About Us
Mission Statement
Reye’s Syndrome strikes swiftly and is a deadly disease. It can attack any child or adult without much warning. All body organs are affected, but most seriously the liver and brain. Although the cause and cure remain a mystery, research has established a link between Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate-containing medications. The National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation was incorporated in 1974 and became the first citizen group to generate a concerted organized lay movement to eradicate Reye’s Syndrome. The Foundation has three main areas of concern:
Awareness – To aid in early detection and to educate the public and medical communities about the risk involved with the use of aspirin and other salicylates.
The Roots of Our Mission
In 1973, after a five-year-old girl died from Reye’s Syndrome, her devastated parents, vowed to uncover the cause and find a cure for this mysterious illness. This led to the founding of the
National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation (NRSF).
As more children across the country died from Reye’s Syndrome, parents began to connect and support the Foundation. In 1980, NRSF established its first research laboratory at Ohio State
University, with Dr. Brian Andresen as the lead researcher.
The NRSF also enlisted key public figures, such as Dick Van Dyke, who tragically lost a granddaughter to Reye’s Syndrome, as a spokesperson. The Foundation began producing public service announcements to raise awareness of the risks of aspirin.
By 1981, after extensive research, the CDC and Ohio State Health Department issued warnings about aspirin use in relation to Reye’s Syndrome, and on June 5, 1986, the FDA formally mandated all non-prescription Aspirin products and medication must be labelled with a warning.
NRSF Legacy: Major Accomplishments
- Successfully lobbied for mandatory warning labels on all over-the-counter medicines containing aspirin.
- Produced and distributed the award-winning documentary “Reye’s Syndrome: A Real and Present Danger.”
- Developed public service announcements with spokesperson Dick Van Dyke, aired on TV and radio.
- Established 142 affiliates through out the United States with a sister organization in Great Britain.
- Produced the medical DVD “Reye’s Syndrome and Its Mimickers”, available to medical professionals.
- Launched the Android app: Aspirin Sense and Sensitivity.
- Published four books: NRSF: A 35-Year Memorial (hard copy), and three e-books on Reye’s Syndrome and coping with illness and loss, available on major e-reader platforms.
- In 2011, we worked in partnership with the FDA to remove the term “Baby Aspirin” from marketing and packaging, which was completed by June 2012. This product is now referred as low dose aspirin.
- The warning label reads “Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. When using this product, if changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur, consult a doctor because these symptoms could be an early sign of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.”
- Established Reye’s Syndrome Awareness Month in September, to highlight the dangers of aspirin products for kids.
Fast forward to 2025, the cause and cure for Reye’s Syndrome is still unknown. Our organization
continues to evolve with modern times to reach broader audiences, and to inform them of Reye’s
Syndrome and spread awareness.
We remain in the fight and continue to serve our communities in spreading awareness and
promoting education on Reye’s Syndrome. Our legacy is noted not only in our major
accomplishments (see below) but more importantly, in the lives we have touched.
We are incredibly grateful for our members and the public for their generosity and commitment
to our cause.
