Donating to a Patient Advocacy Organization You Can Trust

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly 50% of all revenue for patient advocacy organizations comes from individual donations. People now have an easy way to determine if that patient organization meets the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical practice. Simply visit the National Health Council (NHC) Giving Guide at www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/giving or look for the Standards of Excellence® logo on the organization's website.

The NHC Giving Guide provides links to current information about the leading national patient advocacy organizations that serve the needs of people with long-term diseases and disabilities and that have met the requirements of the NHC's Standards of Excellence Certification Program. The Giving Guide is easy to use, available 24/7, and dynamic, with links to detailed information provided by the organizations.

The Standards of Excellence® certification demonstrates that a patient advocacy organization maintains the highest standards of organizational effectiveness and public stewardship. These Standards are aligned with, but are more comprehensive than, the Standards for Charitable Accountability adopted by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. The NHC Standards are also unique to patient advocacy organizations.

Compliance with the Standards is determined through an analysis of an organization's documents, such as bylaws, audited financial statements, and annual reports, and the completion of an in-depth survey. This thorough review covers organization governance, human resources, programs, fundraising, finance, accounting and reporting, and evaluation practices.

More than 133 million people in the United States live with chronic diseases and disabilities, and the organizations that help these patients live better and healthier lives need public support to advance the development of new treatments and cures and improve patient access to appropriate health care.

To ensure that donation dollars go to a patient advocacy organization that will use the funds efficiently and effectively, the NHC Giving Guide can help people identify patient organizations they can trust.

For More Information:

• NHC Standards of Excellence Certification Program®: http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/pages/page-content.php?pageid=89

About the National Health Council – www.nationalhealthcouncil.org

Founded in 1920, the National Health Council (NHC) is the only organization of its kind that brings together all segments of the health community to provide a united voice for people living with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers. Made up of more than 100 national health-related organizations and businesses, its core membership includes the nation's leading patient advocacy organizations, which control its governance.

SOURCE National Health Council