Greetings! Welcome to the NFDF website, the doorway to our organization. As the Founder and President, this has been an important time for me personally and I hope for the entire Fabry community.

The opening of the NFDF website marked the beginning of a new journey in my life. As a person with Fabry disease, I knew first-hand how frightening and challenging this disease can be. However, during these first few years as part of the NFDF I have also learned much about what is being done to support the Fabry community. My discussions with physicians, other healthcare providers, other individuals with Fabry disease, their families, and other support organizations have made me realize there is still so much work to be done. Relatively few people in the world who carry the Fabry gene have been diagnosed. As such, they have not been given the opportunity to learn about proper management and treatment options for this progressive and destructive disease.

In the U.S. alone, only two to three thousand of the many thousands of people who are estimated to have the Fabry gene are believed to be aware of their disease. This is a great tragedy for many individuals and their families who need help now, before they needlessly suffer the often severe consequences of this disease.

On behalf of the National Fabry Disease Foundation directors, staff and members, we look forward to the opportunity to work along side others in the Fabry community to take actions that improve the lives of individuals with Fabry disease. As a soon to be retired Colonel in the Army, I am leaving behind my job in support of one tragic war to engage more deliberately in support of another tragic war. Like the current global war on terrorism, our war with Fabry disease has claimed the lives of many individuals at an early age, and also leaves many others suffering with a diminished quality of life. Please join me in fighting this critical fight. Together, we can make a huge positive impact on the lives of so many others. We can educate, help to identify those affected, provide assistance, support continued research, and be a strong advocate for action.

Be healthy, be happy and be safe!

Please read:  Jerry Walter ... one path, one perspective, one promise

Sincerely, Jerry Walter
Founder and President 
National Fabry Disease Foundation (NFDF)