Dear Friends and Supporters of the Arthritis National Research Foundation:

It is my pleasure and honor to report to you about the year just passed and the one ahead for the Arthritis National Research Foundation. Thanks to your support, this critical research proceeds at the highest levels to determine the underlying causes and potential new treatments for arthritis.

Over 66 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. You injured your knee in your 20's; unfortunately, you may be suffering with arthritis in that knee in your 40's. Your grandmother and mother both suffered with rheumatoid arthritis; ANRF-funded researchers want to break the genetic susceptibility code and possibly prevent RA in your lifetime. Our funding of arthritis studies is our commitment to you today and those who will face this pain tomorrow.

We receive dozens of proposals for support each year from top scientists at premier non-profit laboratories across the country. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the ANRF funded a record 16 research grants for fiscal year 2006-2007. Ten new scientists received funding; six grant recipients from 2005-2006 received a second year of funding to continue their work, having demonstrated significant progress and competing within the entire pool of applicants. I know you'll enjoy reading about these 16 ANRF Scholars and their projects described in this report.

ANRF's Scientific Advisory Board, led by Chairman Carl F. Ware, Ph.D., of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, voluntarily dedicates its collective expertise to choosing the top grant award candidates and advising the Board of Directors on how to most effectively support the research. This year, one of the founding members of the Scientific Board, Eng Tan, M.D. of The Scripps Research Institute, retired. To honor Dr. Tan's contributions to the field of arthritis research, one of our grant recipients this year was named the Eng Tan Scholar.

We are delighted and honored that our research partner, The Sontag Foundation, chose a sixth Sontag Foundation Fellow, supporting an entire grant award for a scientist studying rheumatoid arthritis. We at the Arthritis National Research Foundation are grateful for The Sontag Foundation's continued commitment to RA research and trust in ANRF's expertise.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Scientific Advisory Board, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your support. Over 700 new and returning committed individuals pledged their support through the Combined Federal Campaign, state and corporate workplace campaigns. Many supporters donate in memory of a loved one or associate. Some support this research to honor a loved one who is suffering today, like young Alisa Hutchins, who you will read about later in this report. All of these gifts combine to ensure that this critical research continues.

We pledge to honor your trust by investing in the science and scientists working most effectively to put an end to these debilitating arthritic diseases.

Sincerely,

James Rose, Pharm.D.
President