Money, money, money,
money---------M-O-N-E-Y. So goes the
theme song that introduces each
weekly episode of “The Apprentice”,
Donald Trump’s “contribution” to
reality TV. NEMSN bears absolutely
no resemblance to Mr. Trump or The
Apprentice. However, it requires
money to provide services.
NEMSN members, friends of the
organization and victims of EMS have
been very generous. Over the past
four years that I have served as
NEMSN’s Treasurer, $22,000 in
donations have landed in my mailbox,
destined for NEMSN’s bank account.
For such a small group, we have big
hearts and a lofty willingness to
donate----money, energy and time.
Yes, I receive $5 checks, $25 money
orders, the occasional three-digit
donation and, very rarely
thankfully, greenbacks. All are
deposited expeditiously. All,
regardless of their size or
frequency, generate a written thank
you. All make a difference!
In 2004, NEMSN prudently spent a
substantial sum of money. $8,159 to
be precise. This covered our normal
expenses for producing and
distributing the newsletter ($1,200
per issue). NEMSN continued with its
upgrade of our webpage (nemsn.org).
The NEMSN Board of Directors
continued to meet by conference call
(averaging $125 per meeting call;
eight calls in 2004). In other words
and regarding the past four years,
NEMSN typically expends $4,000 -
$5,000 annually to provide you with
information, access, assistance and,
hopefully, a sense of “being in this
together.”
The Board of Directors decided last
summer to participate directly in
the National Institutes of Health
conference on EMS conducted in
October, 2004 in Bethesda, Maryland.
The conference was borne out of
NEMSN’s successful congressional
lobbying two years ago. NEMSN
incurred approximately $4,100 in
one-time extraordinary costs. It was
money well spent as several of the
other articles in this issue
explain. The Board made numerous
personal contacts with key
scientists, providers and
clinicians. We got a sense of what
future research opportunities could
be pursued to address EMS and other
immune-mediated diseases. We sent a
face-to-face message to those who
have studied EMS – but don’t have to
live with it daily. In other words,
the Board used your generous
contributions wisely and
effectively. The Board members
returned home from the conference
reinvigorated, realistic and with
restored hope.
NEMSN ended 2004 with $7,132 in the
bank. $2,400 of that is designated
solely, per your previous donations,
for resolving issues regarding the
MDL documents. It cannot be used for
other purposes. Therefore, we start
2005 with about the amount of money
($4,732) it takes to provide basic
services and conduct our normal
business.
Like many nonprofit organizations,
NEMSN hit a bump in the road
regarding total contributions
received during 2004. NEMSN
contributions totaled $2,923,
substantially under amounts from
previous years. The Board hopes that
you can find it in your heart and
resources to contribute more in
2005. Possibilities for renewed
research, new congressional
language, an ever-improving webpage,
our periodic newsletter all
take-------money! Contribute if you
can. Contribute more if you can.
And, whether you contribute or not,
NEMSN is about all of us.
