Causes: Health, Specifically Named Diseases, Specifically Named Diseases Research

Mission: Founded in 2005, the APS Foundation of America, Inc. is the only United States nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing national awareness to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), the major cause of multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks. We are a volunteer run, community based 501(c)3 non-profit Public Charity organization and is dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, support, public awareness, research and patient services. The APSFA's Medical Advisory Team includes nationally & internationally recognized experts on Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

Results: 2010 Year in Review (These are in no particular order.) * Maintained 501(c)3 Non Profit Status granted under Section 170, 2055, 2106, 2522. We also were granted an advanced ruling as a Public Charity. * Filed Taxes. * Registered to solicit in the states we were required to do so. * Updated APSFA Booklet and reprinted it. * Updated APS Foundation of America, Inc brochure and reprinted it. * Made all brochure & booklets that have bibliographies available – available online. * Published quarterly newsletters that are available free to the public on our website – benefited at least 400,000 people. * Donated & Mailed Brochures & Booklets –benefited at least 20,000 people. * Donated Printed Publications to Public Libraries – Unknown number of people benefited. * Invited to several large professional medical conferences. * Attended 13th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies. * Bronze Sponsor for the 13th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies. * Sponsored & provided the prize for the winner of the Young Investigators Award presented at the 13th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies. * Sponsored the Autoimmune Diseases Summit: The Global State of Autoimmunity Today. * Attended the What Every American Needs to Know about Autoimmune Disease sponsored by the AARDA in both MA & MO. * Represented at the Annual Venous Disease Coalition Meeting. * Represented at the UCDavis Health System: Update on the Management of Thromboembolic Disorders. * Represented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting * Represented at the Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter Living Well With Lupus Symposium. * Represented at the AARDA Global Summit: The Global State of Autoimmunity Today at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York. * Became members of the Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis. * Networking with other Non-Profit Organizations and medical professionals. * Maintained our Webpage –benefiting 142,143 people based on the index page. * Maintained the forum to make it more user friendly – benefiting 189,281 people. * Maintained HONCode Certification on APS Foundation of America, Inc. * Maintained HONCode Certification on APS Friends & Support Forum. * Earned the GuideStar Exchange Seal: Partner in Trust. * Awarded “The Hope Reward”. Our website now joins a select group of health websites that adheres to the highest standards of health information quality, ethical behavior, and respect for consumer privacy. * Working on obtaining the Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity Status. * Maintained several blogs & pages on various social networking sites on various servers to get awareness out – benefited at least 500,000 people. * Launched June 9th as World APS Awareness Day. * Continued June as APS Awareness Month. * Launched press releases – benefited at least 50,000 people. * Launched Radio Public Service Announcements – benefited at least 1,000,000. * Fundraisers: o Café Press – approx 370 items sold o World APS Day Items – approx 30 items sold o APSFA’s 5 Year Birthday Party – 17 participated o Holiday Related: * Giving Tree – 32 participated * Café Press Collectors Edition – 34 participated * Made Press in 3 different media venues that we are aware of – at least 100,000,000 people benefited o House, MD – “Instant Karma” (original air date: 10/15/09) – benefited at least 16,000,000 people. o Mystery Diagnosis – “Falling Through the Cracks” (re- aired several times, original air date: 3/6/2006) - unknown how many people benefited o The Beatles Network (APS Awareness month world wide awareness.) * Forum Information: o Average Number of Visitors: 3,971/month - High: 4,460 - Low: 3,560 o Average Number of Visits: 10,493/month – High: 12,183 – Low: 8,683 o Average Max Online: 17/month – High: 28 – Low: 10 o Average Page Views: 33,502 – High: 41,595 – Low: 27,073 o Average Number Posts: 583/month – High: 970 – Low: 228 o Average Number of Private Messages: 143 – High: 241 – Low: 83 o Number of Participants: 1,962 Recommendations: * Continue to find more avenues for fundraising. * Continue to collaborate with more organizations (both lay & professional). * Attend or have materials available for more conferences. * Apply for more grants. * Continue to search for more medical advisers. * Continue to attempt getting APS mentioned in more publications, including magazines. * Continue to making more videos and learn how to make podcasts. * Consider tapping in more social networking sites. * Consider going to a Board of Directors of 5, including one medical adviser & one public non-APS person. * Consider making June 9th World APS Awareness Day formally via a bill through Congress. * Consider making June APS Awareness Month formally via a bill through Congress. * Consider making a Scholarship fund for those going into the Medical Field. * Consider making a formal Scholarship fund for APS Research.

Geographic areas served: USA

Programs: To provide information and education on antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

to support research regarding antiphosholipid antibody syndrome