Your Local Animal Shelter

Week 19: Your Local Animal Shelter

This week is dedicated to our furry friends. This week, GIVE52 is reaching our local animal shelters!

I adopted my best bud, Patch, from my local shelter in Los Angeles 4 years ago. He is a one-eyed wonder dog who was set to be killed before they scooped him up and got him the surgery he needed. The rescue who saved his life is called Cagefree K9 Rescue Foundation.

They have successfully placed over 1,000 rescue dogs in loving forever homes. CageFree K9 Rescue foundation is a non-profit dog rescue organization funded entirely by public donations. Most of the dogs who come into their care have major health issues or injuries which are expensive to diagnose and treat. Their main focus is to help dogs who are red-listed in the high-kill Los Angeles city animal shelter system. They fix ‘em up and match them with their human pals.



I am forever grateful that they saved my amazing pup and I am confident a quick search online will net a treasure trove of similar operations where you live. So this week, my challenge is to find and support your local animal shelter or rescue center.
 

Woof.
Have a pawsitively lovely evening.

Love,
Jodi (and Patch!)

First Descents

Week 18: First Decents

Hi GIVE52'ers! This week's organization is an exciting one. First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience. Each adventure is "designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same".

I met Brad Ludden a few years ago and was blown away immediately by him and this organization. They take young adults fighting cancer to do things that most people may never attempt in their lifetime. Participants engage in legitimate outdoor challenges to push their limits and face their fears, and by doing so, they are able to regain the confidence and self-efficacy that can sometimes be lost to cancer.

"First Descents places an emphasis on each individual’s experience and provides the right support for every participant to achieve their goals for the week. The experience is designed to allow healing to happen naturally and organically – no forced conversations and no structured group sessions or therapy."

Programs are available to young adults with cancer regardless of their financial means. All meals, accommodations and program activities are provided free of charge, including travel scholarships, when needed. This week, let's support some incredible adventures.

It is my honor this week to introduce you to this awesome organization.

First Descents has inspired me with their amazing slogan: "Out Living It". I aim to go out and live every juicy moment and I hope you will too.

Here's to adventure. Hope you're out living it!
All the best,
Jodi

Schistomiasis Control Initiative

WEEK 17: Schistomiasis Control Initiative

Welcome back to GIVE52, Let's get right into it with this week's organization, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative. This initiative helps governments in sub-Saharan Africa treat schistosomiasis, one of the most common neglected tropical diseases.

First off, a lot of people ask me these common questions:

What is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD)?
Neglected tropical diseases mainly affect people living in poverty. They are common in areas without adequate sanitation like clean running water or toilets. They are also common in communities that live in close contact with domestic animals and livestock or near areas where insect vectors (like mosquitoes, worms, etc.) thrive.

Why are these diseases called Neglected?
These diseases disproportionately affect the poor and people without a strong political voice. Without political will and funding, these diseases and the people they affect have gotten low priority in public health. Lack of reliable statistics and disease names that are often hard to pronounce have also contributed to the lack of political will and funding. Hence, they are deemed "neglected". I think we need to change this.

SCI's role has primarily been to identify country recipients, provide funding to governments for government-implemented programs, provide advisory support, and conduct monitoring and evaluation on the process and outcomes of the programs. Rated by many as one of the most cost-effective, transparent, and research-based organizations in the world, a donation to SCI will be used wisely and efficiently to get rid of schistosomiasis for good.

In April 2013, SCI announced that the organization had facilitated delivery of its 100 millionth treatment of praziquantel against schistosomiasis. In 2016, they have helped more countries establish national control programs and several smaller pilot projects, and have treated over 60 million people.

SCI continues to grow to meet the need, but with over 230 million people still needing regular treatment there remains a long road ahead to control and then to eliminate schistosomiasis. We can make a dent in this issue.

Let's spread the word and shed more light on the issue of neglected tropical diseases.
Together we can bring attention to this issue and fundraise for treatments and research.

Here's to you!

Have a fantastic week,
Jodi