ObesityHelp.com is not just a web site. Rather it is an industrial-strength, database-driven community. Nowhere else....

• can over 300,000 members come and update their surgeon or insurance comments and those updates be immediately available to people searching those databases.
• is a surgery date support page automatically created for a member the instant he or she lists a surgery date for him or herself.
• can visitors view literally thousands of answers posted to many hundreds of questions, neatly organized by category and subcategory in a keyword-searchable database.
• can you browse the profile pages of over 300,000 members, all searchable by location, name and status and linked to from posting boards.
• are member before-and-after pics be automatically added to a photo-gallery, with their picture appearing next to their postings.
• can health care and medical professionals be educated about the special needs of obese patients

These and other features require a lot of computer power, especially since they are used by between 25,000 and 35,000 visitors per day.

Many thousands of dollars are needed weekly to keep this site going. Hundreds of requests for technical help come in each week from members asking help with their profile, or getting into the chat room, etc. Increasingly powerful web database servers are needed as we are constantly upgrading to keep pace with increased data handling needs. Full time technical staff are required to simply keep the site going, and others are needed to make the constant improvements that we strive for. All this is just for the web site. Beyond this we need thousands of dollars to fund our various public education initiatives.

We currently rely on the financial support of both member contributions as well as surgeon and hospital sponsorship. With typical surgical revenue being at least $2,500 per surgery and typical hospital revenue being at least $15,000 per surgery, we would certainly appreciate your efforts in helping us obtain sponsorship from your surgeon and your hospital. Beyond this, however it is vital that we retain a high degree of member-sponsored autonomy. As such, we carry much more respect as an organization. Direct support from members helps us balance corporate sponsor priorities with the vital interests of our patient members, granting us a much higher degree of integrity as a grass-roots, peer-support organization.

Help us thank our supporting members!

If you are like many members, you would say that this web site was very helpful to you. Yet, you might not realize how valuable your financial support could be here as you regularly spend money on food, video tapes, books, magazines, cigarettes, movies, and other items each month. For every dollar that you contribute, we are able to reach at least one additional health care worker to educate them about morbid obesity. For every dollar that you contribute, we are able to reach perhaps one additional individual suffering from morbid obesity that we wouldn't have otherwise been able to reach. The list goes on. If you believe in our cause, then your financial support is a wise investment in our society at large. Click here to read about our PCP outreach efforts.

Never. This site will never exclude anyone from its services on the basis of sponsored membership status. All financial contribution from patient members will remain entirely voluntary. That being said, we will offer various rewards for those amongst our ranks who come forward to sponsor us financially and/or volunteer with the site.

Your contributions are used in a variety of ways. From basic web computer operating expenses and site maintenance to education of bariatric professionals and other outreach programs. An example of your dollars at work is our PCP outreach program. This program helps educated Primary Care Physicians on the special needs of obese patients. We help them to realize that obesity is a treatable condition and not just a lack of will power problem. We also help them to find out if their office is Obese Sensitive; such as having armless chairs and larger equipment. You can go here and read about some of the things we try and educate them about.

Next, resources are required for administrative and member-service related expenses. Resources are also needed for site enhancement — the development of new features. After these expenses are met, funds are desired for various marketing and other outreach activities. Ultimately, these will include educating thousands of physicians and hopefully millions of patients about the health, psychological, and social costs of obesity. Other expenses accumulate as well.

First of all, we carry a number of great items in our store. These include books, tshirts and more, and are well worth their listed value. In addition, within our store one can purchase sponsored membership levels from us. These levels provide different recognition and other benefits. Click here for more details. You can purchase a sponsorship in a variety of ways: by credit card online or via phone or fax (we accept checks and money orders).

Yes! There are many ways that you can help out. By all means, do first consider, however, supporting us by making even a small purchase from our store. If this is not an option for you at this time, however, then please explore the wealth of ways that you can help us out by participating in a number of highly important projects we have ongoing. Click here to learn how you can volunteer your time to the site.