Ehlers-Danlos Society
The Ehlers-Danlos Society is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to patient support, scientific research, advocacy, and increasing awareness for the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). The society has organized multiple events around the world in an attempt to raise awareness for EDS and HSD. These events include a rally in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and a conference in India. The society also organizes symposiums dedicated to research on EDS and HSD. The 2016 symposium resulted in the reclassification of Ehlers-Danlos subtypes. Why the Zebra. The Ehlers-Danlos Society zebra logo is  derived from a common expression heard in medicine, "When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don't expect to see a zebra." In other words, medical professionals are typically taught to look out for more-common ailments rather than uncommon or rare diagnoses. For the EDS and HSD community, they adopted the zebra because "sometimes when you hear hoofbeats, it really is a zebra." The Ehlers-Danlos Society is aiming "towards a time when a medical professional immediately recognizes someone with an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or hypermobility spectrum disorder." History. The Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation (EDNF) was originally founded in 1985  by Nancy Rogowski. In 2013, they donated money to help fund the opening of a research center in Baltimore. On May 1, 2016, the EDNF became The Ehlers-Danlos Society, a global organization. Leadership. The President and CEO at The Ehlers-Danlos Society is Lara Bloom.