Five Facts About International Asherman's Association and Asherman's Syndrome

The International Asherman's Association is an organization dedicated to bringing awareness of Asherman's Syndrome to others. Their focus is on information and support for those suffering from this condition, which is a cause for infertility that is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

As a side note, I owe this organization so much. Without the support and knowledge I gained, we may never have had a second child. She was definitely worth the wait.

Here are five facts you may now know about the International Asherman's Association and Asherman's Syndrome:

1. Asherman's Syndrome can cause infertility and miscarriages. There are symptoms and Asherman's is treatable. http://www.ashermans.org/information/symptoms-and-causes/
2. Stories of those afflicted with Asherman's Syndrome are shared in multiple languages: English, Serbian, Croatian, Farsi, Japanese, Portuguese, Romanian, Finnish, Indonesian, Arabic, Lithuanian, and Icelandic
3. The mission of the organization addresses preservation of women's fertility, prevention of interuterine adhesions, and support/education for those struggling with infertility and miscarriages.
4. They have a closed group on Facebook where women can ask each other questions, share advice, and photos of post-Asherman babies (success stories). https://www.facebook.com/groups/92888865008/
5. Women in this organization have created a list of A-list doctors across the world, one of which appears in the photograph on this page, being presented an award by a child who would not be here without his care. http://www.ashermans.org/about-us/our-work/

Was this blog informative and/or helpful? Please click to share on your social networks and leave a comment. Read about other charitable organizations here. 

Five Facts About Angels of Hope

Angels of Hope is an Michigan based organization that helps to provide financial assistance to children fighting cancer as well as families of these children. All individuals who help are volunteers. Thank you to Gary Lusk for suggestion this organization for this blog topic.

Here are five things you may not know about Angels of Hope.

1. 165, 97, and 22. These are all relevant numbers to Angels of Hope. In 2014, they helped 165 families. They delivered Christmas to 97 families. And they stood beside 22 families who lost a loved one to cancer. http://www.angelsofhope.org/2014/three-important-numbers-165-97-22/
2. You can watch videos on their website to learn more about families they help. This video really got me at the point where Ava and her sister Sophia are holding hands. http://www.angelsofhope.org/video/
3. You can help with a gift of money or time. http://www.angelsofhope.org/how-to-help/
4. One program offering is complimentary photo sessions for families. http://www.angelsofhope.org/our-programs/
5. Teachers can volunteer to help with tutoring and educational support for children undergoing treatment. http://www.angelsofhope.org/our-programs/

On Social Media:
https://twitter.com/angelsofhope_MI
https://www.facebook.com/AngelsOfHopeMI


Was this blog informative and/or helpful? Please click to share on your social networks and leave a comment. Read about other charitable organizations here. 

Five Facts about Mcrest Macomb

The Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST) is a non-profit organization that provides resources and support to individuals who are homeless or displaced. Thank you to Gary Lusk for suggesting MCREST for this blog topic.

Here are five facts you may not know about MCREST:

1. MCREST provides services (food, shelter, training) for Macomb County's homeless for up to 90 days, for 365 days of the year.
2. The organization began in 1988 with the concept of a day camp organized by the Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Township.
3. There are 90 churches throughout the area who support this program. You can view the directory of churches who participate in this program at http://www.mcrest.org/member-churches/. My church, St. Ronald, participates in this program.
4. Each year, 500 adults and 100 children benefit from the MCREST program.
5. While monetary donations are appreciated, MCREST is also in need of many items including diapers, toddler snacks, and travel size hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc.). Learn more at http://www.mcrest.org/get-involved/.

Was this blog informative and/or helpful? Please click to share on your social networks and leave a comment. And the next time your church hosts MCREST, please consider participating, volunteering your time, or donating needed resources. Read about other charitable organizations here. 

 
 
 

Five Facts about New Day Foundation for Families

The New Day Foundation for Families is a non-profit organization that helps provide financial stability and hope to cancer patients and their families. http://www.foundationforfamilies.org/
Thank you to Josephine Dries who suggested this organization as a blog topic. Here are five facts I learned while visiting their website.

