6 Research Organizations Working To Cure Devastating Diseases

Health issues can affect anyone, and can be devastating both physically and financially. Luckily, there are organizations out there that are working to provide better care for all kinds of patients. If you want to help fund critical research looking for ways to cure diseases, consider supporting the six groups listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Organizations Doing Important Medical Research

Organization Location Mission
The National Center for Health Research Washington, DC Improve the quality of medical care and public health for everyone
Texas Biomedical Research Institute San Antonio, TX Pioneer and share scientific breakthroughs that protect people from the threat of infectious diseases
Accelerated Cure Project Waltham, MA Accelerate efforts toward a cure for multiple sclerosis by rapidly advancing research that determines its causes and mechanisms
Van Andel Institute Grand Rapids, MI Improve the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations
Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research Manhasset, NY Bridge the gap between biomedical research and patient care by collaborating with clinicians to shed light on the basic biological processes underlying disease
Cure Alzheimer's Fund Wellesley Hills, MA Provide research grants to the world's leading scientists researching Alzheimer’s disease

Phases of Medical Research

  1. Basic medical research: Establishes an understanding of the issue and its effects on humans
  2. Preclinical research: Figures out how best to test an experimental treatment or cure
  3. Clinical research: Research is done on real people, under the supervision of physicians in a medical setting

Fields of Biomedical Research

  • Aging
  • Anatomy
  • Angiology
  • Behavioral health
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomaterials
  • Cancer
  • Cellular biology
  • Chemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Epigenetics
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Nanomaterials
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Palliative Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Preventive medicine
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Public Health
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Toxicology
  • Virology

The Journey of Medical Research

In Depth

Medical research is the primary means we have of battling the most harmful illnesses. Everybody has some type of personal connection to the suffering caused by diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, or multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. It is thus imperative that this research gets the proper financial and logistical support it needs. In no particular order, here are 6 Research Organizations Working to Cure Devastating Diseases.

Up first at #1 on the list is The National Center for Health Research, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on research that can improve the health of adults and children. The center does not accept funding from companies that make medical treatments, meaning that it is a trustworthy voice providing information on prevention, treatment, and policy. Its largest program is the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund.

The Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund helps everyone reduce their risks of getting all types of cancer, and assists them in choosing the safest and most effective treatments. Those looking to help out can do so through donation, attending events, or even by participating in the Center's professional and internship training.

The Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund helps everyone reduce their risks of getting all types of cancer, and assists them in choosing the safest and most effective treatments.

Next up at #2 is the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, one of the world's leading independent biomedical research organizations. The Institute is dedicated to the advancement of human health through basic research into the nature, causes, prevention and eradication of disease. Specifically, it utilizes innovative thinking, creative problem solving, and cutting edge technologies to unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases.

Since its founding in 1941 by Thomas B. Slick Jr., the Texas Biomedical Research Institute has gained worldwide recognition in scientific and academic communities for the quality of its basic research. Its scientists work each and every day to improve human health. Those interested in supporting the Institute and its mission can do so by contributing financially.

At #3 is the Accelerated Cure Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating research efforts to improve diagnosis, to optimize treatment, and to cure multiple sclerosis. A.C.P. believes that research is the only way to greatly improve the outlook for people with M.S.. The organization's innovative approach enables M.S. research to advance rapidly and catalyzes collaborative efforts toward a significant impact on this devastating disease.

A.C.P. believes that research is the only way to greatly improve the outlook for people with M.S..

This non-profit promotes collaboration and accelerates research, by rapidly and cost-effectively providing scientists with the data and biospecimens they need to explore novel research ideas, that can lead to better care for people with M.S.. Its resources have supported 70 studies worldwide, and generated almost 300 million returned data points for collaborative data mining and disease modeling. Volunteering and donating directly are both effective ways of supporting the Accelerated Cure Project.

Coming in at #4 on the list is the Van Andel Institute, an independent biomedical research and science education organization, committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, V.A.I. has grown into a premiere research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff.

The research division of V.A.I. is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. Its educational counterpart is dedicated to strengthening science education through programs that provide hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities across the entire educational spectrum. Those looking to help out can do so by attending the non-profit's community outreach events, volunteering, or donating.

Those looking to help out can do so by attending the non-profit's community outreach events, volunteering, or donating.

At #5 is The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, the home of research at Northwell Health. Its researchers work to transform the treatment of conditions like lupus, arthritis, sepsis, cancer, psychiatric illness and Alzheimer's disease. As the global headquarters of bioelectronic medicine, this non-profit is exploring ways to raise the standard of medical innovation, and are using electronic devices to signal the body to heal itself.

The organization is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical research studies, and 4,000 working on the cutting edge of scientific inquiry. They make breakthroughs in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity and bioelectronic medicine. To support these efforts, one can donate directly to the Institutes.

#6 on the list is the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, a non-profit working with the world's leading scientists to pursue the cure for Alzheimer's. Frustrated with the slow pace of research about the disease, the Fund applied its experience in venture capital and corporate startups to build an organization specifically designed to accelerate research, make bold bets, and eradicate this illness.

Frustrated with the slow pace of research about the disease, the Fund applied its experience in venture capital and corporate startups to build an organization specifically designed to accelerate research, make bold bets, and eradicate this illness.

Since its founding in 2004, the non-profit has provided research grants for some of the most significant breakthroughs in the field. This unrelenting commitment is helping to develop a better understanding of the disease ... and will ultimately contribute to the cure. Those looking to support Cure Alzheimer's Fund and its mission can do so by contributing financially.