The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of neurological patients by promoting patient education and understanding of disease processes, physician and health care personnel education, new treatments and therapies that improve the lives of neurological patients, and health care delivery, public awareness and understanding of neurologic disease.

Modern medicine is becoming increasingly complex and specialized. This is especially true for the field of neurology. Research into the causes and treatments of a multitude of neurological diseases, ranging from Alzheimer's, to migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and strokes, is proceeding at a breathtaking pace. While these advances are exciting and have the potential to alleviate many of these disorders, they also present many challenges to both neurologists and their patients in terms of continuing education and research.

Of foremost importance is the issue of education, for both patients and physicians. To provide the best possible care, our neurologists must keep abreast of the latest developments in their field. Patients also must be informed of the latest treatments and techniques so that they can better understand their illnesses and treatments and actively participate in managing their care.

Of almost equal importance is research. Advances in patient care can come only through the dedicated efforts of researchers. Many of the neurologists at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology are deeply committed to patient-care oriented investigations such as trials of new drugs and ways to measure disease activity and modify current treatments to make them more effective.

With these goals in mind, The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation was created. It is a tax-exempt, noprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to specifically support education and research programs at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology. With such support, our physicians will achieve even greater levels of excellence in the care of their patients.

The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation has sponsored programs to achieve these goals. Funds from our Foundation have been used to:

• Support the "We Care" MS Fair, at which persons with MS and their families learned of the many facilities and vendors of services and equipment available to persons with disabilities.

• Produce a video for persons newly diagnosed with MS. This video, which provides the most current information about diagnosis and treatment, was distributed free of charge to all MS patients cared for by our Clinic.

• Install computer driven educational kiosks in our Clinics to allow our patients access to the latest information about their illnesses via the Internet and our website.

Our Foundation relies on your generosity to help meet the growing demand for education and research. With your help, The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation will have the resources to support its vital mission now and in the future.

Making a Tax Deductible Donation

Our Foundation relies on the continued, generous support of individuals and organizations who share our goals. Charitable, tax-free financial support for the Foundation may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including:

Directly, with checks to The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation, 4225 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, MN 55422. Corporations also can make matching gifts to further support their employees' contributions.

Appreciated assets, such as stocks or other securities, which can be liquidated following dates of ownership transfer to avoid taxable capital gains.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), an increasingly popular giving option that provides lifetime income to the donor and distributes its remaining principal to charity.

Please consult your financial advisor for guidance.

Physicians of the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology have subspecialty expertise in various diseases, and currently develop and conduct clinic, educational and research programs in multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, stroke, headaches, neuromuscular diseases, movement disorders, etc. Donations can be directed to specific programs at the Clinic through The Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology Medical Foundation. For more information about making a tax-deductible donation, please contact Ms. Marilyn Balfanz, Executive Director, at 763.588.0661.