties; Parents not understanding the horrors of these deadly practices.

Yes, there is still so very much to do, and we need your help, we need your support. - Join Us - Create a Legacy that will save lives and live forever.