DebRA of America Wins Google Grant For AdWords Utilization

With an AdWords Google Grant, The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association (DebRA) gets closer to their goal: a cure for the 50,000 children affected by epidermolysis bullosa every year and continued support of the families affected by the disease.

New York, NY (PRWEB) November 9, 2008 -- The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association (DebRA) of America receives a Google Grant that will significantly aid their work that focuses on the support of children and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and the funding of research undertaken to find a cure for the disease. DebRA's Google Grant consists of in-kind keyword advertising using Google AdWords. DebRA will utilize AdWords to raise awareness about EB and their efforts to support affected families and fund research.

DebRA is the only national 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization dedicated to both promoting research to find new treatments and a cure for EB and providing information, care and support for people with EB and their families. The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

DebRA's Executive Director, Mary Sprague, states, "We are the only national organization dedicated to supporting families affected by EB and funding peer-reviewed research around the country. Recent accomplishments in each area of our work put us in a good place, and it is my hope that the Google Grant will help us reach out to more children and families in 2009. They are our heroes."

EB is a serious genetic skin disease that affects 1 out of every 50,000 children born each year. Patients are called "Butterfly Children" because their skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wings. Large areas of their bodies must be bandaged at all times because the gentlest touch can cause blisters and friction can cause painful, open wounds. Sun exposure causes these same symptoms, which require constant, acute care by their families.

DebRA is encouraged by the Google Grant because it kicks off their efforts to gain 12 corporate sponsors in 2009, one for each month of the year. DebRA continues work to garner sponsors in conjunction with The Laidlaw Group, a Boston-based full-service advertising firm providing integrated communications solutions and strategic design products to help clients intelligently meet and exceed their business goals.

Principal of The Laidlaw Group, Cindy Laidlaw, states, "Many of our clients have great success with AdWords. Because search engine queries determine which ad is displayed, AdWords brings together like-minded interests of the viewer and the advertiser, automatically! I am confident that AdWords will become a valuable tool for DebRA as they work to raise awareness about their efforts in 2009."

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program harnessing the power of Google AdWords advertising product. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.

Find DebRA on the web www.debra.org. Contact Mary Sprague at 212.868.1573 for more information about DebRA's programs that support children and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and fund research to find a cure for the disease. Contact Cassandra Nicholson at 617.423.2801 x203 for more information on this news story.

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