I nominated the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Both are wonderful, and are helping those of us with a child/family member with CF find a cure.
I also nominated the CFF - my husband has CF and the fact that he's here and healthy and now having a child is nothing short of a miracle when he was "supposed" to die in his teens.
I nominated Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org) they work around the world and in the United States to improve the lives of children and families. One focus is on researching and designing programs to help babies survive their first day and first 5 years and making sure women have access to medical care during pregnancy and birth. They also respond to emergencies around the world(just this year, Syria, Nepal, and Ebola) and their staff routinely put themselves in harms way to help others.
"For Jake’s Sake is a non-profit, created to raise money and provide the ability for autistic children to access effective therapies they otherwise could not afford. Children with autism need certain therapies to overcome their symptoms, yet schools and health insurance providers may not provide access or adequate services to meet the child’s needs. We will provide qualifying families the funding to obtain effective therapy – because every child deserves the chance to realize their full potential."
I nominated Ronald McDonald House Charities. They have hotel-like "houses" near bigger children's hospitals to help families stay nearby to the patient for little to no cost. They also have some services and amenities to help the families. I sent many families there when I worked as a medical social worker and I adore them!
I haven't yet but this will also be mine. They provided a ton of free services to us while my LO was in the NICU and I was so grateful. We only utilized the free lunches because we fortunately lived only 10 minutes away, but they also had free overnight rooms right in the hospital for NICU/PICU families who needed them.
Post by kellybenelly83 on Apr 30, 2015 10:08:02 GMT -5
I appreciate that you are making Non-American organizations an option, I'm only in Canada but a lot of the time its ignored if its not USA. So I submitted the MS Society of Canada which I fundraise for every year. Its a really great organization that offers support and research to people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
edit to shamelessly plug my fundraising page: if anyone feels the urge, I appreciate any support.
Last Edit: Apr 30, 2015 10:09:12 GMT -5 by kellybenelly83
Married 10/10/10! TTC Baby #1 since April 2014 BFP Oct 16 - EP terminated Nov 6 2014 Off the Bench January 2015! BFP #2 June 1 2015 - EDD Feb 12 2016! Baby Boy born 15th February 2016!
Post by ThePinkSuperhero on Apr 30, 2015 11:10:37 GMT -5
I have nominated You Gotta Believe, a foundation dedicated to promoting finding permanent homes for teens in foster care. They are based in the NYC area but the work and lobbying they do has a nationwide impact.
I nominated Ronald McDonald House Charities. They have hotel-like "houses" near bigger children's hospitals to help families stay nearby to the patient for little to no cost. They also have some services and amenities to help the families. I sent many families there when I worked as a medical social worker and I adore them!
I haven't yet but this will also be mine. They provided a ton of free services to us while my LO was in the NICU and I was so grateful. We only utilized the free lunches because we fortunately lived only 10 minutes away, but they also had free overnight rooms right in the hospital for NICU/PICU families who needed them.
I'll also be nominating the Ronald McDonald House Charities. We stayed in one when my son was in the NICU for 68 days (4 hours from home) and could not have done it without them. For $20/night you got room & board, meals provided by volunteers & just so much love & support. And of course they didn't turn anyone away if they couldn't afford the fee.
I nominated A Special Wish - Cleveland Chapter. A Special Wish Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children under the age of 21 and diagnosed as having a life- threatening disorder. The Cleveland branch also does Mini-wishes in addition to one big wish. This one is near and dear to my heart because they have done a ton for my family as my daughter was born with congenital heart defects and without major open heart surgery will eventually need to have heart and lung transplants.
Post by lildevil968 on May 1, 2015 16:33:46 GMT -5
I just nominated Ronald McDonald house charities. When my daughter was 5 months old, she contracted Bacterial Meningitis, and she was life flighted to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. We where there for 1 month. During that month, Ronald McDonald house provided us a place to stay, clothes, toiletries, and gift cards for food. We didn't have to pay for anything, everything was provided for us.
I used the form to nominate the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their mission and fight has been going on for so long and we need them now just as much as we did when they were founded.
