The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) is a non-profit organization that assists people who have albinism. NOAH was created in 1982 and is based in East Hampstead, New Hampshire.
Through its advocacy efforts, publications and events, NOAH offers information and support to people with albinism, their families and the professionals who work with them. Albinism is a genetic condition that results in individuals having little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair. They have inherited altered genes that do not make the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin. One person in 17,000 in the United States has some type of albinism. Albinism affects people from all races. Most children with albinism are born to parents who have normal hair and eye color for their ethnic backgrounds. A common myth is that people with albinism have red eyes. In fact there are different types of albinism and the amount of pigment in the eyes varies. Although some individuals with albinism have reddish or violet eyes, most have blue eyes. Some have hazel or brown eyes. However, all forms of albinism are associated with uncorrectable vision problems.
NOAH, which is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, is operated by its members on a volunteer basis and is funded primarily by the dues and contributions of its members. NOAH has also received grants from foundations and organizations for specific projects, such as its handbook for new parents.
NOAH’s board of directors and many members are involved with specific committees and projects that address a wide variety of issues relevant to the albinism community. Committees include advocacy, NOAH’s biannual conference, financial development, albinism awareness, and editorial.
NOAH's objectives are to provide information and support regarding albinism and related conditions, to promote public and professional education about these conditions, to encourage research and funding that will lead to improved diagnosis and management of albinism, and to provide networking for those with special interests related to albinism such as minority groups and Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS).
NOAH provides information and support for its members by sponsoring workshops and conferences on albinism, publishing a quarterly magazine, Albinism InSight, and information bulletins on topics specific to living with albinism, providing a network of local chapters and contact people, providing a Web site that has information about albinism and bulletin boards where people can share experience, spreading knowledge about albinism and working to improve attitudes towards those with the condition through television appearances, newspaper articles, information packets for libraries, and outreach to professionals, and networking with support groups for people with albinism in other countries, and promoting the development of albinism support groups throughout the world through participation in the Albinism World Alliance.
Read more about National Organization For Albinism And Hypopigmentation: Advocacy, Conferences and National Events, Support Services For Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children, Fundraising, Partnerships, External Links
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