ABOUT US
Mission Statement
To aid in the early detection of Reye's Syndrome, and to educate the public and medical communities about the risk factor involved with the use of aspirin. To conduct awareness programs, the NRSF has brochures, bulletins, television and radio public service announcements, documentary and video/DVD presentations, widgets, blidgets, an App, websites and a blog.
To give the families experiencing the personal trauma of Reye's Syndrome emotional support and guidance.
To support investigation into the cause, management, treatment, and prevention of Reye's Syndrome, as well as study the impact the disease has had on survivors.
NRSF Yearly Programs
NRSF Yearly Programs
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136,000 Annual School Mailing: each year the NRSF mails out a notice to more than 136,000 schools across the United States, reminding School Nurses and Personnel to download our School Package for parents and caregivers.
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Baby Fairs and Health Fairs: Every year the NRSF supports Baby Fairs and Health Fairs across the United States with Reye's Syndrome information.
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Bi-Annual Newsletter: Twice a year, our 'In The News' comes out with Reye's Syndrome information and updates, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. This publication has been available to members and donors for more than 37 years.
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Student Projects: Whether student nurses, or doctors, or junior and senior high students, we support their projects and provide Reye's Syndrome literature and videos free for the asking.
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Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month: September is always Reye's Syndrome Awareness month - just in time for kids to go back to school! Working with our School Nurses, we get the word out: Kids and Aspirin Products DON'T Mix!
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Membership Drive: Our annual membership drive co-incides with Reye's Syndrome Awareness month, and anyone who joins the Foundation as a member receives a free Reye's Syndrome Awareness ribbon magnet like the one above!
NRSF Major Accomplishments
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Demanded and lobbied for mandatory warning labels on all over-the-counter medicines containing aspirin.
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Produced and distributes the award-winning Reye's Syndrome documentary "Reye's Syndrome: A Real and Present Danger."
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Developed and produced television and radio public service announcements featuring National Spokesperson, Dick Van Dyke.
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Establishes affiliates located throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia.
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Produced and distributes a medical DVD entitled "Reye's Syndrome And It's Mimickers"
-- Only available for medical professionals.
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Up-to-date websites, blog, widget, and blidgets.
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Created the Android App: Aspirin Sense and Sensitivity
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Published 4 books: NRSF: A 35 Year Memorial hard copy book, available on our website, and 3 other e-books about Reye's Syndrome and coping with chronic illness and death, available for all e-readers at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords and where ever ebooks are sold on the Internet.
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2011 ~ We worked with the FDA to encourage Bayer ConsumerCare HealthCare to remove the term" baby aspirin" from all marketing and packaging so as not to confuse consumers. Bayer agreed, and as of June 2012 - there will be no aspirin on retail shelves across the United States with the term 'baby aspirin' on the packaging.
History
1973, at 2:35 on Palm Sunday morning, a beautiful little five year old dies of Reye's Syndrome.
Her parents vow to find out what this mysterious disease is, and to find a cause and cure, so other children and their parents don't have to suffer like their child and family. The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation was born.
Children across the country were dying from this mysterious disease, and parents began contacting one another and finding the Foundation. Fundraising began for research, and the first Reye's Syndrome Research Laboratory was established by the NRSF at Ohio State University in 1980, with Dr. Brian Andresen as its lead researcher.
By this time, the Foundation had established a Board of Directors, 70 plus chapters across the United States, yearly meetings, a Scientific Advisory Board, Research Grants, a Medical Director, and was compiling Reye's Syndrome data.
In 1981, after extensive investigation, the CDC and the Ohio State Health Department issue warnings against the use of aspirin in regards to Reye's Syndrome. Epidemiology tests are showing that aspirin can trigger Reye's Syndrome.
The NRSF enrolls Dick Van Dyke, who lost a granddaughter to Reye's, as NRSF Spokesperson and begins producing Public Service Announcements for radio and TV, warning parents about Reye's Syndrome and the use of aspirin.
