These Terms of Use set forth the terms and conditions that apply to your use of the web site located at http://www.IAMIBS.org ("Site") and the services and materials offered. Please read this carefully before using this Site.

By using this Site, you signify your assent to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to all of these terms and conditions of use, do not use this Site.

We may revise and update these terms and conditions at any time. Your continued usage of the Site will mean you accept those changes.

Who We Are

IAMIBS.org

IAMIBS.org ("IAMIBS") is a trademark of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ("IFFGD"). IFFGD is a public charity designated under the U.S. IRS code 501(c)(3). The foundation is a nonprofit education and research organization dedicated to informing, assisting, and supporting people affected by gastrointestinal disorders.

Our Purpose

IAMIBS Community

The impact of IBS is social, economic, and personal. It's a community challenge that requires community solutions. Our purpose is to recognize those challenges and facilitate solutions.

The IAMIBS Community expands the definition of those "affected by IBS" to include all of those affected directly or indirectly by IBS, such as: sufferers, family members, friends, coworkers, employers, educators, insurers, healthcare professionals, regulators, elected officials, researchers, manufacturers, and community businesses.

Who Supports Us

This Site is independently created and maintained by IFFGD. One of the ways we sustain this effort is through community support. We seek support from donors that may include: individuals, companies, foundations, charitable trusts, associations and others. These donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

We identify our Site supporters. (Individuals have the option of remaining anonymous.) Companies, foundations, and associations are identified by their legal or recognized name. These acknowledgments are in recognition of support and are non-promotional. IAMIBS.org reserves the right to refuse funding support for any reason.

Funding contributions that meet established criteria may be recognized with additional reserved space on the Site designated as Support Recognition Areas. Support Recognition Areas are reserved for Community Supporters and for Underwriters.

Community Supporters and Underwriters are third-parties that voluntarily contribute funds to support IAMIBS.org. Details on becoming a Community Supporter or Underwriter are available by request emailed to: support.request@IAMIBS.org or by contacting IFFGD. General information about becoming a Community Supporter or Underwriter may be found in our Support Policy.

General

Authorship and Content

Content on this Site is provided by IFFGD and subject to review by members of the

The quotes on "The Faces of IBS Are All Around You," located on our home page, are real comments from real people. The faces are of models and names have been changed, in keeping with our privacy policy. We do not publish names without permission.

Complimentary Nature

Information on this Site is provided for general informational purposes. It is in no way intended to replace the knowledge or diagnosis of your doctor or other health care professional. For specific guidance regarding personal health questions, we advise consultation with a qualified health care professional familiar with your particular circumstances.

Limitations

The IAMIBS.org site does not guarantee or endorse any specific product or treatment. Occasionally, specific products or treatments are cited in content or acknowledgments. However, no endorsement is intended or implied. Our intent is focused on overall treatment or management issues and strategies. We advise consulting a physician when health problems arise requiring an expert's care.

Advertisement

IAMIBS.org does not post advertisements.

Web Linking Policy

IAMIBS.org, at its discretion, may provide links to third-party web sites. A link from IAMIBS.org does not imply any recommendation or endorsement of the third-party or of the content on any third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites, and do not make any representations regarding their content or accuracy. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such sites.

IAMIBS.org provides links to certain pages - which are created, maintained, and moderated by IFFGD - located on sites that embrace "Web 2.0" technology and design. Specifically, these include: Facebook and YouTube. IAMIBS.org makes a good faith effort to ensure that we do not link to Web pages that contain information that is inaccurate or intended to be misleading; or that in any event is not, in our judgment, in keeping with generally accepted professional standards.

We do not endorse any commercial third-parties, products, services, or programs. IAMIBS.org is not responsible for information or advice provided by others, including those we link to from our Site. IAMIBS.org is not responsible for the security or privacy practices of those sites, the products or services offered by those sites, or the content appearing at those sites.

Cookies

A cookie is a small file created by an Internet site to store information on your computer. IAMIBS.org collects non-personal information about your use of this Site through the use of cookies. This provides information that helps us improve the Site experience. Examples include: helping determine content for the Site, monitoring how many people use the Site, and determining the popularity of pages.

The IAMIBS.org site uses session (temporary) cookies for Site visitors. The cookie is deleted when your browser is closed. We respect your privacy; this cookie is not shared with any third parties.

Support Policy

Overview

IAMIBS.org seeks support from individuals, organizations, commercial entities, and others interested in the delivery of health and lifestyle information, and in helping find solutions for those affected by IBS.

This support helps sustain the IAMIBS.org site. It provides benefits to our visitors and the IAMIBS.org community by facilitating access to information, resources, and support.

All contributors to the Site are recognized for their support. Contributors that meet certain criteria (determined by IAMIBS.org) may be additionally recognized in reserved space on the Site ("Recognition Areas" or "Areas"). Recognition Areas are reserved for Community Supporters and Underwriters.

IAMIBS.org provides opportunities for Community Supporters and Underwriters to show their support for IAMIBS.org community.

Community Supporters and Underwriters are third-parties that voluntarily contribute funds to support IAMIBS.org. Details on how to become a Community Supporter or Underwriter are available by request emailed to: support.request@IAMIBS.org or by contacting IFFGD.

Recognition Areas

Recognition Areas are defined spaces on the site designated for the public recognition of Community Supporters and Underwriters. Appearance and content of each Area must be in keeping with the noncommercial nature of IAMIBS.org

Community Supporters

Community Supporters provide specific levels of financial support for IAMIBS.org and are recognized within a designated Area within a Site page. A Community Supporter may appear in more than one page depending on their level of support. The Area may include a name, company logo, and message no longer than 20 words in length.

Messages should convey expressions of support without being commercial or promotional.

Here are two examples of acceptable messages from an imaginary business Community Supporter:

"The 'supporter name' is pleased to support IBS Awareness Month during the month of April"

"The people at 'supporter name' are proud to be a part of the IAMIBS Community"

Community Underwriters

Community Underwriters are major contributors to IAMIBS.org. Underwriters may be recognized in several ways:

• Within Areas located on multiple pages within the Site
• On a dedicated page within the Site to briefly describe (300 words or less) how they support the IAMIBS.org Community.
• With a link, from their dedicated Site page, to their own web site.

Anyone may be an Underwriter. If an Underwriter is a company, foundation, or association, the dedicated page may include the organization or company name, the name of a subsidiary, operating division or parent company, the organization or division logo, and additional language which further clarifies the identity of the Underwriter. This language may contain:

• Underwriter's business name
• Factual information about the underwriter, including location, product name and description of services
• A neutral description of products, services, or business purposes
• Slogans or corporate positioning statements that identify but do not promote
• A link to the Underwriter's web address (provided the site has a privacy policy that is clearly posted and linked to on the destination site's landing page or home page).
• The organization's mission
• Event dates and locations
• Trade names, product or service listing which help identify the business
• The duration of the business or service (e.g., "providing services to consumers for over 50 years...")

Certain content is prohibited. For example, information on the dedicated page on the IAMIBS.org site may not:

• Advertise products or services
• Make product or service claims
• Include price information (including "free") or value claims
• Make qualitative claims
• Make comparisons with other companies, products, or services
• Provide incentives or inducements to buy products or services
• Include comparative descriptions or language (e.g. the best, bigger, faster)
• Make qualitative statements which involve subjective evaluation of quality (e.g. fine, great, rich, superb)
• Include first or second person pronouns (e.g. I, me, you)

All content on the Site designated pages is subject to evaluation and final approval by IAMIBS.org and should be in keeping with the noncommercial nature of the Site.