1. This organization provides support to cancer patients of all ages, from child to adult. http://www.foundationforfamilies.org/our-values/ 
2. Their programs and services include: bill payment (utilities, auto, insurance, and even funeral expenses); children's services (daycare, school supplies, activities); and counseling services.
3. The New Day Foundation for Families was created when two families became joined as a result of surviving spouses of cancer patients uniting. Their story was made into the movie, "The Color of Rain." I got chills reading this. https://www.foundationforfamilies.org/who-we-are/color-of-rain/
4. There are many ways to volunteer to help this wonderful organization. These include making blankets, stuffing envelopes, making cash donations, or hosting events.
5. If you shop at Kroger, you can link your loyalty card to the New Day Foundation for Families which receives a donation every time you shop - at no cost to you. Learn more at https://www.foundationforfamilies.org/donate-now/donate-while-you-shop/.

https://www.foundationforfamilies.org/who-we-are/color-of-rain/the-color-of-rain/

Was this blog informative and/or helpful? Please click to share on your social networks and leave a comment. And if you are fighting cancer or supporting a family member who is, please check out the New Day Foundation for Families.
Read about other charitable organizations here. 

Five Facts About the Dearborn Animal Shelter

The Dearborn Animal Shelter is a non profit organization in Dearborn, Michigan. Here are five interesting facts about this wonderful organization.

 

A rendering of the new shelter

1. In 2014, this shelter handled 2,725 total animals. This included 1,470 cats and 1,054 dogs. If you're doing the math, you'll see this doesn't add up. That's because they have also handled 201 other species.
2. There are 12 full-time employees and 18 part-time employees. In addition, over 113 active volunteers help this organization. Volunteers can help with daily operations, cleaning, and of course caring for the animals. All volunteers are required to participate in orientation.
3. They are in the process of building a new shelter. Their recent "Raise the Woof" fundraiser raised $247,000, just shy of their $250,000 goal. Can we all just pause (or should I say "PAWS" for a moment to reflect on how adorable that "Raise the Woof" name is, on multiple levels?)
4. The shelter organizes doggie playdates, appropriately named "paw-ties." Learn more at https://www.dearbornanimals.org/what-we-do/pooch-paw-ties-and-play-dates/.
5. Their current need is advertised at the top of their website, which is Pedigree dog food.

Thank you to Anne Garbus for recommending the Dearborn Animal Shelter for this blog topic. When we're ready to adopt a dog, I'm definitely going to look to this shelter.

Read about other charitable and nonprofit organizations in this blog: http://mellermarketing.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-big-4-0.html

Five Facts about The John Paul II Medical Research Institute

The John Paul II Medical Research Institute (aka JP2MRI) supports medical research while respecting the dignity of human life. Their focus is on supporting research that is ethical and cost-effective. Here are five facts about this important organization:

http://www.jp2mri.org/#!jp2mri-video-gallery/cm0b

1. JP2MRI differentiates itself by committing to not support embryonic stem cell research. In addition, they commit more than half of their budget to medical research. 
2. Visit their video library to learn more about the JP2MRI.
3. Physicians who wish to sign up to help support research can do so at this link: http://www.jp2mri.org/#!patient-registry/c1kr5. Some of this focus includes Rare Disease Research (Flyer: http://media.wix.com/ugd/d8f730_0b148921f308455ea9790cb2651275ff.pdf) as well as Cancer Stem Cell Research (Flyer: http://media.wix.com/ugd/d8f730_60200f4998c24ab3a15ea18366c65daa.pdf)
4. Information about the ethics of medical research including the Nuremberg Code can be found at http://www.jp2mri.org/#!nuremberg-code/cz3o.
5. One of the ways that "You Can Help" this institute is by sharing their website and information on social media. Click to share this post and you've done just that.

Thanks to John for the suggestion to add this organization to my big 4-0 blog list.

Read about other charitable and nonprofit organizations in this blog: http://mellermarketing.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-big-4-0.html

Five Things About Mary's Mantle

Mary's Mantle is a Catholic community supporting expectant mothers. Here are five things you may not know about Mary's Mantle. http://marysmantle.net/

1. Mary's Mantle was created to support young pregnant women (aged 18+) who feel they have no options. The site shares the story of one such woman who ended her pregnancy because she felt she had no other choice. http://marysmantle.net/about/
2. They house up to four expectant mothers.  
3. Their waiting list averages from five to 15 women. In 2012, they received 200 calls for expectant women needing a home.
4. The site has a blog where they share video testimonials. http://marysmantle.net/news/ This gave me chills to see the silhouettes with the stories written on them. One was of a 20-year-old woman who chose adoption for her child.
5. In addition to donations, volunteers are always needed and include prayer groups, charitable (fundraising) groups, babycare classes, new mom classes, and more. Pat Parker is the volunteer coordinator. 

Thanks to Caleb for the suggestion to add this organization to my blog list. 

Read about other charitable and nonprofit organizations in this blog: http://mellermarketing.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-big-4-0.html