Policies

Purpose

This web site contains information about the mission, activities and organization of the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, Inc. (ECAA).

The ECAA vigorously supports the principles of the Heath on the Net Foundation, and the honest, ethical presentation of health-related information.

Medical Disclaimer

ECAA members are esophageal cancer patients, caregivers or others interested in this particular cancer. The majority are not medical professionals. However, they bring a variety of professional and life experiences to bear on the quality of life problems presented by esophageal cancer.

The information found on this site is not intended as a substitute for qualified medical care. You should always consult with your doctor, oncologist, surgeon or other medical professional regarding your health situation.

"Quality of life" has many medical and non-medical faces. Our mission is dedicated to offering views about the decisions such that the patients, caregivers, and medical personnel understand the path ahead as best it might be described. Medical opinion may be divided, and individuals may bring up many questions for which answers are not available. Yet decisions must and will be made. Making all parties aware of the issues and their bearing on the quality of life is our principal effort.

We provide links to researched and anecdotal information. Researched information will include references to sources. Where anecdotal information is compiled and analyzed, we will identify it as such and subject it, as appropriate, to the same standards as are applied professionally. Included in these are the peer review of analysis, ethical treatment of subjects, and expression of data quality objectives, as available.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality of data relating to individual patients and visitors to this web site, including their identity, is fully respected by the ECAA. We undertake to honor or exceed the legal requirements of medical/health information privacy that apply in the the United States of America, where this web site is located.

Moreover, we expect any partners to apply these same standards in any efforts with or on behalf of our membership. We will not release the names of any members, or any information pertaining thereto, without their prior express written consent.

Nondiscrimination

The ECAA welcomes all who would share our mission and benefit from it, without regard to considerations of age, race, religion, national origin, place of residency, gender, or nature or absence of medical disability. We do believe that the nature of esophageal cancer and its impact on quality of life require a special advocacy. As esophageal cancer is underrepresented within the broader cancer community, we have a special obligation to give voice to others not so empowered or facilitated.

Funding Disclosure

The ECAA is a nonprofit, member funded organization. We accept donations as well as sponsorships. Donations or sponsorships from commercial organizations are fully disclosed on our Help us grow page.

We are qualified as a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization by the US Internal Revenue Service. We expect to have partnerships of one form or another with corporations, foundations and government agencies, as well as sponsors.

We have no official affiliation with other organizations. Any references to other web sites or organizations mentioned within the ECAA web site are unremunerated and provided for the convenience of members and visitors.

Advertising Policy

There is no commercial advertising on the ECAA web site. External links are not intended to endorse any commercial entity, organization, company or corporation to the exclusion of others offering similar products or services.

Timeliness and Accuracy of Information

The Internet, medical practice, and coping skills are all very dynamic, so we are obliged to maintain links only to sources which are applying similar standards, to periodically check those links for accuracy and reliability, and to keep our web pages current. The user can presume that links and material were checked when the page was last updated as indicated. Such information must stand on its own merit, as we can make no assertion per se on its behalf.

ECAA Promotional Artwork

Official ECAA Logo Artwork is available in PDF and PhotoShop formats for use by the media or others with prior approval from the ECAA.

Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, Inc. Web artwork, such as is displayed here, is available in four pixel widths:

The free use of these logos are granted for the sole purpose of providing links to the ECAA web site: http://www.ecaware.org

Use is subject to approval of the ECAA Board of Directors, contact Lois Dickerman for more information.

The Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, Inc. (ECAA) is a New York State non profit corporation which is recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code.