Charity Spotlight: DEBRA Australia
For people diagnosed with Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), the slightest touch can cause an outbreak of skin blisters making simple daily activities a painful process.
DEBRA (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association) Australia is a charitable organization that provides resources, medical support and awareness for children and families throughout Australia who are affected by this chronic skin disorder. The MDRT Foundation awarded a USD 2,500 grant to DEBRA Australia to help fund their National Rapid Response EB Nurse Program. This grant was sponsored by Frederick L. Gordon, a 15-year MDRT member from Sydney, Australia.
EB is a rare skin condition that causes chronic pain and in some cases can eventually lead to disfigurement for people diagnosed with this disorder. Since there is currently no cure for EB, treatment includes a daily procedure of bandaging the affected areas to prevent further damage or skin infections. EB can also attack membranes in the mouth, throat and esophagus making eating and drinking very painful.
DEBRA’s Australia’s National Response EB Nurse Program was created to provide training and resources to pediatric nurses who treat infants in the early stages of an EB diagnosis. Because EB is such a rare genetic disorder, there is a great need to educate the medical community on best practices for effective treatment of this condition.
According to DEBRA International, it is estimated that more than 500,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with EB. DEBRA Australia was founded in 2005 to provide an educational and emotional support system for children and families affected by this disorder.
