Background
The Familial Dysautonomia Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting medical treatment, research, awareness and social services for people afflicted with Familial Dysautonomia (FD). FD is a rare genetic disease present at birth in Jewish individuals which impairs the autonomic and sensory nervous systems. The Foundation funds treatment centers at NYU Medical Center and at Hadassah Hospital.
We provided public relations support to increase awareness and encourage funding of this “orphan” disease among parents, healthcare professionals, Jews and the general public. We developed press materials, consulted on the organization’s brochures and arranged media interviews for Dr. Felicia Axelrod, the Medical Director of the New York treatment center. We also promoted a gala fund-raiser at Christie’s Auction House and an annual Foundation event held at NYU Medical Center for families.
Results
The Christie’s event was a huge success in terms of media coverage and donations.
Our efforts greatly increased visibility of The Familial Dysautonomia Center among parents and physicians seeking information, treatment and support.
Millions of people in the New York metropolitan area and across the U.S. learned about the disease through our media placements including those in these outlets:
CNN, INN, WNYW-TV (5), WNBC-TV (4), WABC-TV (7), News 12 Long Island, Parents Magazine, Houston Post, The New York Daily News, Westchester-Rockland Newspapers, Star-Ledger, The Jewish Week, The Jewish Journal, The Jewish News, Medical Tribune, California Jewish Press, Long Island Jewish World, Yiddish Forward, Buffalo Jewish Review, Lifestyles Magazine, and The Jewish Standard.