ECARF is a member of the international GA²LEN network (Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network), a worldwide association of academic centres in the fields of allergology, asthma and dermatology. In Europe alone, more than 200 reference and excellence centres such as universities, research institutions and institutes as well as numerous multidisciplinary research teams belong to the international GA²LEN network. The GA²LEN network is now regarded worldwide as the leading global network of academic centres in the field of allergology. ECARF (European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation) is in regular contact with European centers of the GA²LEN network throughout Europe regarding the design of the seal criteria, the handling of scientific questions and the research work of the ECARF Foundation. A particularly close exchange is also ensured by the fact that the Chairman of the Board of the ECARF Foundation has helped to build up and establish this professional network as President.
The mission of the non-profit European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) is to ensure that people with allergies receive the best possible guidance in everyday matters and treatment options.
Foundation goals
1. Improving medical care
Around 25 million people in Germany suffer from an allergy. The number of doctors working in the field of allergology declined by approximately one third between 2007 and 2010. We would like to steer against this trend and ensure that more people with allergies receive proper care. For this reason, we support Allergie-Centrum-Charité with funding for medical staff and devices. At the federal level, our mission is to see to it that healthcare policy no longer puts off the necessary steps for improving care.
2. Research funding
Our current knowledge base is not extensive enough to provide successful allergy treatments. The ECARF Foundation supports several scientific research groups. The work groups at Charité in Berlin conduct foundational research and are specialised in the research of mast cells and B cells, the key cells in triggering allergic reactions. Researchers were notably able to discover what lies behind allergies in the first place: they developed as a defence mechanism against environmental toxins.
3. Education
Since allergies are a very complex subject, we have made it our mission to provide all those whose lives are affected by allergies – parents, children, educators and caregivers – with the information they need. Our aim is to build specific knowledge, eliminate any doubts, and enable allergy sufferers to take charge and lead active lives.
Ethical & transparent
As a signatory of the ‘Transparent Civil Society Initiative’, the ECARF Foundation is committed to providing up-to-date, transparent reports on its activities, the source of its funding and the identity of its decision-makers.
As a member of the German Fundraising Association and holder of the seal of ethics, ECARF is committed to following ethical and transparent practices when campaigning for donations.
The international GA²LEN network
Ambassadors
Allergy symptoms, the incidence of allergies and their triggers differ from country to country. For example, olive trees are a problem for allergy sufferers in southern countries, whereas in Germany, people with pollen allergies are sensitive to birch and other pollens. Our European ambassadors work on a volunteer basis towards achieving the goals of ECARF. They are leading allergologists and dermatologists in their countries.