MEBO's new International TMAU Test Program with the Cleveland Clinic

One of America's Top 4 Hospitals
U.S. News and World Report 2011-12 'Best Hospitals' Rankings.

As many are aware, MEBO Research’s TMAU Test Program with Eliapharma had to be discontinued, and instead, MEBO has been working with the Cleveland Clinic to initiate a similar program with their lab, headed by Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD. As we began to develop this program with Dr. Hazen, we have been very much impressed with his and his office staff’s expertise and professionalism.

Dr. Hazen is a medical director of the Preventive Research Laboratory (PRL) at the Cleveland Clinic, which serves as reference laboratory for many FDA monitored trials. It is very much to the benefit of our community for MEBO to be associated with Dr. Hazen’s lab, since it is so well funded with grants and contracts for large studies.

As Dr. Hazen tells us,

We have been trying to navigate issues (logistics) for doing this sort of testing in PRL, since PRL has not had invoicing capabilities within the institution. Instead, all analyses are done as part of contracts for large studies, or grants. And there has been some pushback on setting up an invoicing system.

It is mutually beneficial that MEBO contributes to this effort by providing the invoicing capabilities for Dr. Hazen as he tests us and studies us so that our community can get very reasonably low test rates. This service that MEBO will provide is a contributing factor to the very reasonable testing rates he offers us. The shipping and office work will be initially performed by me at MEBO’s Headquarters in Miami, and as the program grows, it might be necessary for me to hire a part-time employee to assist me with setting up the kits for shipment, unless we find a volunteer in our community interested in helping a few days a week. Up to now, however, no one has received compensation for anyone's work, whether MEBO Board Members or volunteers, as noted in the 'Not For Profit Organization' post in the new MEBO Forum. All external legal and accounting services have also been pro-bono.

I have asked Dr. Hazen whether he would please tell us a little about himself and his practice, and he has provided us with a pre-prepared introduction of him used recently when he was introduced at an awards ceremony. Dr. Hazen is, “the scientific founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the Cleveland Heart Lab, a disease management and reference laboratory specializing in prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.” Of particular interest to our community, “He is the scientific founder of PrognostiX, a company focused on the development of novel diagnostic tests.”

Dr. Stanley Hazen's biography:

Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD, is the Head of the Section for Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation and Director for the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Hazen also holds Staff appointments in the Departments of Cell Biology and Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, and the Department of Molecular Medicine, at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.

Dr Hazen has publishing more than 225 peer-reviewed articles, invited reviews, and book chapters in the fields of atherosclerosis, oxidation and inflammation chemistry and cardiovascular disease. He has more than 50 issued or pending patents for his work in identifying patients at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diagnosing asthma, and treatments for inflammation, cardiovascular disease and associated complications. Dr. Hazen is the scientific founder of PrognostiX, a company focused on the development of novel diagnostic tests. He also is the scientific founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cleveland Heart Lab, a disease management and reference laboratory specializing in prevention of cardiometabolic diseases.

Dr Hazen’s brings a truly multidisciplinary approach to his research to uncover fundamental underlying processes involved in disease, and how these can be leveraged to improve health and wellness. He has received many honors and awards for his research work, which has contributed to new understandings of inflammation in cardiovascular disease and the development of path breaking diagnostic and treatment tools that are in clinical use around the world. The impact of Dr. Hazen’s work has been recognized by many organizations. He has been awarded multiple National Institutes of Health research awards related to basic, translational and clinical research in atherosclerotic heart diseases, inflammation and asthma. Dr Hazen has been elected into honorary societies for achievements in research and clinic arenas alike, including election into both the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. In 2008 he was elected as Fellow into the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. In 2009, he was the inaugural winner of the Cleveland Clinic Sones Innovation Award.

Both Dr. Hazen and MEBO Research are very much interested in the compilation of data from our test results so that he may study us and either recommend additional testing/research studies, and/or treatment protocols for our community.

Both Dr. Hazen and MEBO Research are very much interested in the compilation of data from our test results so that he may study us and either recommend additional testing/research studies, and/or treatment protocols for our community.

To set up a TMAU Test Program is a very elaborate process, not only dealing with setting up and calibrating the equipment in the lab for this particular test, but also with obtaining samples from a control group consisting of persons who do not have body odor conditions. This control group testing phase is already well underway. Although I don’t want to commit to giving a timeline, I can assure everyone that everything has already been set up satisfactorily with very accurate test results, and we’re in the final stages of bringing this program to fruition.

