Celebrities for a Cause: Celebs Unite for The Cancer Talk Campaign

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Celebrities Terrell Owens, Sophia Bush, and Adrian Grenier are among the many taking an active role in LetsFCancer’s campaign, The Cancer Talk.   LetsFCancer is an organization dedicated to making a bold impact with the mantra, “F*** Cancer.”

           

LetsFCancer aims to shift power from the disease to the patient.  Rather than feeling overwhelmed by cancer’s presence, patients instead adopt the ideology that they’re the ones to be feared; for they hold the power and the strength to overcome anything.

           

The Cancer Talk campaign takes this attitude one step further and puts power in the hands of kids.  That’s right, kids from Generation Y.  These 17-35 year olds are the ones who can make the difference by encouraging their parents to get tested and seek early detection.  After all, according to The Cancer Talk website, 90% of cancers are curable if caught in stage one.

           

So, all you so-called kiddos out there join with the masses and talk to your parents.  As a part of Generation Y myself, I think it’s a great idea.  Just as they discussed the birds and the bees with us, it’s our responsibility to discuss early detection with them.  Our voices and our opinions hold more weight than we think; let’s help LetsFCancer alter the power imbalance and talk to our parents today.

           

For discussion ideas, please visit http://cancertalk.letsfcancer.com/.

           

To learn more about LetsFCancer, check out http://www.letsfcancer.com/.

Celebrity for a Cause: Kristen Stewart Donates to Help Stop Sex Trafficking

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

Kristen Stewart is famous her role as Bella Swan in the mega-hit movie series Twilight. Stewart recently showed her charitable side as she donated an autographed pair of shoes to the non-profit organization, Shoe Revolt. Her recent role as a teenage prostitute in an independent movie allowed her to realize the severity of underage prostitution and sex trafficking.

Shoe Revolt’s mission is to stop sex trafficking and find a home for those who have suffered. With celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Zoe Bell working to stop the violence, Americans are finally gaining awareness of the thousands of people it affects. According to Shoe Revolt, nearly 50,000 women and children each year are victims of sex trafficking.

Anyone can help support the cause by donating a pair of new or gently used shoes. These shoes allow the organization to build shelters and help the victims. To donate and learn more about Shoe Revolt and its shelters visit www.shoerevolt.com. 

Organization for a Cause: Kidz b Kidz Inspires Children and Offers Hope

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

Learning to empathize is tough.  Learning to have a positive outlook on a not-so-positive situation is even tougher.  But when it comes to empathizing and having a positive outlook, all while being a child, that takes the cake on the toughness scale.

At Kid b Kidz, though, children are taught how to empathize and stay positive through artwork.  The non-profit organization aims to educate children on the importance of helping others by encouraging them to use art and bright spirits to give back to others.  And these kids do exactly that; they create beautiful masterpieces that are sold to fund medical research and help save sick children’s lives.

At various art parties, kids are asked to create something to benefit sick children.  Kidz b Kidz shows each child how they can easily make an impact and hopes to plant the seed of philanthropy into each young person’s life.  Kidz b Kidz believes teaching children to give will ultimately make for a better world, one full of people reaching out to others.

The Kidz b Kidz artwork adorns cups, tray covers, trash bins, and more at various hospitals around the country.  Children’s Hospital Boston was the first to welcome the uplifting artwork, and it has been a success ever since. 

Though the artwork may not instantly cure, it certainly provides an atmosphere where empathy and positivity can live in harmony.  After all, there is nothing better than a supportive environment and a positive frame of mind to overcome any sickness.  Just ask those cheerful young souls at Kidz b Kidz if you don’t believe me.

To learn more about Kidz be Kidz, please visit http://www.kidzbkidz.org/.

Athlete for a Cause: NFL Player Helps Community

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

 This June NFL player Jason David hosted his 6^th Annual Football Skills Camp at his former high school in Covina, California. The camp gave 250 young boys the opportunity to learn football skills and the importance of hard work from three NFL players for free. David wants to show youth that if you work hard and stay optimistic it will eventually pay off.

 In 2007 Jason David started his Corner Foundation in honor of his beloved cousin who passed away from kidney disease. According to David’s website, the goals of his Corner Foundation are “motivating youth to stay positive, encouraging youth to see the importance in education and being a role model” to inspire youth to set goals.

