About FDRS

The Fat Disorders Research Society is a National Organization dedicated to the research of rare, progressive, debilitating disorders of the adipose (fat) tissue.

The Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization,  incorporated in the State of Wisconsin in 2009. The Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. is dedicated to raising research funds for treatments and cures of Dercum’s Disease, Lipedema, Madelung’s Disease (MSL),  Familial Multiple Lipomatosis (FML), and other rare disorders related to the abnormal distribution of fat,  and the underlying pain and other symptoms that are hallmarks of these rare disorders.

The Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. exists to raise funds for research into these rare  painful diseases, that were discovered as far back as 1888, and yet go unresearched and virtually unheard of in the medical community.

Many patients with fat disorders have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, only to be told to lose weight, exercise, and/or seek psychological help.  They have been denied the medical care they so desperately needed.  Although there are no cures, there are treatments that may alleviate some pain and other symptoms, including dietary restrictions, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), and supplements and medications to reduce inflammation and pain.  Our goal is that one day medical professionals will readily recognize the symptoms of Dercum’s Disease, Madelung’s Disease, Lipedema, Lipo-Lymphedema, and Multiple Familial Lipomatosis, as well as the other fat disorders.  Fat disorders research is currently inadequate and grossly underfunded.

The Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. will be exploring all options to remedy this lack of funding.

The Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. has no paid employees and is presently funded solely by individual contributors.  Because we are a newly formed non-profit organization representing several ‘orphan diseases’, we face major challenges.  We need to spread awareness and secure funding for research through donations and grants. It is our hope that the Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. will be a catalyst for awareness and research, through fundraising, an enthusiastic membership, and this website.

Fat Disorders Research Society, Inc. Board of Directors/Officers for 2012

President/Director	Damien Moore
Secretary	Dina Green
Treasurer	Tina Tranfaglia
Medical Advisor	Karen Herbst, PhD, MD
	Heidi Sykora

To see the complete list of Medical & Scientific Advisors, click here.

We are currently a small board of directors, with members being fat disorders patients or family members.  We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers wishing to help with fundraising, generating awareness, helping to plan or run a conference, legal advice, PR, SEO, and more.   If you are interested in working with us, please send an email to TinaTranfaglia@fatdisorders.org.

If you are a medical/research professional and would like to serve on our Medical Advisory Board, please contact KarenHerbst@fatdisorders.org.