Giving Back to Others and Charity is Important to the Jurewitz Law Group. Helping to Fight Cancer is a Key Part of that Effort. Find Out What You Can Do to Help.
When the economy goes south and people all over the country need help the most, charities suffer and are often unable to fund vital programs that provide help to those in need. It’s times like these that those of us that are able to must do what we can to help charities raise funds or carry out their important programs by either donating funds, participating in fundraising activities, or volunteering at events.
Many people don’t give because they are not familiar with the various charitable organizations, and don’t have time to do the research to find out what the various organizations do and whether they are reputable. But never fear, we’ve done the research for you! Below is a list of some cancer related charities/foundations that do good work with respect to helping people with cancer and promoting research to find a cure.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – www.stjude.org
Founded in 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. With treatment and research facilities under one roof, St. Jude’s researchers, acclaimed doctors and researchers make revolutionary discoveries every day. Research is focused specifically on finding cures for cancers, some acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and genetic disorders.
St. Jude’s is a special place where patients from all over the country are accepted for treatment without regard to the family’s ability to pay – no child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. About 5,400 active patients are seen at St. Jude yearly, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis as part of ongoing research programs.
St. Jude has partnered with two San Diego hospital institutions in order to define the forefront of clinical care and research: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego; and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). These unique alliances will enable St. Jude, Rady Children’s and UCSD to combine their resources and expertise to pursue clinical trials and basic and translational research.
How to give: Give a direct donation or become a Partner in Hope by choosing to give a specific amount each month to help provide the necessary financial resources to pay for the chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries for St. Jude’s patients.
WeSpark Cancer Support Center – www.wespark.org
Founded by actress Wendie Jo Sperber – whom you might remember from the television show “Bosom Buddies” or the movies “Back to the Future” and “Bachelor Party” – in 2001 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the WeSpark Cancer Support Centers located in Sherman Oaks and Santa Clarita are “home-like” environments dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. WeSpark provides a variety of programs and for social exchange to all people with cancer, regardless of income, race, religious affiliation, age or where they go for treatment. The WeSpark Cancer Support Centers provide a place for people battling cancer and their families to join with others to share their experience, strength and hope, free of charge.
How to give: Participate in (or volunteer at) WeSpark’s annual fundraising events which include the WeSparkle gala in Los Angeles, an annual golf tournament, and an annual 5k in Balboa Park, San Diego.
Lance Armstrong Foundation – www.livestrong.org
The Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, is an international cancer-fighting juggernaut uniting people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Based in Austin, Texas, the LAF has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has created a network of cancer survivors and people living with cancer to provide support, advice, and resources, including survivor notebooks and an extensive online community, to help people live full and complete lives following a cancer diagnosis. Funds raised by the LAF fundraising events support its grants and programs, such as free brochures regarding cancer treatment and the LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Program (offering one on one support), to address the unmet needs of cancer survivors and improve their quality of life.
How to give: Show your support for the fight against cancer by joining the 60 million LIVESTRONG wristband wearers. (Ross wears his to support his mother-in-law Meredith Ippolito in her fight against ovarian cancer.) Participate in a LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE (walkers, runners and bikers are all included) - www.livestrongchallenge.org. Unite to make cancer a national priority by joining the LIVESTRONG ARMY.
Participate in a run, ride or triathlon with the LIVESTRONG team. Contribute to the LAF through its grassroots fundraising program by organizing a fundraising event, participating in established events, such as marathons or triathlons, or support a participant (LAF’s website permits you to search for participants and donate with just a few clicks of the mouse). Make a direct donation or purchase LIVESTRONG athletic gear.
The Jurewitz Law Group has chosen to donate to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition because Ross’s mother-in-law, Meredith Ippolito, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November of 2008. Following surgery, she underwent extensive weekly chemotherapy treatment at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for six months followed by once per month chemotherapy since June 2009. She is currently cancer free, and will complete her chemotherapy treatment in June 2010. The Jurewitz Law Group also supports the Lance Armstrong Foundation because Meredith lives in Austin, Texas, and has been a direct beneficiary of programs created by the LAF.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – www.ovarian.org
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, founded in 1995, is committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer in communities across the country and to providing education, support and hope for women with ovarian cancer and their families. NOCC focuses its efforts on establishing chapters throughout the United States to promote education about ovarian cancer, provide peer to peer emotional support, and conduct advocacy and awareness programs.
The NOCC uses funds raised to publish and distribute informational literature about the disease, its symptoms, treatment and care issues; ongoing education of physician and health care professionals; and an aggressive awareness campaign. Ovarian cancer is extremely hard to detect, and is known as “the disease that whispers” – thus, the NOCC stresses awareness and education regarding the symptoms of this killer disease and improved screening methods.
How to Give: The NOCC welcomes financial donations starting at $25.00 as well as donations of in-kind services and volunteer hours. Make a tribute gift to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, to honor a friend, express sympathy for a loss or commemorate a happy occasion. Host a fundraiser in your community – survivors and their families have chosen to raise awareness and donations for NOCC through walks, runs and biking events; yard sales; neighborhood teas; formal and informal social events; and tennis, golf and baseball tournaments.
We hope you will consider a contribution to one of these worthwhile organizations to help further the fight against cancer and help find a cure.
The Jurewitz Law Group is a San Diego personal injury law firm representing people injured in car accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and fall injuries, dog bite attacks, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. Their personal injury office is located in Downtown San Diego, has offices in Carlsbad, California, and serves all of San Diego County including the following cities and towns:
San Diego, Chula Vista, Escondido, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Poway, Encinitas, La Mesa, Santee, National City, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Coronado.
