National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
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Name	National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
Formation	1938
Founder	Franklin D. Roosevelt, Basil O'Connor
Dissolution	1962, merged with The March of Dimes
Key people	Franklin D. Roosevelt, Basil O'Connor, Jonas Salk, Albert Sabin

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was a non-profit organization founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Basil O'Connor in 1938 to combat infantile paralysis, also known as poliomyelitis, with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. The organization's mission was to support research, treatment, and education to eradicate the disease, working closely with The Rockefeller Foundation, The Carnegie Corporation, and The American Red Cross. With the guidance of prominent figures like Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Emil von Behring, the foundation aimed to develop effective treatments and vaccines, such as the inactivated poliovirus vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and the oral poliovirus vaccine developed by Albert Sabin.

● History

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was established in response to the growing concern about the spread of poliomyelitis in the United States, with notable outbreaks in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The foundation's early efforts were focused on providing financial support to hospitals and research institutions, such as Columbia University, Harvard University, and Stanford University, to study the disease and develop treatments, in collaboration with organizations like The National Institutes of Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization also worked closely with presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower to raise awareness about the disease and promote public health initiatives, including the National Polio Immunization Program and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Key figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Nikita Khrushchev also supported the foundation's efforts, recognizing the global impact of the disease.

● Organization

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was led by Basil O'Connor, who served as the organization's president, and a board of trustees that included prominent individuals like Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie. The foundation had a network of local chapters and committees, which worked to raise funds and promote public awareness about the disease, in partnership with organizations like The American Medical Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and The World Health Organization. The organization also established a research program, which provided grants to scientists and researchers, including Linus Pauling, James Watson, and Francis Crick, to study the disease and develop new treatments, with support from institutions like The National Science Foundation and The European Molecular Biology Organization.

● Fundraising_and_Public_Awareness

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis launched several successful fundraising campaigns, including the March of Dimes, which was established in 1938 and became a annual event, with support from celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Hollywood, and Bing Crosby. The organization also produced public service announcements, posters, and other educational materials, featuring notable figures like Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Charles Darwin, to raise awareness about the disease and promote public health initiatives, in collaboration with organizations like The American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association. The foundation's efforts were supported by presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who helped to promote the organization's mission and raise funds for research and treatment, with the assistance of The United Nations, The World Bank, and The International Monetary Fund.

● Medical_Research_and_Treatment

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis played a significant role in supporting medical research and treatment for poliomyelitis, with grants to scientists and researchers, including Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, who developed the inactivated poliovirus vaccine and the oral poliovirus vaccine, respectively. The organization also established a network of treatment centers and hospitals, which provided care and rehabilitation to patients with the disease, in partnership with institutions like The Mayo Clinic, The Cleveland Clinic, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The foundation's research program helped to advance our understanding of the disease and develop new treatments, including the use of antibiotics and physical therapy, with support from organizations like The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

● Legacy_and_Impact

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis merged with The March of Dimes in 1962, but its legacy continues to be felt today, with the organization's efforts helping to eradicate poliomyelitis in the United States and reduce the incidence of the disease worldwide, thanks to the support of organizations like The World Health Organization, The United Nations Children's Fund, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation's research program and treatment centers helped to advance our understanding of the disease and develop new treatments, and its public awareness campaigns helped to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination and public health initiatives, with the assistance of notable figures like Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Jimmy Carter. The organization's impact can be seen in the work of The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to eradicate poliomyelitis worldwide, and the continued efforts of The March of Dimes to promote public health and support research and treatment for birth defects and infant health, in collaboration with institutions like The National Institutes of Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Category:Health organizations