 The foundation raises money for the research and awareness of kidney disease. In addition to the Football Skills Camp, David hosts an annual golf tournament and cocktail party as part of his Celebrity Charity Weekend each year.

 To learn more about the Jason David Corner Foundation or to donate, visit www.jasondavidscorner.org.

Celebrity for a Cause: Betty Ford’s Legacy Lives On

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

She was known as a former first lady, an outspoken voice, and a champion for the causes she believed in.  To put it quite simply, Betty Ford was a rare and special breed.

As we all know, the former first lady to Gerald Ford passed away on July 8, 2011.  She’s said to have touched more lives than any president could ever dream of, and she’ll never be forgotten.

Most notably, though, her legacy will never be forgotten, either.  After battling breast cancer and alcoholism, Ford quickly became known for the candid way she exposed her problems and then overcame them.  She didn’t let her time in the White House go to waste and made sure to make her opinion known on the contested issues of the time.

Furthering her persistent attitude and warm spirit, she opened the Betty Ford Center in 1982, the world’s first licensed addiction hospital.  Ford’s goal was to erase the stigma attached to addiction problems, and she did so with a bang. 

Now the center offers the highest quality addiction services to over 97,000 men, women, and their families, according to the center’s website.  How’s that for bringing a societal ill to the spotlight and then encouraging others to seek help?

As I mentioned before, Betty Ford was one of a kind.  The strength she exuded and the confidence she boasted made her an incredible role model.  She was a first lady, yes.  But she never stood behind the scenes, and because of that, she left a significant mark on this world. 

I can only dream of one day becoming half of the woman she was; rest in peace, sweet lady.  You were loved dearly and will be missed greatly.

Musician Gives Back: Jack Johnson Fights for the Environment

Written by Marketing Intern Caroline Howell

 Singer Jack Johnson grew up on the shores of Oahu, Hawaii. Since 2000 he has released six albums with great success internationally. Johnson is using his fame to show the world what he believes is important in life - charity. 

 In 2008, Jack Johnson and his wife donated all of profits from his tour to establish The Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. The Foundation helps to help support the environment, music education and art across the globe. According to Johnson’s website, “As part of the 2010 world tour, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation will offer direct and matching donations to All At Once partner non-profits. Jack Johnson will once again donate 100% of his 2010 tour profits to charity.”

 In addition to the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, Jack is demonstrating to his followers the benefits of “greening”. At each of his concerts water stations are set up so that fans are able to reuse their plastic water bottles instead of wasting them. Throughout his current tour, Jack has been working with hundreds of non-profit groups to help support the environment.

National Geographic recently named Jack Johnson the Arts Ambassador for the Environment.  

The musician has donated $25 million to charity through his tours and charitable events.

 To learn more about Jack Johnson’s efforts visit www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/greening.

Company With a Cause: Freebirds Aims to Change the World

Written by Marketing Intern Katy Rowan

I walked into my college town’s Freebirds yesterday and couldn’t help but feel pure joy.  Joy for the food I was about to consume (some yummy queso & chips with good friends), but also joy for the knowledge that I was dining at place where the bottom-line isn’t the main concern.

For those of you who’ve unfortunately never tasted Freebirds’ food or who’ve never heard of Freebirds period, I’m telling you now the company is a force to be reckoned with.  The burrito giant was founded back in 1987 in Santa Barbara, California and it has seen success ever since.  After coming to the best place on earth (also known as Aggieland, where I attend school), Freebirds has continued to expand around the country all the while satisfying the mission of filling people’s bellies with food and souls with inspiration.

And yesterday was no exception.  I sat there among my friends’ idle chatter, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of positivity and empowerment as I glanced around the place.  Everywhere you turn, there are uplifting sayings and unique foil designs silently encouraging you to impact the world in some way.  It was this feeling that prompted me to come home and research the company.

Sure enough, I found what I felt is exactly what they aim for; they hope to show everyone just how easy it is to lend a hand.  Through their World Works program, they promote various opportunities in an effort to get both staff and guests out to change the world.  They’re true purveyors of the belief that leading by example is the way to go.  By treating their guests with the kindness I was shown yesterday, they not only fulfill their mission, but they live and breathe it themselves, too.

So, if you’ve not been to a Freebirds before, get out and find one today! Not only will you savor the delicious food, you’ll leave knowing you have the power to change the world.  Now that’s my kind of restaurant.