Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation Blog

Your Generosity Can Change Lives: The Power of Giving Tuesday

Among the busyness of the holiday season, don’t forget to pause and reflect on the friends, family and organizations that have positively impacted your 2023 year. Giving Tuesday, which is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is a global movement that encourages people to contribute to the charitable organizations that largely influence their lives. As you harness compassion and generosity during this season of giving, consider extending it to the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Foundation. Participating in Giving Tuesday at the RLS Foundation is an opportunity to make a difference and support those suffering from this often devastating disease.

The Impact of Giving Tuesday

Your participation in Giving Tuesday is essential for providing the means to fund critical research that aims to improve diagnosis methods, better our understanding of RLS, and develop more effective treatments. You become part of the solution to this complex medical challenge. Further, Giving Tuesday offers a unique opportunity to connect with the RLS community. People from all walks of life come together with a shared purpose – to support those living with RLS. You can become part of a supportive network that provides comfort and encouragement to individuals and families affected by RLS.

Education and Awareness

Another crucial aspect of the RLS Foundation’s mission is enhanced education and awareness. Through Giving Tuesday donations, the Foundation can create and distribute valuable resources, organize awareness campaigns, and promote a better understanding of RLS among healthcare professionals and the public. Our resources include over 30 patient handouts, a monthly webinar series, a quarterly magazine NightWalkers, and a free physician education webinar series. By participating in this annual event, you help dispel the misconceptions and stigmas often associated with the condition.

The Joy of Giving

Your participation in Giving Tuesday at the RLS Foundation extends far beyond just supporting a good cause; it’s also about experiencing the joy of giving. The act of contributing to something greater than oneself can be immensely fulfilling. Knowing that your donation, no matter how small, can make a difference in someone’s life is a powerful motivator and a source of personal satisfaction.

The importance of Giving Tuesday lies in its ability to inspire philanthropy and unity and serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can collectively achieve as a community. Your participation will further our outreach related to RLS research, advocacy and education. So, mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 28, open your heart, and make a meaningful contribution this Giving Tuesday to help the RLS Foundation in its mission to improve the lives of countless individuals living with RLS.

The Knowledge and Comfort of Knowing You Are Not Alone = Priceless

For 31 years, the RLS Foundation has been dedicated to improving the lives of the men, women and children who live with RLS by increasing awareness, improving treatments, and funding research to find a cure for this often-devastating disease. The RLS Foundation is proud to have the only dedicated RLS Research Grant Program, which funds promising research. We are a patient services organization, committed to ensuring those in the RLS community have access to top-notch resources, support, information and much more. Membership dues from our cherished members are the lifeblood of this organization, and our work can’t be done without you, our members.

FIVE REASONS WHY YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS BENEFICIAL

1. ACCESS TO EXPERT RESOURCES

Members can tap into a wealth of knowledge about RLS, including the latest research, treatment options and management techniques. The Foundation offers comprehensive educational materials, such as educational brochures, open-access articles and webinars, which can empower you with a deeper understanding of your disease. All of our publications are available for immediate download through our Member Portal, as well as an archive of webinars on a variety of topics. Our materials are rigorously reviewed and edited by members of our Scientific and Medical Advisory Board. These RLS experts volunteer their time and expertise to ensure all our materials are up-to-date and scientifically accurate.

2. A CARING AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Being an RLS Foundation member means you have access to a support system made up of thousands of individuals living with RLS across the globe who can empathize with what you are going through. You are no longer alone in your RLS journey. An RLS Foundation membership gives you discounted pricing on events such as our upcoming National RLS Patient Symposium, where you will meet individuals from all over the country and foster lifelong connections with those in your same shoes. Sharing personal stories, triumphs and challenges with others who can relate provides a sense of camaraderie and emotional support that can be invaluable for individuals coping with RLS.

3. CREATING YOUR LEGACY THROUGH ADVOCACY

Members of the RLS Foundation have the chance to actively participate in advocacy efforts that aim to raise awareness about RLS and improve the lives of those living with the disease. Through the Foundation’s initiatives, you can contribute to public policy discussions, promote research funding, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to advance the understanding and treatment of RLS. By joining forces with like-minded individuals and making your voice heard, you have the power to affect meaningful change and make a lasting impact on the RLS community for future generations to come.

4. THE ONLY DEDICATED RLS RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM

As an RLS Foundation member, you contribute to the Foundation’s efforts to fund research and drive advancements in the field of RLS. The financial support from membership fees and donations directly fuels research projects such as small clinical trials to investigate new treatment options, with the end goal of finding a cure. By actively supporting these initiatives, you play an instrumental role in accelerating progress, ultimately benefiting not only yourself but also future generations affected by RLS.

5. EXCLUSIVE MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS

In addition to the broader benefits of knowledge, community, advocacy and research advancements, RLS Foundation members enjoy exclusive perks. These include discounts on RLS Foundation merchandise in our online store, priority registration for events and conferences, and access to special member-only content in the Member Portal on our website. Four times a year, each member receives our quarterly news magazine, NightWalkers, which is meticulously planned, written and edited to deliver news about the latest happenings at the RLS Foundation and in the RLS realm. Our members also receive our Special Accommodations Card for use when traveling, along with our Medical Alert Card, which outlines medications that often trigger RLS and provides safe alternatives.

From gaining access to expert resources and support from a community of peers, to actively participating in advocacy efforts and contributing to research advancements, an RLS Foundation membership offers a comprehensive range of benefits. By joining or renewing, individuals not only empower themselves with knowledge and support but also contribute to the overall mission of improving the understanding and treatment of RLS to improve the quality of life for those living with the disease. The nominal fee to join or renew your membership is $40, but the benefits that come with it bring peace of mind in knowing that you are a member of an active and supportive community that alone is priceless.