Advancing Evidence-Based Medicinal Leech Therapy
Your philanthropic investment builds the evidence base, safety standards, and clinical infrastructure for medicinal leech therapy — an FDA-cleared treatment for venous congestion in grafts/flaps/replants used at leading medical centers worldwide.
What your donation supports — operational outputs (verifiable)
ASH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations support editorial operations of the open clinical knowledge platform. We never claim ASH-attributed clinical outcomes like "patients helped" or "limbs saved" — those belong to the trials and clinicians we curate.
199
Conditions curated
201
Compounds catalogued
169
RCTs indexed (PMID-verified)
68
Historical figures
155
Regulators tracked
Make a Gift
Every gift — of any size — directly advances our mission. Donate securely online, or explore additional giving options below.
Choose an amount or enter your own
Direct your gift
Secure payment processed by Stripe. You will receive a donation receipt via email.
Gifts of any amount are gratefully accepted. ASH is an educational and research nonprofit — we do not sell leeches, do not provide medical care through this website, and do not take referral payments from leech suppliers. Donations support evidence base, safety protocols, and patient education only.
Your Impact
See how philanthropic support translates into measurable outcomes for research, education, and patient care.
Illustrative example: at our current cost basis, this funds full editorial curation of one peer-reviewed Hirudopedia entry — condition + evidence-grade + study-design annotation. Actual per-entry cost is reported in the Annual Report.
Funds a complete systematic review of one therapeutic application — the kind of rigorous analysis that informs clinical guidelines.
Sponsors one healthcare professional's access to standardized training materials and clinical protocols.
Supports the translation of key safety protocols into multiple languages, expanding global access to evidence-based guidelines.
Funds a dedicated research initiative analyzing clinical outcomes data across multiple institutions.
Supports outreach, protocol preparation, and pilot planning toward potential institutional collaborations with universities or medical centers.
Program Areas
Your gift supports one or more of these core programs. Unrestricted gifts allow us to direct resources where the need is greatest.
Research & Evidence Base
45%Building the Hirudopedia medical literature library — a comprehensive curated database of hirudotherapy research. Funding systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence grading across all therapeutic applications.
Education & Professional Development
25%Developing standardized curricula, certification frameworks, and continuing education programs for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals worldwide.
Safety Standards & Clinical Protocols
20%Creating, maintaining, and disseminating evidence-based safety protocols — including Aeromonas prophylaxis guidelines with documented infection-prevention efficacy in published cohorts (Nguyen et al. 2012: 0/39; Palm et al. 2022).
Patient Access & Public Awareness
10%Correcting misconceptions about an FDA-cleared therapy, advocating for insurance coverage, and ensuring patients and referring physicians have access to accurate, evidence-based information.
Donor Recognition
We are deeply grateful for every gift. The following recognition circles honor donors whose cumulative generosity reaches these milestones. Gifts of any amount are welcomed and valued.
Friends Circle
Haycraft Society
Named for John Berry Haycraft, who discovered hirudin in 1884
Hirudin Circle
Named for the molecule that launched a $500M pharmaceutical market
Founders Council
Legacy Society
The Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have included the American Society of Hirudotherapy in their estate plans through bequests, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations, or other planned gifts. Membership requires no minimum amount — only the intention to support our mission beyond one's lifetime.
Ways to Give
We offer multiple giving options to accommodate your philanthropic goals and financial planning needs.
Online
Make a secure gift of any amount through our online giving portal. Credit card, debit card, and digital wallet accepted.
Click "Give Now" above or use the secure link at the top of this page.
By Check or Money Order
Mail your charitable contribution to our office.
Make checks payable to: American Society of Hirudotherapy Mail to: 24001 Calle De La Magdalena, #2246, Laguna Hills, CA 92654 Please include your name, address, email, and desired designation on a separate note.
Wire Transfer / ACH
For domestic or international wire transfers, please contact our development office for routing instructions.
Email: info@hirudotherapysociety.org Phone: +1 917 647 5031 Please notify us before initiating a transfer so we can ensure proper gift crediting.
Appreciated Securities & Stock
Gifts of publicly traded securities held for more than one year may provide tax benefits: a charitable deduction for the full fair market value and avoidance of capital gains tax.
Contact our development office for DTC transfer instructions and broker coordination. Email: info@hirudotherapysociety.org
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund at Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or any community foundation.
Legal name: American Society of Hirudotherapy Address: 24001 Calle De La Magdalena, #2246, Laguna Hills, CA 92654 EIN: 92-2997844 If your DAF sponsor requires additional documentation, please contact us.
IRA Charitable Rollover (QCD)
If you are 70½ or older, you may direct funds from your Individual Retirement Account directly to ASH up to the IRS-defined annual QCD limit (subject to annual inflation adjustment; consult your tax advisor for the current year's amount). Qualified Charitable Distributions count toward your Required Minimum Distribution and are excluded from taxable income.
Instruct your IRA custodian to make the check payable to: American Society of Hirudotherapy Contact us for a sample letter to your custodian.
Employer Matching Gifts
Many employers match charitable contributions made by employees, doubling or tripling your impact. Check with your company's HR or corporate giving department.
Provide your employer with our legal name and EIN. Contact us if your employer requires a matching gift verification form.
Planned & Estate Giving
Include ASH in your estate plans through a bequest, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, life insurance beneficiary designation, or retirement account beneficiary designation.
