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TAX DEDUCTIBILITY
For the majority of people who no longer itemize their charitable giving, the CARES Act — legislation Congress passed in response to the COVID-19 crisis — will allow these individual taxpayers to deduct donations to charity of up to $300 on their 2020 federal tax return, even though they take the standard deduction. Married-filing-jointly taxpayers will get an above-the-line deduction of up to $600.
One mission. One community. Your Foundation.
To say 2020 has had a rough first half is an understatement but I am thankful to report that through these challenging times the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has remained fully operational. Where other organizations have had to pause their work amidst a financially uncertain future, the Foundation has ramped up its activities recognizing that mesothelioma hasn’t stopped or slowed down. In addition to our regular services, we are now also helping our patients navigate treatment in light of disruptions and limitations endemic within healthcare.
Here is how we have stayed focused on our mission and the needs of the mesothelioma community:
SUPPORT
- Our Mesothelioma Support Groups continue uninterrupted, as do our Patient Guidance & Support Services and our Patient Travel Grant program – all provided free of charge, and supported by the generosity of our donors and sponsors.
- For patients needing treatment, COVID-19 has added a layer of complexity to an already difficult-to-navigate treatment landscape. We have been working with patients to identify best ways to manage their disease as treatment centers paused surgeries and clinical trials and made treatment more difficult to obtain. As the country continues to move toward re-opening, we will continue to provide patients with the most up-to-date information they need to make informed decisions and to make them quickly.
RESEARCH
- Our peer-reviewed Research Grant program likewise remains fully operational in 2020 despite the pandemic. Guided by our Board of Directors and Science Advisory Board, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has approved $300,000 to be awarded to three new mesothelioma research projects, bringing our total research funding to $10.5 million.
EDUCATION
- As you know, earlier this year we had to make the difficult but necessary decision to forgo our International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma. We fully intend to resume our Symposium as soon as conditions permit and the health and well-being of our community is assured.
- Therefore, we have created a virtually-delivered education and outreach program called MesoTV to keep our community well-informed and empowered.
- Our Meet the Meso Experts broadcast series, with which many of you are already familiar, remains an important part of our support and education programs.
ADVOCACY
- Our work to fund a national mesothelioma patient registry continues. This fiscal year and last fiscal year Congress appropriated a total of $200,000 for a feasibility study through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We are working on a request for this fiscal year for an additional $300,000 to complete the project. Learn here how patient registries help advance scientific research into difficult-to-treat diseases.
With all of this in mind, I humbly ask that you consider a making a gift today at a level that is right for you. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on charitable contributions to fund our work. We never forget that we exist because of and for you.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your support and encouragement.
In solidarity,
Mary Hesdorffer, NP
Executive Director
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