I find comfort in knowing that he is also a well renowned medical doctor, thus giving us hope that he will be instrumental in spearheading our raising awareness efforts in the medical community.

MEBO has already purchased all our shipping items and drafted the online Requisition Form, and the Instructions and Results Forms, the content of which has been approved by Dr. Hazen’s. However, they will not be made public until Dr. Hazen lets us know that his lab is positioned to begin the testing process.

I feel most confident placing our international community in Dr. Hazen’s very capable hands so that not only can he develop whatever tests he deems beneficial for our specific needs, beginning with TMAU. I find comfort in knowing that he is also a well renowned medical doctor, thus giving us hope that he will be instrumental in spearheading our raising awareness efforts in the medical community.

Much more information will be forthcoming in the near future about this program that MEBO Research is initiating with Dr. Hazen and the Cleveland Clinic.

María de la Torre
Founder and Executive Director

A Public Charity
www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)
The MEBO Forum Please sign the MEBO Petition

Translated into Spanish

MEBO Research

The big body odor/halitosis petition reaches 228

It's only a few weeks since the launch of the MEBO Research body odor/halitosis petition and already 228 brave people have signed. It is intended to be given to politicians when it reaches a certain number. You can sign and have your name hidden if you wish. Thanks to everyone for your support.

New FMO3 paper : Cancer drug found to use FMO3 as a pathway

Flavin monooxygenases, FMO1 and FMO3, not cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, contribute to metabolism of anti-tumour triazoloacridinone, C-1305, in liver microsomes and HepG2 cells

Fedejko-Kap B, Niemira M, Radominska-Pandya A, Mazerska Z.
Source : Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk University of Technology , Gdańsk , Poland

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With the enzyme 'flavin containing mono-oxygenase isoform 3' (FMO3) being involved with (mostly) oxidizing many compounds of a certain structure with a sulfur, nitrogen (amine), and phosphorous molecule, with many being odorous, and being recognised as being at fault for causing trimethylaminuria; FMO3 is always of interest to the blog.

This paper is not of any direct relevance to people with FMO3 deficiency or FMO3 substrate overload or TMAU, but indirectly it is useful in that the pharmaceutical industry are always interested in how the body metabolizes their drugs and concerned about lawsuits due to unforeseen bad reactions which are often due to some issue with the xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (known in the industry as the 'drug metabolizing enzymes'). Often when drugs are withdrawn from sale it is because of an unforeseen interaction with the DME's, one of which is FMO3. For some reason FMO3 has been a neglected DME, with most interest being in the CYP family of enzymes, and there has not been much interest in FMO3 from the main part of our medical research industry; the drug manufacturers. Probably because there is no obvious life threatening or visual disorder associated with FMO3 deficiency or overload other than TMAU (which in most cases seems very transient). At the moment if someone has 0% function of the FMO3 enzyme, it is thought they would have no problem other than (in the medical system's view) the 'trivial' problem of TMAU. However, it seems the FMO3 enzyme deals with 1,000's of substrates in everyday metabolism, including with things from our environment (including from diet and the gut flora) as well as 'internally' (like neurotransmitters, hormones etc). So although lack of FMO3 may not show any obvious health problem that could interest the medical system, it does seem that it is important for fully metabolizing 1,000s of substrates in our body.

The pharmaceutical industry, as well as wishing to make their drugs work as best they can, are also extemely concerned about bad reactions that could lead to lawsuits. So any drug that is proven to use the FMO3 enzyme for metobolism could lead to interest in FMO3 research overall, and this would be good for anyone with an FMO3 issue. In this case it seems to be a drug that is used for cancer. The researchers have shown that FMO3 seems to activate the drug for it to have its effect. It seems to also inhibit two of the main enzymes from the CYP family, which for some reason they are seeing as a good thing in this case.

