We've all seen cancer awareness campaigns. Pink ribbons and yellow plastic bracelets have become familiar embellishments on the people and places around us. While those movements have made some great strides, I often wonder how many people are actually motivated to take action. We all know someone who is not likely to rush home and schedule their colon cancer screening or mammogram, even though they are intelligent individuals and sensitive to the cause.
So, what if that person received a note from you, reminding/nudging/prodding them to schedule their screening? My hope is that a message from a relative or friend might just have enough sway to push them into action.
If you would like to have a reminder sent to a loved one or friend, please fill out the Very Important Reminders webform in the left nav bar.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Periwinkle Foundation
The Periwinkle Foundation http://www.periwinklefoundation.org/
Self Description: "The Periwinkle Foundation develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children's Hospital."
Stats: More than 4000 kids participated in programs sponsored by The Periwinkle Foundation in 2008. Annual Report
Personal Notes: Mark discovered this organization through several of our friends who volunteer for Periwinkle and speak very highly of it. Among other programs, the organization runs camps for children with cancer. The camps give these seriously ill children a chance to have fun and be kids. Mark was in his thirties when diagnosed with cancer and many people would exclaim how he was "too young" to be that sick. It struck both Mark and me that , yes, he was young, but he at least had a chance to complete some of life's milestones: attend grade, middle and high school, finish college, have a first love, learn to drive, see some of the world... Some of the kids that attend Periwinkle have not even lived a decade. Mark very much wanted to help some of these kids have fun life experiences, despite their illnesses. Periwinkle is an ideal way to help make this happen.
Self Description: "The Periwinkle Foundation develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children's Hospital."
Stats: More than 4000 kids participated in programs sponsored by The Periwinkle Foundation in 2008. Annual Report
Personal Notes: Mark discovered this organization through several of our friends who volunteer for Periwinkle and speak very highly of it. Among other programs, the organization runs camps for children with cancer. The camps give these seriously ill children a chance to have fun and be kids. Mark was in his thirties when diagnosed with cancer and many people would exclaim how he was "too young" to be that sick. It struck both Mark and me that , yes, he was young, but he at least had a chance to complete some of life's milestones: attend grade, middle and high school, finish college, have a first love, learn to drive, see some of the world... Some of the kids that attend Periwinkle have not even lived a decade. Mark very much wanted to help some of these kids have fun life experiences, despite their illnesses. Periwinkle is an ideal way to help make this happen.
Hospice Austin
http://www.hospiceaustin.org
Self Description: "At Hospice Austin, the emphasis is on living - living each day to the fullest, in a comfortable place, free of pain and in the company of loved ones." More...
Stats: Hospice Austin raised $1.9 mm and provided $1.8mm in charity care in 2008. That is half a million more than 2007 and 700% growth since 2000. Hospice Austin began as a grass roots group in 1979. Annual Report
Personal Notes: A hospice nurse once said to me "Well honey, no one ever WANTS to go to hospice." Very true. The term hospice strikes fear into the patient and the family because, once uttered, everyone knows the prognosis is grim. However, few people ever talk about the fact that hospice is life saving -- just not in the way that you think. Hospice Austin's existence saved my life as a caretaker and saved the quality of Mark's life during his last days. I am forever grateful to the staff for their tireless compassion and high-level of care. When someone you love is that sick, you will give anything to ensure they don't suffer. Patients have the same need to know their loved ones -- their caregivers -- are not suffering either. Hospice helps with all of this. The saintly individuals who work there have chosen to help patients and their families negotiate the most difficult time in any life. They are angels among us.
Self Description: "At Hospice Austin, the emphasis is on living - living each day to the fullest, in a comfortable place, free of pain and in the company of loved ones." More...
Stats: Hospice Austin raised $1.9 mm and provided $1.8mm in charity care in 2008. That is half a million more than 2007 and 700% growth since 2000. Hospice Austin began as a grass roots group in 1979. Annual Report
Personal Notes: A hospice nurse once said to me "Well honey, no one ever WANTS to go to hospice." Very true. The term hospice strikes fear into the patient and the family because, once uttered, everyone knows the prognosis is grim. However, few people ever talk about the fact that hospice is life saving -- just not in the way that you think. Hospice Austin's existence saved my life as a caretaker and saved the quality of Mark's life during his last days. I am forever grateful to the staff for their tireless compassion and high-level of care. When someone you love is that sick, you will give anything to ensure they don't suffer. Patients have the same need to know their loved ones -- their caregivers -- are not suffering either. Hospice helps with all of this. The saintly individuals who work there have chosen to help patients and their families negotiate the most difficult time in any life. They are angels among us.
Swimming Charities
Colin's Hope
Self Description: "Colin's Hope is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Colin's Hope of saving children from drowning is being achieved through increased water safety awareness and improved standards throughout the community."
http://www.colinshope.org/
Swim Safe for Austin Kids
Self Description: "Statesman Swim Safe for Austin Kids is a nonprofit program that provides free and low-cost swim lessons for at-risk children. Swim Safe works toward making Central Texas a safer place by giving its youngest citizens this important life skill."
To Donate: http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org/?nd=donate_detail&donation_id=33&return_nd=donate
Stew Leonard III Children's Charities Foundation
Self Description: "The focus is promoting safe and responsible growth and development in kids through nutritional awareness and water safety.”
http://www.stewleonards.com/water_safety/home.cfm
Personal Notes: Mark was passionate about swimming all of his life. He was a true water bug, swimming in pools, lakes, bays --wherever he got the chance. You could say he even evangelized about the joys of swimming and would often teach friends to swim during informal lessons. Mark also cared a great deal about making sure children learn to swim at a young age.
Self Description: "Colin's Hope is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates and supports programs that aid in preventing children from drowning. Despite numerous sources for water safety, the number of children who drown per year is staggering. Colin's Hope of saving children from drowning is being achieved through increased water safety awareness and improved standards throughout the community."
http://www.colinshope.org/
Swim Safe for Austin Kids
Self Description: "Statesman Swim Safe for Austin Kids is a nonprofit program that provides free and low-cost swim lessons for at-risk children. Swim Safe works toward making Central Texas a safer place by giving its youngest citizens this important life skill."
To Donate: http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org/?nd=donate_detail&donation_id=33&return_nd=donate
Stew Leonard III Children's Charities Foundation
Self Description: "The focus is promoting safe and responsible growth and development in kids through nutritional awareness and water safety.”
http://www.stewleonards.com/water_safety/home.cfm
Personal Notes: Mark was passionate about swimming all of his life. He was a true water bug, swimming in pools, lakes, bays --wherever he got the chance. You could say he even evangelized about the joys of swimming and would often teach friends to swim during informal lessons. Mark also cared a great deal about making sure children learn to swim at a young age.
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