Alpha-1 Foundation Engages Miami Communications Firm To Accelerate Fundraising

The Weinbach Group Will Raise Visibility For The Foundation And Its Mission

The Weinbach Group, a nationally recognized healthcare marketing agency, announced it has forged a new client relationship with the Alpha-1 Foundation, an international nonprofit organization focused on finding a cure for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and supporting patients and families touched by the rare disease. The Weinbach Group, which specializes in serving healthcare-related organizations, including foundations, will execute an integrated communications program aimed at the Foundation's current audiences and at expanding its reach to new audiences and fundraising sources.

Alpha-1 is a rare genetic disease that affects liver and lung function. People with the disease typically do not start showing symptoms until adulthood, oftentimes when their lung function has deteriorated so dramatically that they may require a lung transplant to survive. Other patients may exhibit symptoms during childhood. In fact, Alpha-1 is the most frequent condition necessitating childhood liver transplantation.

“Nearly 100,000 Americans have Alpha-1, and they don’t know it,” said Scott Santarella, CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation. "We hired The Weinbach Group because, as one of the leading healthcare public relations firms in the country, they will be able to raise visibility about this disease, support our development efforts, and reach key audiences – including physicians – to help diagnose patients early enough for them to delay or prevent deadly symptoms from developing.”

The Alpha-1 Foundation is one of the oldest rare-disease foundations, and over its 30-year history, it has deployed more than $100 million toward research. As a result of its efforts, people with Alpha-1 can now often live decades longer than they used to. And new therapies can delay some of the debilitating effects the disease has on patients’ lungs and livers.

“The Alpha-1 Foundation has done a remarkable job making a measurable difference in the trajectory of research, treatment, and patient support,” said Daniel Weinbach, president and CEO of the Miami-based healthcare marketing firm. “Now, with the megaphone of an effective marketing and communications program, we will be able to help the Foundation accelerate its fundraising to achieve the elusive goal of finding a cure for this deadly disease.”

Among its first activities, The Weinbach Group will work with the Foundation’s leadership to determine the feasibility and potential messaging for a capital campaign. Then, the healthcare advertising agency will execute a communications program, including developing key messages, to help the Foundation optimize its already impressive fundraising success.

“Alpha-1 remains a hugely underdiagnosed condition, yet its impact on patients and families can be profound,” said Mr. Weinbach. “The Foundation has built a legacy of advancing research and education, and we are proud to help extend the reach and impact of its meaningful work.”

With more than three decades of experience working with healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and patient advocacy groups, The Weinbach Group specializes in translating complex medical and scientific topics into clear, compelling communications that resonate with diverse audiences.

For more information about The Weinbach Group, or to schedule an interview, please contact Meieli Sawyer at (305) 668-0070 or msawyer@weinbachgroup.com.

About The Weinbach Group

The Weinbach Group, now in its fourth decade of business, consistently ranks among South Florida’s top advertising, public relations, and marketing firms. The agency serves clients in a range of industries and is best known as a healthcare marketing firm. Notable clients have included Mount Sinai Medical Center, ChenMed Senior Care, The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders, HCA, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Jackson Health System.