The post author has no formal qualification in the subject, therefore we asked an expert if they would like to make any comment on the post. Dr John Cashman, a long-time researcher in the FMO family of enzymes kindly made the following comments :

DR. JOHN CASHMAN: Yes, I suspect there are 1000 FMO substrates ... or more. Just needs to be looked at. (Re drug metabolism and FMO) While a number of important drugs have been characterized as human FMO substrates, I suspect only about 5% of the commercially used drugs have been reported as FMO substrates. Most drugs (70% or so) are metabolized by CYP. After that, about 20% is glucuronidated or otherwise conjugated. The reason for this is that historically, the way metabolism studies were done favored CYP and actually decreased FMO functional activity. So the upshot is less evidence for FMO-related pathways and more evidence for CYP pathways.

Another reason FMO is off the radar screen is that FMO has not been associated with a wide variety of adverse drug-drug interactions as has CYP. So CYP gets all the focus because of these adverse reactions. Of course this is a good thing for FMO and I have written in the literature re the advantages of FMO in the metabolism of a drug.

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links of interest :
2011 : FAD-dependent enzymes involved in the metabolic oxidation of xenobiotics
A physiological role for flavin containing monooxygenase (FMO3) in humans?
A common FMO3 polymorphism may amplify the effect of nicotine exposure in sudden infant death syndrome
Role of flavin-containing monooxygenase in drug development
Flavin-containing monooxygenases: mutations, disease and drug response
Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 and human disease
Flavin-containing monooxygenase genetic polymorphism: impact on chemical metabolism and drug development
Mammalian flavin-containing monooxygenases: structure/function, genetic polymorphisms and role in drug metabolism

New TMAU medical paper by Monell/Denver

Individuals Reporting Idiopathic Malodor Production: Demographics and Incidence of Trimethylaminuria.
Wise PM, Eades J, Tjoa S, Fennessey PV, Preti G.

Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Individuals with the metabolic disorder trimethylaminuria may sporadically produce malodors despite good hygiene. The psychosocial impact of trimethylaminuria can be considerable. However, trimethylaminuria is difficult to diagnose without specialized tests, in part because odor production is diet-dependent and malodors may not be present during medical examinations. Thus, the prevalence and demographics of trimethylaminuria remain unclear.

METHODS:
We tested 353 patients who had unexplained (idiopathic) malodor production for trimethylaminuria using a standard choline challenge. We also collected basic demographic information.

RESULTS:
Approximately one third of patients (118) tested positive for trimethylaminuria. Consistent with previous reports, women, particularly African American women, were significantly overrepresented among trimethylaminuria-positive patients. Of note, the same pattern was seen among trimethylaminuria-negative patients. Also consistent with previous reports, trimethylaminuria-positive women who were still menstruating tended to produce higher levels of trimethylamine within ±7 days of menses, although this trend was statistically marginal (P = .07).

CONCLUSION:
If our patient sample is representative of patients with idiopathic malodor, demographic information (race and gender) may not be useful in a differential diagnosis of trimethylaminuria. However, undiagnosed cases of trimethylaminuria may be fairly common among patients with idiopathic malodor. If so, choline challenge testing should be indicated for all such patients because trimethylaminuria is responsive to dietary and other treatments. We speculate that testing also might reveal cases of trimethylaminuria among those diagnosed with certain psychologic disorders, including olfactory reference syndrome.

Opinion of blog post author on the abstract

This is the abstract of a new paper on trimethylaminuria (TMAU) published ahead of print of the full paper. It could be a paper unfinished from a while ago, since it includes Susan Tjoa as an author, who sadly passed away a few years ago now.

It sounds a very useful paper as evidence for the case of testing most people with a long-time suspected malodor problem, including those diagnosed with the recently defined psychiatric 'disorder' known as 'olfactory reference syndrome'.

Special points of interest
The number of people who 'failed' the test (about 1/3). This was probably under the 'Denver TMAU test reference ranges', which does not seem to regard TMA level alone as significant (and hence is very unlikely to find anyone positive for 'TMA substrate overload' (the most common type of TMAU2).

A large number of the positive cases were women and especially African American women. This seems to be a reflection of the community, although perhaps women are more likely to test. Nevertheless, women of African American descent seem to be over-represented in the community. Another point of interest relating to females is that although 'TMAU' is regarded as possibly being worse around menses, this proved so in the study but only marginally so.

They suggest it may be worthwhile testing those diagnosed with 'olfactory reference syndrome' for TMAU. This has been a MEBO Research suggestion for a while now. It would make an excellent study and possibly mark the end of 'ORS'.

