YEOULDOL Association, Inc.

■ YEOULDOL: A STEPPING STONE FOR CHILDREN WITH RARE DISEASES ■ "Yeouldol" is a Korean word for the stepping stones placed across a fast-flowing stream so people can cross safely. Since 2002, YEOULDOL Association (Seoul, South Korea) has been that stone for children with incurable rare diseases - for as long as the journey takes. 【 OUR MISSION 】 To give children and teens with incurable rare diseases, and their families, long-term practical support, and to raise public awareness so these families are no longer alone. We do not offer one-time help: once selected, a child is supported continuously until age 18 - and, through our youth programs, beyond. 【 WHY IT MATTERS 】 ① Most rare... read more ■ YEOULDOL: A STEPPING STONE FOR CHILDREN WITH RARE DISEASES ■ "Yeouldol" is a Korean word for the stepping stones placed across a fast-flowing stream so people can cross safely. Since 2002, YEOULDOL Association (Seoul, South Korea) has been that stone for children with incurable rare diseases - for as long as the journey takes. 【 OUR MISSION 】 To give children and teens with incurable rare diseases, and their families, long-term practical support, and to raise public awareness so these families are no longer alone. We do not offer one-time help: once selected, a child is supported continuously until age 18 - and, through our youth programs, beyond. 【 WHY IT MATTERS 】 ① Most rare diseases have no cure, so care is lifelong. ② Families may face medical costs from hundreds to several thousand US dollars every month. ③ Many medicines, therapies and surgeries for complications are not covered by national health insurance. ④ Most of these children also live with disabilities and need new equipment as they grow. 【 OUR IMPACT (as of July 2026) 】 ① 24 years of continuous activity since 2002. ② 72 children and teens (ages 0-18) selected for long-term support since founding. ③ 46 children and teens currently receiving regular support. ④ 229 additional children helped through one-time support (campaigns and online fundraising). ⑤ 15 young adults (19+) with rare diseases and their families currently supported. 【 WHO WE SUPPORT 】 ① Infants (0-6): intensive medical care, when early treatment can prevent serious complications. ② Children and teens (7-18): rehabilitation, assistive devices and daily-life support. ③ Young adults (19+): scholarships and independence support for former sponsored children. ④ Vulnerable youth: our BOUM Center supports children in protective care and young people leaving care. ★ Priority goes to infants, ultra-rare conditions, and families in crisis without other assistance. 【 OUR KEY PROGRAMS 】 ① Medical Expenses: hospital, surgery and medication costs. ② Assistive Devices: wheelchairs and equipment that change as a child grows. ③ Emergency Medical Support: immediate help for sudden surgery or ER admission, without children having to share their stories publicly. ④ Medical Translation: overseas research and treatment information on each child's disease. ⑤ Scholarships: for sponsored children who go on to university. ⑥ Home Improvement: safer, more accessible living and care environments. ⑦ Arts & Culture: programs and outings for families. ⑧ Diaper Support: 50% of diaper costs for 15 families of children with severe conditions. ⑨ Caregiver Mental Health: assessment and treatment costs for exhausted parents. ⑩ Genetic Testing: early ATTR amyloidosis testing with 53 hospitals nationwide. 【 REAL STORIES 】 ◆ STORY 1: A boy born in 2003 with six rare conditions was given a limited life expectancy. Supported by YEOULDOL since 2004, he and his father went on to run marathons and triathlons together to share hope. ◆ STORY 2: A girl lost the function of nearly all her organs at age 4 and lived on IV nutrition for 10 years, unable to eat or drink. In 2015 YEOULDOL funded surgery so she could at least taste food again. ◆ STORY 3: A girl diagnosed at age 8 in 2003 was supported until 18, including a fully funded bone marrow transplant. She recovered, entered university, and returned to volunteer at our events. 【 TRANSPARENCY YOU CAN TRUST 】 ① Designated a Public Interest Corporation by the Korean Government (2014, renewed 2026); non-profit registered with the Seoul Metropolitan Government (2013). ② 93.5% of spending goes to charitable programs; 6.5% to operations (3-year average). ③ ALL board members, auditors and volunteers (about 30 people) work without pay. ④ Donor lists and expenses published monthly; annual financial statements disclosed. ⑤ Separate bank accounts for each direct-support program. 【 AWARENESS & COMMUNITY 】 Through charity concerts and campaigns with Korean artists and partners, we help society understand rare diseases. Our "Shall We Walk" campaign gathered 2,500 citizens in Seoul (2017) and 4,000 in Incheon (2018). 【 JOIN US ♥ 】 One stone does not make a path - but many stones together help a child cross. Your gift brings treatment, equipment and hope to a child with a rare disease, year after year. "Sharing with more value. Giving with more transparency." ▸ Website: www.yeouldol.kr ▸ Instagram: @yeouldol ▸ Video: https://youtu.be/b_BWYEfmshE