Suggested bequest language: "I give and bequeath to the American Society of Hirudotherapy, Laguna Hills, California [the sum of $_____ / _____% of my residuary estate] to support its tax-exempt purposes." For planned giving consultation, contact: info@hirudotherapysociety.org
Corporate & Foundation Giving
We welcome partnerships with corporations, private foundations, and family foundations aligned with our mission to advance evidence-based medicine.
Contact our development office to discuss sponsorship opportunities, named program support, and institutional partnerships. Email: info@hirudotherapysociety.org
Financial Accountability & Governance
The American Society of Hirudotherapy is committed to the highest standards of financial stewardship and organizational transparency.
Nonprofit Status
The American Society of Hirudotherapy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN 92-2997844) recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Financial Stewardship
We maintain detailed financial records and are committed to making our financial information available to donors upon request. As our organization grows, we will publish audited financial statements and annual reports.
Board Governance
Our organization is governed by an independent board of directors composed of physicians, researchers, and professionals with expertise in hirudotherapy, medical education, and nonprofit management.
Gift Stewardship
All restricted gifts are used exclusively for the designated purpose. If a restricted fund is fully funded or the designated purpose becomes impractical, we will contact the donor to discuss alternative uses aligned with our mission.
Legal Disclosures & Donor Rights
Donor Bill of Rights
We subscribe to the Donor Bill of Rights as developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute. As a donor, you have the right to:
- 1.Be informed of the organization's mission, the way it intends to use donated resources, and its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- 2.Be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- 3.Have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
- 4.Be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- 5.Receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
- 6.Be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- 7.Expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- 8.Be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization, or hired solicitors.
- 9.Have the opportunity for your name to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- 10.Feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.
Tax Deductibility
The American Society of Hirudotherapy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN 92-2997844). Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Donor-recognition benefits offered at our giving levels (named acknowledgment, invitations to educational gatherings, stewardship communications) are of insubstantial value under IRS Revenue Procedure 90-12 and Revenue Procedure 92-49 and therefore do not reduce the deductible amount of your contribution. You will receive a written acknowledgment for gifts of $250 or more, in compliance with IRS Publication 1771. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your specific gift.
Gift Acceptance Policy
- We accept gifts of cash, publicly traded securities, and other assets subject to review by our board.
- Gifts of real property, closely held stock, and other non-cash assets are subject to review and approval to ensure they are consistent with our mission and do not create undue liability.
- We reserve the right to decline any gift that is inconsistent with our mission, values, or strategic priorities.
- Anonymous gifts are accepted and honored.
- Donors may request restrictions on their gifts. Restrictions will be honored provided they are consistent with our mission and practical to implement.
Donor Privacy Policy
We respect the privacy of our donors. Personal and financial information provided by donors is held in strict confidence. We do not sell, trade, or share donor information with third parties. Donor names and gift amounts are not published without the explicit consent of the donor.
State Fundraising Disclosures
Certain states require the following disclosures:
The American Society of Hirudotherapy is registered with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts. Our financial documents are available from the Attorney General's office and from our organization upon request.
Registration with a state agency does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by that state. Additional state-specific disclosures are available upon request.
Refund Policy
Donations are generally non-refundable. If you believe a donation was made in error, please contact us within 30 days at info@hirudotherapysociety.org and we will work to resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. The American Society of Hirudotherapy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN 92-2997844). Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. You will receive a written acknowledgment for your records. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Can I make a recurring monthly gift?
Yes. Monthly gifts provide reliable, sustainable funding that allows us to plan long-term research initiatives. You can set up or modify a recurring gift through our online giving portal or by contacting us directly.
Can I designate my gift to a specific program?
Yes. You may direct your gift to Research & Literature Library, Education & Training, Safety Standards & Protocols, or Patient Access & Awareness. Unrestricted gifts are directed where the need is greatest.
How will I be acknowledged?
You will receive an email receipt immediately after your online gift. For gifts of $250 or more, you will receive a formal written acknowledgment as required by IRS regulations. All donors are recognized according to our Donor Recognition program unless anonymity is requested.
Can I make a gift in honor or memory of someone?
Yes. Tribute gifts may be made in honor of or in memory of an individual. If you provide contact information for the honoree or their family, we will send a notification of your gift (the amount is never disclosed).
Can I give through my donor-advised fund?
Yes. Recommend a grant from your DAF using our legal name (American Society of Hirudotherapy) and our mailing address. If your DAF sponsor requires an EIN or additional documentation, please contact us.
Does my employer match charitable gifts?
Many employers match employee donations. Check with your HR department or corporate giving office. We are happy to complete matching gift verification forms upon request.
How can I include ASH in my estate plan?
You may include ASH in your will or trust, name us as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy, or establish a charitable trust. Contact us for suggested bequest language and planned giving consultation.
How do I receive a copy of your financial information?
Financial information is available upon request. Contact us at info@hirudotherapysociety.org. As our organization grows, we will publish annual reports and audited financial statements on our website.
Can I donate from outside the United States?
Yes. We accept international gifts via wire transfer and online payment. Tax deductibility varies by country — please consult your local tax advisor. Contact us for international wire transfer instructions.
Make a Gift
Every gift — of any size — directly advances our mission. Donate securely online, or explore additional giving options below.
Development Office
For questions about giving, planned gifts, corporate partnerships, or to discuss a major gift, please contact:
American Society of Hirudotherapy
Mailing Address
24001 Calle De La Magdalena, #2246, Laguna Hills, CA 92654 USA
Phone
+1 917 647 5031Hours
Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time