They used a choline challange for the test. It would be interesting to see the test done using the 'TMAU carrier test' protocol, which involves taking 600mg TMA load. Normal people would still be able to process almost all of 600mg of TMA, but those with 'no reserve capacity' (probably all 'carriers') would likely show up along with 'sufferers'. It should also be noted that the test only applies to trimethylamine and not any other FMO3 substrate. Currently only trimethylamine is accepted by the few labs that do TMAU testing as being the only FMO3 substrate that causes an odor in people.

So, all in all, it sounds like an excellent paper as evidence about the prevalence of TMAU using the traditional TMAU testing methods and protocols followed by the Denver lab which has a long association with TMAU. The new Denver lab TMAU testing (UCD Biochemical Genetics Laboratory) is at the same premises but a different laboratory and presumably a different staff.

Cheryl Fields, MEBO's Community Outreach Director

Cheryl Fields, known on the forums as "Dr. StillStanding" is a long-time friend to all in the body odor and halitosis community. Cheryl developed an odor problem in the 1990's, but has not let it change her positive attitude towards life. As well as following a successful career in business, she has taken it upon herself to help everyone with a body odor or halitosis disorder as much as she can and is always involved in campaigning on behalf of the community. For years she has given the community her home phone number and email address so that sufferers can contact her at any time to talk to someone who knows what they are going through.

We are proud that Cheryl has accepted the MEBO Research offer to be our unpaid volunteer Community Outreach Director

Cheryl was diagnosed with trimethylaminuria in the early 1990's and has been an ardent supporter of any endeavor that helps the community. She is particularly interested in being a 'listening ear' to anyone in the community and in employment rights issues. We are proud that Cheryl has accepted the MEBO Research offer to be our unpaid volunteer Community Outreach Director, so that she can use the MEBO Research platform to reach as many people to help as possible, and to be part of MEBO's other intentions of finding a cure, our campaigns, and helping in any way possible. Cheryl has a Bachelor Degree in General Business, a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), and is a Doctoral Candidate (Ph.D./ABD), in Human Resources Management, from the School of Business. Cheryl had one daughter, Brittany Michelle, that passed away in 1996 from heart complications.

Home/Voicemail (785)-286-7005
email: cheryl.fields@meboresearch.org

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Book: "Work at home now"

All of the positions listed below are listed in the book, "work at home now
" by Durst and Haaren AND have real companies listed that hire for these positions. This book is among the best overall WFH books in the market. It also covers positions where one can be out and about (no office) and freelance positions.

link for kindle version

Accounting clerk
Bookkeeper
Accountant
Auditor
Sales/telesales/telemarketing
Customer service
Computer/it/software support
Software designers
Software testers
Library science/search experts
Over the phone interpreters
Other/various IT/creative positions
Account specialists - medical
Appointment setting/lead generation
Account executive
Administrative support
Transcription
Proofreading/editing
Translators
Data entry
Audio transcription
Virtual assistant

Adult tester/phone actress (yep, is what it is) lol

B2b marketing
Outside sales reps (travel)
Team leaders
Call evaluators
Mystery shoppers
Telephonic mystery shoppers
Photographers
3D tour photographers
Graphic designer
Various artistic jobs
Freelance designers, illustrators, artists
Verse writers
Flash writers/animators
Writers, copywriters
Call center
Concierge
Subject matter experts
Educators
Tutors
Admissions
Freelance thesis and dissertation specialists
Format editors
Staticians
Courthouse research
Insurance sales (life, health etc)
Judgement recovery
Telemedicine (doctor)
Telephonic triage (RN)
Teleradiology (radiologist)
Various healthcare
Resume writers
Attorney
Paralegal
Legal transcription
Medical transcription
Merchandising
Demonstrators
Various positions in nonprofits
Mobile notary

Volunteer TMAU test data table

MEBO public TMAU database

Currently the community has no access to trimethylaminuria test data, meaning those with the most interest in finding a cure have no information on testing patterns which may help us to better understand the disorder.

Nigel Manning, the Principal Clinical Scientist of Dept. Clinical Chemistry at Sheffield Children's Hospital and the only current trimethylaminuria phenotype tester in the UK did kindly give MEBO Research a PDF document a while ago that contained much appreciated anonymous information on his testing results of up until 2009.

