Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at National Ataxia Foundation

• What is your mission?

  Our mission is to accelerate the development of treatments and a cure while working to improve the lives of those living with Ataxia.

• How are donations used?

  Donations are used in support of our programming and research initiatives.

• What can be done with a $100 donation?

  $100 buys one hour of ataxia research.

• What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

  Our generous supporters enabled us to launch our Genetic Counseling and Testing Initiative (GCTI) in 2022. GCTI allows people at risk for three of the most common types of ataxia to receive genetic counseling and testing at no cost to them.

• What is the history of your organization?

  NAF began with a single doctor’s quest to find the cause and cure for Ataxia. John W. Schut, MD founded the National Ataxia Foundation to relentlessly pursue answers after he lost family members to the disease. Eventually inheriting the disease and succumbing himself, his dream lived on as NAF’s efforts to fund research increased – leading to some of the most important Ataxia discoveries. Today, NAF is guided by the world’s most renowned Ataxia scientists.

• What is ataxia?

  Ataxia is a rare, genetic neurological disorder that progressively affects ones ability to walk, speak, swallow, and use fine motor skills.