Established in 2011 by Dr. Michael H. Tirgan, the KRF is a non for profit medical research and educational organization. The mission of KRF is to foster scientific research in keloid disorder and to promote education, advocacy, and service to those who suffer from this disorder.

Keloid is a benign skin condition which results in excessive growth and formation of tumor like areas in an otherwise healthy skin. Despite their benign nature, keloids may constitute severe aesthetic as well as functional problems that can negatively impact patients' quality of life.

Keloids are mostly observed between ages of 10 and 30. There is no consensus on best method of treatment for this condition; neither do we have any form of wholly satisfactory therapy. Keloids do not regress and are characterized by a high rate of recurrence after surgery or other forms of treatment. Indeed, surgical treatment often gives rise to even larger lesions. In addition, being a uniquely human condition, no animal study models are available.

Unfortunately, keloid is a disease that has been neglected by the research community. As of June 26, 2011, there are only 6 open research trials listed on clinicaltrials.gov and only one trial looking into the genomics of familial keloids. This is a major contrast to the number of open clinical trials for breast cancer. A cursory review of clinicaltrials.gov with the search term "breast cancer" lists 1673 open clinical trials; and for search term "erectile dysfunction" 73 open trials.

Keloid is a very common condition, yet there are no statistics as to its incidence and prevalence, neither in United States, nor elsewhere in the world. This disease entity, although very common and although at times very disabling, has not captured interest of the research community. Keloid is an area of unmet medical need. This disease behaves quite similar to cancer, yet it does not metastasize to tissues outside skin (or may be it does and we simply do not know about it).

KRF was formed to foster scientific research in this disease. To accomplish its goals, KRF will raise funds, increase awareness and bolster interest in this disease. We will not make any progress in this disease unless we dedicate same kind of interest, effort and energy that we have dedicated to cancer research.

KRF is a non for profit organization and needs your help to succeed. If you suffer from keloid, or are simply interested in helping this cause, please join us as a volunteer. We can use your help and support. Please take a moment to review our webpage about volunteer opportunities. If your skill set is not listed there and you believe you can help KRF, please contact us via e mail.