Sheffield TMAU results up to 2009.
 Those to the right are genetic TMAU.
Above the line is TMA overload.
According to the ref ranges that Sheffield have set

To help understand TMAU better, MEBO Research have started a voluntary anonymous 'TMAU test result database' which is aavailable for public viewing. So far only a few testers from the Sheffield lab have kindly added their results. If anyone from anywhere wishes to add their results, they are welcome to do so through this form. There is no need to give any more information than you wish to.

It would also help people understand the different reference ranges and protocols of the labs currently testing. For instance, it is our understanding that the Denver lab expects a person to convert 92% of TMA to TMAO, whereas Sheffield only expects around 82% from TMA to TMAO. Since TMAU is such a 'neglected' problem, so few labs test for it and there is much more to be understood.

The database is held in a google docs spreadsheet and the public version will be a PDF document hosted on the MEBO Research website that will be regularly updated.

Most recent copy of public voluntary TMAU test result database

(PDF document hosted on the MEBO Research website)

Voluntary TMAU result database : enter your results here

Or you can fill the form below :

The Raising Awareness Petition reaches 194

It's only been a few weeks since MEBO Research launched a Petition to raise awareness of systemic body odor and halitosis conditions in an effort to show the medical community, educators, and political representatives the need for research into these devastating, life-altering conditions. So far 194 signatures have been collected from sufferers and non-sufferers alike who strongly support our efforts to strive towards a better odor-free life. It is a lot to ask anyone to sign such a petition when these conditions are still seen as a taboo and are misunderstood. We thank everyone who have shown support for this cause with their signatures.

Also remember that people can sign and have their name not shown by unclicking the box "Display my signature publicly"

Thanks to everyone supporting the project.

The MEBO Research Staff

UK : Volunteer needed for TMAU story in the media (newspaper)

A journalist in the UK has contacted tmau.org.uk to request a UK volunteer with TMAU to be part of an article for a news story. The journalist works with a news agency who then offer the story to newspapers/magazines (this is a common arrangement nowadays). It is not known if the volunteer gets paid.

The journalist name is Tammy Hughes and she works for catersnews

You can read about the offer on the tmau.org.uk website

Journalist looking for TMAU volunteer

Meeting with the United States House of Representatives

When Glenna Gonzalez, Public Relations Director of MEBO Research, met with Congressmen of the U.S. House of Representatives, she followed the guidelines set by the Genetic Alliance for making an impact on policy issues. Within the House of Representatives, she made sure that MEBO’s voice was heard regarding the issues concerning the sufferers it advocates for. With each Congressman, she shared collective stories concerning the plight of those suffering from metabolic body odor. She emphasized the need for testing and the need for research and funds. The visit was an attempt to build a relationship with the Congressmen and their congressional staff. The visits were very successful. Thus, the groundwork has been laid so that MEBO now has the opportunity to have meaningful interactions with these offices in its efforts to advocate for body odor disorders.

While each U.S. Representative took a particular stance on Health Care issues, MEBO addressed the issues of those affected and conveyed its reasons for wanting to make an impact on policy-making, as it relates to Health Care issues.

As discussed in our previous post, On Capitol Hill for MEBO Research, Glenna represented MEBO when she met with Congressional Staffers, including two U.S. Senators from Virginia, Jim Webb - (D) and Mark R. Warner - (D). She also met with following Congressional Staffers,

1. U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly of VA - (D) is a strong supporter of Health Care and supported The Affordable Care Act that extends access to affordable health insurance to 30 million Americans.
2. Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor of VA supports a bill that bars discrimination due to pre-existing conditions and offers affordable healthcare options to young people.
3. Representative James Moran - (D) is co-chair of the Congressional Prevention Caucus.

This group educates the public and Congress on disease prevention and health promotion.

Meeting with the U.S. Representatives on Genetics Day On The Hill gave MEBO the chance to get involved and make its voice as an international organization who propels the research of body odor disorders heard. MEBO stated what issues were important to it and what it hopes to accomplish via its advocacy efforts.

Thank you Glenna and all the signatories for your participation in finding a solution,

María

María de la Torre
Founder and Executive Director

A Public Charity

www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)

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PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO,

• raise awareness of systemic body odor conditions in the medical community
• governments to increase direct federal funding
• make scientific research of various types of body odor diseases a high-priority; including but not limited to, Trimethylamimuria (TMAU)
• efforts so that effective treatments and cures can be found.

