The VHL Family Alliance is dedicated to fighting a hereditary form of cancer known as von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) in which "knots" of capillaries form tumors and cysts in various parts of the body. An international organization founded in 1993 and staffed almost entirely by volunteers, VHLFA funds research, provides support and medical networking, maintains a website (in four languages), publishes three newsletters a year as well as an annual research report and handbook, and runs support groups that provide information in 12 languages. Research for early detection of this genetic cancer-damage to the VHL gene is also responsible for 85% of kidney cancers in the general population -- treatment, improved quality of life, and ultimately prevention, are the goals. More immediately, funding is needed for distribution of the VHL Handbook and other educational materials to a membership of 14,000 people worldwide. Your support sustains educational and support programs, and helps fund research that may someday untie the "knot" of VHL!