The following sponsorship opportunities afford you the opportunity to help advance worthwhile programs, as well as benefit from your name being associated with that program. Please contact Jean Pickford, Executive Director, for more information at [email protected] or 215-619-0670.

Unrestricted General Donation F.I.R.S.T. continually needs general operating funds for the day-to-day expenses that are incurred with running a national foundation. An unrestricted donation in any amount would greatly add to our general operating funds and allow F.I.R.S.T. to improve other programs or services.

Membership Assistance Fund - $1000 The Membership Assistance Fund was established to help our members affected by ichthyosis to afford products and treatments that could improve their quality of life. The fund began from a one-time donation of $10,000 and continues to grow. Applicants are reviewed twice a year by a committee and your contribution to this fund will directly benefit those people in need. F.I.R.S.T. will provide a quarter page advertisement in an issue of Ichthyosis Focus, our quarterly newsletter, which is mailed to 3,300 households, reaching approximately 8,000 affected individuals.

Newsletter Sponsorship - $5000 Every three months, F.I.R.S.T. produces a newsletter that is mailed to 3,300 homes, reaching approximately 8,000 affected individuals. The newsletter is read cover-to-cover by all our members and is an essential link to families affected by ichthyosis. By helping to underwrite the newsletter, you will help offset the printing, design and mailing costs associated with its production. F.I.R.S.T. will provide one full-page advertisement and your company name and logo in a banner on the front cover recognizing your level of support.

Publications - $5000 Our publications are a great resource for our members, new parents and professionals. These publications supply vital information about ichthyosis, its causes and its treatments. F.I.R.S.T. has several publications already in existence: our general brochure; Ichthyosis, An Overview; Ichthyosis, The Genetics of its Inheritance; Ichthyosis, A Guide for Teachers; Release the Butterfly, A Handbook for Parents & Caregivers of Children with Ichthyosis. These publications continually need to be updated with the latest information. A donation to this fund will enable F.I.R.S.T. to update these publications or create a new publication with helpful tips for parents of school-aged children. F.I.R.S.T. will recognize your company by printing your name and logo on the publication.

Awareness Mailing - $8000 Every dermatologist, genetic counselor, pediatrician and general practice physician in the country should have information about the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types to give to their patients. Unfortunately, there are still many physicians who see patients affected by ichthyosis and do not know our foundation exists and is available to provide support to these families. Your contribution will help to underwrite the costs associated with printing, designing and mailing of a postcard to these physicians. F.I.R.S.T. will recognize your company by printing your name and logo on the postcard which would be seen by these physicians.

Research Program Fund - General Donation In 1998, F.I.R.S.T. was able to fund its first research grant through the Dermatology Foundation. The foundation has committed itself to funding more grants for research in the upcoming years. There is an enormous amount of research that needs to be conducted to identify gene mutations, develop testing to identify carriers and find a cure. Your contribution to this fund will benefit everyone who is affected by ichthyosis in the present and in the future. Depending on the level of support, recognition of your company will be tailored to your meet your needs.