All donations to benefit the LCA Health, Research, and Education Committee need to go directly to the Leonberger Health Foundation (LHF). The Leonberger Health Foundation is pleased to announce that it has recently obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a charity under the tax code. This means that donations will generally be considered tax deductible.

The LHF is currently supporting two important Addison's Disease research projects. Both studies are being conducted in concert with several other breeds. The first project, headed by Dr. Anita Oberbauer at UC Davis in California, is aggressively seeking genetic markers for Addison's Disease. The second project, conducted by Dr. Markus Rick at Michigan State University, is trying to develop a test that will identify genetic carriers of Addison's Disease.

Dr. Diane Shelton of UC San Diego and Dr. Ned Patterson of the University of Minnesota are requesting funds for their study of the mode of inheritance of Polyneuropathy and Laryngeal Paralysis in the Leonberger. Some of this work has already been completed, but more funding is required for the purchase and evaluation of additional markers. These studies will also help to establish a blood test for this disease. We are presently awaiting the official grant application for this project.

If you would like to help further the work of the Health, Research, and Education Committee and the Leonberger breed in general, please visit the Leonberger Health Foundation website in order to make a donation via PayPal.

Otherwise, you may also make checks out to the "Leonberger Health Foundation" and mail to:
Ann Duyster
LHF Treasurer
20817 Pinehurst Greens Drive
Estero, FL 33928

Thank you!