February 2001

In honor of American Heart Month, February 2001, GuideStar asked nonprofits engaged in the fight against diseases to share their experiences.

From smoke-free workplaces to public service ads urging us to live healthy lifestyles, nonprofits dedicated to fighting diseases have had a tremendous impact on American life. The organizations continue to engage in an impressive range of activities.

As they work to achieve their missions, the groups must overcome many of the same problems confronting nonprofits throughout the independent sector. They also encounter additional difficulties arising from the nature of their work. Despite these challenges, the nonprofits' staffs and volunteers stay focused on their goals.

• Diverse Missions–Helping Others Cope with Illness
• Diverse Missions–Educating Patients and Their Families
• Diverse Missions–Informing Medical Professionals
• Diverse Missions–Supporting Research
• Special Challenges–Posed by the Diseases
• Special Challenges–Posed by Medical Advances
• Special Challenges–Posed by Bureaucracy
• The Rewards
• Sources