This year I made a commitment to give back to the community by making a charitable donation every month.
Well, I get busy and one thing led to another, and I got a few months behind. I did Sponsor a Child for the NCJW Back to School Store, but it’s already May and I’m 4 months behind.
Yesterday, I got caught up by making donations to 5 charities.
5 Deserving Charities that Need Your Support:
1. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
A good friend and former home buyer client, Dana Gaby, lost her dad to leukemia in February 1994. Last year, she completed her first half-marathon with Team in Training to raise funds to find a cure. This year, she is participating again in memory of her father plus in honor of Andy Cook, a Mizzou college student that was diagnosed last fall. Please join me in helping Dana raise funds for research by contributing through her Team in Training home page.
2. American Heart Association
Another good friend and former home buyer client, Christy McAllister, is raising money for the American Heart Association. As a respiratory therapist, Christy sees firsthand the devastating effect of heart disease. Join me by supporting Christy for her participation in National Start! Walking Heart Walk Day. The St. Louis walk was held on May 2, but it isn’t too late to make a donation.
3. Rett Syndrome
There are times when you make a donation because someone you know asks you to help them support a cause. Other times, devastating diseases hit closer to home.
Natalie lives across the street from me. Natalie just turned 21 years old and lives with her mother Linda. She suffers from Rett Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects girls and impacts brain functions responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic functions. Natalie doesn’t walk or talk, and is fortunate to have a mother so devoted to her care.
Recent research breakthroughs are offering hope that the disease will be able to be reversed in newly diagnosed girls in the future. Please consider joining me in making a donation to wipe out this debilitating disorder.
4. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
A few years ago, I met a wonderful couple when they decided that they wanted to buy a new home. I got to know them well as we searched for a home that would be convenient for both of their work commutes, would give them a sunny place for her vegetable garden along with a peaceful, private backyard.
I was dismayed when they called to say that my client’s cancer, which had been in remission, had returned. We stopped looking for homes as they battled his disease. About a year later, they contacted me again saying that his cancer was in remission and they were ready to start looking again. Unfortunately, their plans for the future were again put on hold when his cancer returned. His last chance was a bone marrow stem cell transplant. I wish I could say that it worked, but we lost him on March 12, 2009.
Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells. Though only 4% of patients are diagnosed under 45 yrs old, and the average age of diagnosis is 61 yrs old for men, my client lost his battle at only 51 yrs old. Please join me in raising funds to find a cure by making a donation.
5. Ranken Jordan
Ranken Jordan is pediatric specialty hospital in St. Louis County that cares for sick and seriously injured kids regardless of their family’s ability to pay. One of my closest friends, Cathy Samuel, is director of therapy services at Ranken Jordan. Over the last 15+ yrs, I’ve been hearing Cathy share heartwarming success stories of the children that come to the hospital after car accidents, fires and even lightning strikes. I’ve heard stories of toddlers the size of newborns that simply don’t gain weight and teenage burn victims struggling with adolescence along with their scars.
A few years ago Ranken Jordan moved from their original location off of Ladue Road to a state of the art hospital in Maryland Heights. The new facility received well deserved architectural awards as a building designed to encourage the kids to get out of their beds every day, using play and therapy to restore their health.
The majority of families served by Ranken Jordan live in poverty. Insurance simply doesn’t cover the full cost of caring for these kids.
Check out this video that shows you how Ranken Jordan has impacted the lives of patients and families.
Make a donation to Ranken Jordan
During these difficult econonic times, most charities are struggling to raise funds. Please do what you can by supporting one or all of the charities above, or by making a donation to your favorite charity.
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