The Woman’s Guide to Charities
Fight the Good Fight With These Winning Organizations
In this day and age there are horrible things happening in our world. Children and adults are dying of cancer, diseases are taking over our lives, and many other catastrophic events affect our country and world. There is a large population in our country that spends much of their free time helping these organizations “fight the good fight.” These people either volunteer or donate to various philanthropic events or non-profit organizations to help those in need.
The following list of non-profit organizations is only a few of the thousands in the world. The few organizations that appear on this list are important to me, because a family member or friend has benefited from their services. Although some of these organizations may pull at your heartstrings, others may not seem important to you at this time. It is important to remember, however, that the list of important organizations will change for each of us throughout our lifetimes, as the needs and lives of our families and friends change.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
This international foundation has been the global leader in the fight against breast cancer. The Komen Foundation began as a promise between two sisters: Susan Goodman Komen and Nancy Goodman Brinker. In 1978, Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time there was not much known about the disease. Before her death at the age of 36, Susan asked Nancy to do everything possible to eradicate breast cancer. Nancy kept her promise to her sister and has lead the way in funding breast cancer research by founding the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982 in Susan’s memory. The Komen Foundation supports innovative research and community-based outreach programs to rid the world of breast cancer. There are more than 75,000 volunteers helping to make a difference by supporting this foundation. There are many different ways that one can help this cause: make a donation for the “Search for the Cure”, volunteer in different events held by the Komen Foundation, participating in Race for the Cure, participate by writing a letter to your Congressmen about the importance of funding breast cancer research (Champions for the Cure), or even wear breast cancer apparel to spread the word about breast cancer research.
For more information, please go to http://www.komen.org
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is one of the leading non-profit health organizations offering research, information and advocacy about diabetes. The funding that the ADA receives goes to scientific research, provides information to local communities about the disease, and publishes scientific findings. These and other services help the 18.2 million Americans that have diabetes, including their families and communities. This organization also tries to battle insurance companies to get testing supplies covered. The ADA also fights for the rights of those people with diabetes. The mission of the organization is to “prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.” The Association also offers awareness to those who have the possibility of contracting the disease, and advises people about choices they can make to lower their chances of developing the disease. There are many ways to aid the American Diabetes Association in this goal: making monetary donations, volunteering to get awareness into new communities, and walking in the Walk for Diabetes to raise money.
For more information, please go to http://www.diabetes.org
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Most of us have known an adult who has cancer, and we know the pain and suffering these people have gone through. Now, just imagine those same fears and emotions coming from a child. Wouldn’t you be scared? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been reducing the death statistics of childhood cancer. St. Jude was founded by the nationally known entertainer, Danny Thomas. This was Danny’s dream and his promise to St. Jude, and the doors opened in 1962. The funding and donations that St. Jude receives goes toward covering all the medical costs that the families’ insurance will not cover. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital “is to find cures for children with catastrophic illnesses through research and treatment.” St. Jude’s doctors are finding new treatments every day to help the fight in ending childhood cancer. These scientists are doing research in gene therapy, molecular, genetic and chemical bases diseases, and in such areas as bone marrow and pediatric AIDS.
Over 20,000 children have been treated at St. Jude’s since it opened, and if these families did not have insurance: they were never asked to pay! There are many ways that one can help support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: make a donation, shop in their “Shop for Hope” store, or one can participate in their various events: The Dream Day Concerts, The Dream Home, and similar local activities.
For more information, please go to http://www.stjude.org
The Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an international organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. This organization was founded in 1980 after granting a wish of a child that wanted to be a police officer. The Arizona Highway Patrol helped make this wish happen. After the story was publicized, many people were touched by the thought of giving a child his/her dying wish. So many people were affected that they founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It normally takes $5,000 to grant a single wish, and the most commonly requested wish is to go to Disney World. Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is the largest wish-granting organization in the country and it has granted over 100,000 wishes to children all over the world. The wish children range from two years of age to eighteen years old. Children are referred to the organization by either their social worker or doctor and then the wish process starts. They may ask for such things as meeting Barney or getting a stereo system in their car. The wish depends on the child, and every wish leaves the volunteers ecstatic. There are many ways one can help grant these children’s wishes: one can donate to the Foundation, volunteer at the local chapter’s office, become a volunteer wish granter, or go to local events that donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
For More Information, please go to http://www.wish.org
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society helps to support and fund the research to find a cure and treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. Nearly 400,000 Americans currently have the degenerative disease, and nearly 2.5 million people around the world have MS. This Society teaches patients and their families about the disease and the different complications that come from having the disease. They also teach awareness concerning the factors which may cause an attack, the disease process, the symptoms, and the history. There are many ways that you can help support the Society: you can donate to the society, become a volunteer and support awareness, or participate in the Walk for MS.
For More Information, please go to http://www.nmss.org
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society’s goal is to find research to eradicate cancer from all forms of life. The Society has also led the way for over 80 years in cancer research. They provide the most up-to-date information on cancer and ways to treat it. The ACS also leads community-based programs that teach communities how to lessen the odds of their bodies contracting various forms of cancer. They teach how to prevent getting cancer by eating a healthy diet and by not smoking or drinking alcohol. There are ways that you can support this cause: by donating time and money, and by participating in nation wide fund-raisers such as Daffodil Days.
For more information, please go to http://www.cancer.org
All of these charities are trying to help the world in the fight toward eradicating some form of disease or trying to enrich the human life and spirit. I hope that you will keep these organizations in mind when you have a little extra time or money to put toward a great cause. These organizations can always use the help and support from the generous people of our great nation. I hope that this information has opened your mind and heart to the possibilities of helping those in need.
