Katie has asked us to link up this week to share the causes we support with the rest of the internet. I am not good with the number ten, apparently, as it seems I can never quite get there. However, I’ve got several causes that are near and dear to my heart, so I’m happy to share today.
1 & 2. St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and The Make-a-Wish Foundation
When I was in high school, there was this girl in my freshman English class who was wearing a hat. I was confused as to why this student was wearing a hat when there were no hats allowed in school. I soon learned that this student had leukemia, and that she’d been diagnosed just months before high school started.
Heidi soon became one of my best friends.
While we were in school, Heidi received treatment at St. Jude’s. She is a leukemia survivor thanks to the donations made to that hospital.
Heidi was also granted a wish through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Had it not been for Heidi, I wouldn’t have known about this organization. I believe in their mission to grant wishes for children who are going through things that no children should ever have to experience.
3. The March of Dimes
Last October, my friend Alesa shared the story of her son, Miller, who was born prematurely. Miller survived 100 days of life in the NICU, time and again defying odds and prognoses from doctors, before passing away. His life is his legacy and he has touched thousands in the 100 days he spent here on Earth.
Recently, Jenny of What the Blog? brought home her triplets, Toby, Eleanor, and Callista, who were born at 28 weeks, 1 day.
My friend Carly recently gave birth to a daughter–Elise–her second. Elise was born at 31 weeks.
Our friends Clay and Alison’s daughter, Katelyn, also born at 31 weeks, just turned 2 and we celebrated with them this past weekend.
For these reasons, and for so many more, I support the March of Dimes and you can, too.
4. Girl Scouts.
Samoas. Thin Mints. Tagalongs. Need I say more?
5. Prom dress donations.
I have several formal dresses in my closet from my college days. There’s an organization our school works with that takes prom dresses, dry cleans them, and then “sells” them to girls who would not otherwise be able to afford dresses. This group also has teams of hair stylists and makeup artists who agree to work for free or reduced rates so that these girls can have their ultimate prom.
I can’t find the link to the website right now (I’m blaming exhaustion), but if you’re local to my area and you want to help, email me and I’ll get you the information. If you’re interested in looking into something like this for your area, there are dozens of organizations out there who do this sort of thing and I’m certain you can find one. I’ll even help if you need me to!
6. Postpartum Progress and My Postpartum Voice.
While my support for these causes may not be financial, I can’t NOT list them here, because I support these women with my whole heart.
Katherine’s work and diligence with Postpartum Progress has helped countless women find help and hope.
Lauren’s kindness and dedication with My Postpartum Voice is one of the reasons why I call myself a Survivor Mama (or a mostly surviving mama) today.
I’ve got one more cause coming, but it’s so important I want to share it in its own post.
What causes do you support? Write up a post of your Top 10 causes and be sure to link up with Katie at Sluiter Nation!