PLEASE ASK YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND SUPPORTERS TO SIGN.
Anyone can select to either display or not display
his or her signature publicly on the petition.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE TO REPRESENT
A UNITED INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

New TMAU paper : L-Carnitine treatment and fish odor syndrome: An unwaited adverse effect.

This is a new 'case study' trimethylaminuria paper by a group in France. There is very little to read in the abstract,  but it implies that a patient on Levocarnitine treatment was probably smelling (of fish ?) and they were tested and found to be positive for TMAU. This problem with levocarnitine has been mentioned before in pubmed. It has to be remembered that TMA can be produced from carnitine by gut bacteria.

They use concise terms that in effect describe TMAU1 and the most common form  of TMAU2 (bacterial overgrowth):
TMAU1 :  enzyme deficiency (FMO3)
TMAU2 from bacterial overgrowth :  enzyme saturation

Presumably the paper title should say "unwanted" rather than "unwaited"

[L-Carnitine treatment and fish odor syndrome: An unwaited adverse effect.]
[Article in French]
Rocher F, Caruba C, Broly F, Lebrun C.
Source
Centre régional de pharmacovigilance (CRPV) de Nice, CHU de Nice, hôpital Cimiez, 4, avenue Victoria, BP 1179, 06003 Nice cedex 1, France.
Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
Levocarnitine treatment is usually well tolerated, with essentially dose-dependent diarrhea as the main induced adverse effect.


CASE REPORT:
We report a case of fish odor syndrome during levocarnitine treatment which resolved after levocarnitine discontinuation.


CONCLUSION:
This adverse effect seems to be correlated with excedent carnitine intake and might be expressed when the elimination pathway becomes saturated or in a situation of deficiency enzymatic metabolism.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21481905

So it should be remembered that the TMAU diet probably involves reducing carnitine as well as choline.
wikipedia entry for carnitine

Employment accommodations and Vocational Rehabilitation for body odor sufferers

After brainstorming amongst some of MEBO Research's volunteers on the career needs of sufferers, a few brilliant ideas have come forth. I would like for MEBO to initiate some of these ideas sooner than later. The great thing about the position we are currently at is that MEBO’s Public Relations Director has already made contact with staff members of 2 Senators and 4 Representatives on Capitol Hill, and MEBO’s Community Outreach Director has also establish a good rapport with staffers in Michelle Obama’s Office in the White House. Consequently, we are in a very good position to write to the “right people” to promote our agenda. We thank you Glenna and Cheryl. Below are a few of the projects we have been brainstorming about:

1. To establish relations with government and private employment agencies and to set up a program geared toward addressing the needs of sufferers, such as working from home, especially during flare-ups, as in the case of women during their menstrual cycle.
2. To establish rapport with key contacts in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to establish educational/training projects to help sufferers prepare for, gain or retain employment.
3. After establishing these contacts and commencing new program options for sufferers, MEBO could consider opening an employment placement department, in which MEBO will work with government and private agencies/companies interested in hiring sufferers diagnosed with TMAU, bromhidrosis, or any other odor condition.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that works with people who have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gain or retain employment. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.

In addition to the general customer employment program, VR has additional specific programs designed to help eligible people with disabilities become employed.
New Innovation and Expansion Projects (PDF)

In order to carry out this program successfully, MEBO is asking for volunteers who would be willing to submit a brief testimonial of their respective job-related experiences and challenges, and what possible solutions the sufferer believes would have resolved his or her particular problem. If the sufferer believes that the solution would have been a career change, what type of career and training/education would be required for such a change.

In an effort for this project to have a significant impact when we approach politicians and representatives of these agencies, MEBO’s Raising Awareness would need to get at least 10,000 signatures for it to be presented and recognized at a state level. Although we have received 183 in one and a half months, we need to promote it much more, and to ask family and friends to support us with their signature. We’ve gotten off to a great start, but need to push it much further.

I wish to thank all the volunteers who have been so very much dedicated to this cause. More information on this effort will be forthcoming within the next few months.

María


María de la Torre
Founder and Executive Director

A Public Charity

www.meboresearch.org
maria.delatorre@meboresearch.org
MEBO's Blog (English)
El Blog de MEBO (español)