Post by Captain Serious on May 2, 2015 16:16:58 GMT -5
I nominated charity: water. They use 100% of of their donations directly to fund water projects, always. Donations are never used to cover operating expenses.
My son lived his first 7 years without access to water. He was so thirsty he drank mud. It impacted his development and health, and it will have lifelong consequences. I'd love it if we can make sure no other child, woman, or man ever has to know that kind of thirst.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, established in 1974, is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders.
Until the website has enough ad revenue to actually donate maybe you could take this list and create a page of links stored somewhere as a guide to places we recommend or something like that. As a way to encourage people who only think to donate to their favorites to step outside their comfort zone and see other worthwhile causes.
I nominated the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It will be twenty years ago this coming August that we lost my mother to suicide. This foundation has bought what was once a very hushed topic out into the light by providing education and support to the public.
Participating in the foundation's walks has made me and my siblings feel a little less alone in the world. Even if this charity isn't picked this quarter, please feel free to PM me with any questions about suicide prevention awareness and education programs.
March of Dimes. I have two aggressively healthy three year olds, born at 29 weeks 6 days, 3lb 2oz and 3lb 7oz. Thank God for surfactant therapy and every other medical advancement that helps to improve prognoses for premature infants and/or prevent preterm labor.
Nominations are in. I chose St. Jude's Research Hospital and the ASPCA. St. Jude's is one of the most beautiful causes I can think of, and as an animal lover and mommy to rescued pets, I have to put something in there for the furry critters.
EDIT: I decided on RESOLVE for my third nomination.
Much along the lines of what joy said, I also believe it is important to provide fun memories for those who are sick or hurting.
My favorite charities are those centered around the betterment of children's lives. I nominated Child's Play (link).
"Child's Play seeks to improve the lives of children in hospitals and domestic violence shelters through the generosity and kindness of the video game industry and the power of play."
One thing I love about them is that they post Amazon Wish Lists for hospitals all over the US (89), a couple handfuls in Canada (9), and 13 others worldwide. Please consider chipping in to purchase something for them or donate to the charity!
I also nominated Child's Play. Full disclosure, my DH works at Penny Arcade and is deeply involved with this charity. However, just last week we also experienced first hand how this charity helps children. I had to take my toddler in to Children's Hospital in Seattle (luckily it turned out to be nothing too serious) and he needed x-rays, a sonogram, and IV placed. He was so scared, until the nurse gave him a little toy car. It was such a small thing, but he suddenly seemed less scared and had something to distract him from the chaos going on around him. I can't even imagine what it is like for children that are admitted to hospitals (or live in domestic violence shelters) for extended periods, and how much programs like this can help somewhat normalize their lives.
I also nominated Ronald McDonald House! My friend had a preemie at 24 weeks (he's 5 years old now); he had to be transported to a hospital 2 hours away from them. She lived at RMH for 4 months so she could be close to her son. Without them, she would have only been able to see him on weekends. Such a simple gesture, but such a wonderful thing!
I also nominated a couple small, local charities. I'm not sure if they have a chance since I'm sure everyone has a local charity they feel strongly about, but I had to at least put them out there .
I nominated the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization. All of these organizations have touched my life in some way.
Post by JukEboXtheTanK on Jun 6, 2015 14:33:58 GMT -5
As a car guy I would love to nominate ROWW set up by Paul Walker. I have already donated a bunch of money to them this spring and last year with the car group I setup and its great to see that acceptance letter when the show is over and how much we have raise.
I nominated the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It will be twenty years ago this coming August that we lost my mother to suicide. This foundation has bought what was once a very hushed topic out into the light by providing education and support to the public.
Participating in the foundation's walks has made me and my siblings feel a little less alone in the world. Even if this charity isn't picked this quarter, please feel free to PM me with any questions about suicide prevention awareness and education programs.
This is an absolutely brilliant idea, and I thank you ladies for it!! I +1 @wallflwr926, I can't say anything better than she has already shared about AFSP, and please feel free to PM me about the same!
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