500,000 people worldwide. DEBRA UK was founded in 1978 and provides an enhanced specialist EB nursing service, in partnership with the NHS, to deliver optimal healthcare to children and adults living with EB and community support staff to work directly with families. The charity also commissions world-leading research into the condition with the aim of finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for EB. DEBRA UK has over 100 charity shops across the country run by combination of paid sales staff, volunteers, and people gaining work experience. Donations and proceeds from shops fund services for epidermolysis bullosa affected families and medical research into the condition. DEBRA UK's fundraising shops participate in the UK government's forced unpaid work programme where benefit claimants must work 20 to 40 hours per week uncompensated for periods that can be as long as six months. However, in 2015 DEBRA Trustee and current Vice Chairman Michael Jaega requested that DEBRA cease to take part in the program on the basis that DEBRA is a charity for disabled people and many of those disabled people, particularly those who suffer with EB, are unable to work due to the severe nature of their condition. The Workfare program was dropped by the government in 2017. In the United States Debra of America was founded in 1980 by Arlene Pessar and her son, Eric Lopez, who was born with epidermolysis bullosa. It is the only U.S. nonprofit organization that provides all-inclusive support to the EB community, through funding research for a cure and by providing free programs and services for those with EB. The mission of debra of America is to improve the quality of life for all people living in the United States with EB, their families, and caregivers, through free programs and services while funding research to find a cure and treatments for EB. In 2015, Debra of America launched a series of TV and web commercials alongside a campaign titled #ItWontHurtToWatch These commercials, produced by award-winning health and wellness advertising agency HAVAS Worldwide Tonic, are meant to spread awareness of the debilitating rare disease. Other countries A list of national groups may be found at DEBRA International. References External links Official DEBRA International site EB Nurse site EB Info World site Sufferers site DEBRA United Kingdom Site debra of America site Bracknell Forest Dermatology organizations Health charities in the United Kingdom Health in Berkshire International organisations based