The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Well before the world knew what 2020 would bring, our eye was on growth. We brought two new organizations, the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation and GenTAC Alliance, into the Foundation and saw the completion of a very successful first year of our VEDS division, The VEDS Movement. We accomplished this while also supporting a thriving and engaged community, providing answers to people around the world through our Help & Resource Center, and educating thousands through our countless webinars and educational sessions. We were also already taking advantage of virtual platforms to educate, inform, and support people globally regardless of their geography. As the entire world adjusted to living and working through hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, we were well-positioned for the virtual world. When in-person programs and services became impossible in the second half of our year, we quickly pivoted to offer even more timely and meaningful virtual opportunities. For example, in the first half of our signature 2020 Walk for Victory program, we held 8 in-person Walks with 1,684 participants. By the second half, Walk for Victory transitioned into a fully online program, with 13 Walks done virtually. By March 2020, the Walk program had raised 35% more as compared to the same time period the previous year and participation was up 20%. Not surprisingly, our community stepped up despite the change in circumstances. By the final virtual Walk in May, 142 teams, including Team VEDS at each Walk, raised $650,000 to support the Foundation’s education, patient support, and research programs. These programs reach more than 200,000 patients, families, and physicians annually. The Global Virtual Walk for Victory was introduced in late 2019 to connect our community abroad and in parts of the U.S. where we did not schedule in-person Walks. As the year progressed, it proved to be a fortuitous plan, as many of the traditionally in-person Walk for Victory events also went virtual!