Charlie Richter was a poster child for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia in the 1980s, with his pale skin, bald head, flat nose and kid-size dentures. What the images didn’t show was the most serious symptom of his genetic disorder: The inability to sweat.
Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness Month 2017
An estimated 3.5 of 10,000 people are affected by ectodermal dysplasias. Very few people have heard about these conditions or know about the challenges people with it face. You can help us change that number. Join the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) in our worldwide effort this February to raise awareness and funds for these…
Advocacy
By Beth Orchard I was told from an early age, I had the disorder, yet I was not diagnosed until my early thirties with x-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED). Being a young child with differences in my teeth, hair and skin (including lack of sweat glands) made me overly self-conscious. I was picked on and…
Fundraising? You Can Do this!
By Matt Nehrkorn Hi all! We are the Nehrkorn family from Wilsonville, Ore. We thought we were living an average everyday life until my youngest son, Oliver, turned 18 months of age. My wife, being a dental hygienist, found it odd that he had yet to pop his first tooth. We put him in her exam…
Evan’s Story
By Karen Forman My favorite quote of late has been Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. Thirty-three years ago, I was not that wise. Now I dance. Evan is a smart, engaging and talented adult with a unique beginning into this world. So, Evan…
Kick off the New Year by Becoming an NFED Smile Maker!
Join our quick, easy, and affordable monthly giving program, the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) Smile Makers, today! Thousands of affected families and individuals have turned to the NFED as a pillar of hope. Please grow and sustain our work so we can continue to support our friends and family affected by ectodermal dysplasias….
Volunteer Spotlight: Our Folders, Stuffers and Filers Oh My
When we asked some of our office volunteers why they volunteer for us, they mentioned an array of reasons from making a difference, helping others and learning new things. We welcome their assistance more than they ever know. Their help has been especially valuable during some of our hectic seasons, like the Family Conference, fundraising…
Important Discovery Made in AEC and EEC Research
By Maranke I. Koster, Ph.D. and Peter J. Koch, Ph.D., University of Colorado School of Medicine Since our last research update, we have been hard at work to understand the basis for skin and eye abnormalities that occur in patients affected by ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-clefting (AEC) syndrome and ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome. These two ectodermal dysplasias are caused…