NPR Credits SharingHope.tv for “Putting a Face” on Fundraising
Technology expert Omar Gallaga counts SharingHope.tv as one of three charitable organizations best using technology to promote their cause. The great thing about SharingHope.tv, Omar says, is that instead of seeing a huge DONATE button, you see the faces of real people telling their stories. Listen to the broadcast at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98600476 .
For more information on technology and giving, read the related post at NPR’s All Tech Considered Blog.
Schools Take Top Prizes in Sharinghope.tv Anti-Smoking Video Contest
Kids still know that smoking isn’t cool, judging by the three winning videos of our SharingHope.tv/Great American Smokeout Video Contest.
The first two videos below were submitted by Jennifer Barnette, a parent volunteer at Morgen Academy in Austin Texas. The girls, Casey and Maddie, are both 5th graders.
The third video was submitted by third grade teacher Janet Couvillion from Forest Trail Elementary, EanesISD, Texas.
Congratulations to our winners! Each school will be awarded a Flip video camera so the kids can continue to help make the world a better place by spreading positive messages online. We hope to see more of them on SharingHope.tv!
United Way Capital Area Austin Shares Hope by Sharing Blogspace
We just want to give a shout out to United Way Capital Area Austin for publicizing our Great American Smoke Out/ SharingHope.tv contest on their blog. In the spirit of sharing, we’ll gladly reciprocate. If you live in Austin and are looking for volunteer opportunities, the United Way is a great place to start. Go to Hands On Central Texas to see where volunteers are needed.
Did you know that the branch of ACS responsible for launching SharingHope.tv is also located in Austin? I feel blessed to live in a city with so many folks who share United Way’s spirit of bringing people together to advance the common good.
Sharing Hope Instead of Slinging Mud
There's Hope.
Most of us are pretty sick of mudslinging by now, so I was grateful to find some political party warmth in the form of a post by conservative columnist and three-time cancer survivor Robert D. Novak about his current battle with brain cancer. (read the full text of his column by clicking here.)
Novak wants people to know about “the reaction to my disease, mostly compassionate, that belies Washington’s reputation.”
Just a few months ago, doctors operated on senator Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor. Through a series of connections, Novak ended up in contact with one of his political rivals and found that
Novak found equal compassion from President Bush, who had also been the subject of criticism in some of Novak’s columns. He writes.
I wish cancer didn’t have to be the catalyst, but it heartens me to know compassion crosses party lines. I needed that.
Breast Cancer Awareness and the Pink Controversy
It’s breast cancer awareness month, and I’m sharing, not selling, which is likely to keep me out of trouble with some cancer bloggers I know. I’ll get to the pink ribbon controversy in a moment. First, SharingHope.tv member ACS jerry uploaded the video below about the importance of mammogram. Since early detection is one of the best weapons we have against breast cancer, I urge you to watch and pass along the information.
Now, for the controversy. An organization called Breast Cancer Action has a website called Think Before You Pink. It urges people to think critically about buying products just because they say they support breast cancer research. BCA has this definition on their site:
I don’t have the scientific background to support or reject the BCA claim that an ingredient in yogurt is linked with breast cancer, but whenever I see a product sporting a pink ribbon, I have wondered how much money actually goes directly to breast cancer research. Is it pennies on a dollar? How much good am I actually doing? Is this company using my heartstrings as a marketing strategy? Would having the answers to these questions make me pass on pink and donate directly to breast cancer research? Or, are pink ribbon promotions really effective ways to promote awareness and encourage corporate do-gooding?
Maybe I can do a little research on my blackberry while in the waiting room for my upcoming mammogram.
Wedding Day Smoke Out
Fall is my favorite time for weddings. Don’t know what time of year Jennae married her husband, but on that day he committed to quit smoking, and she committed to supporting him. Thanks, Jannae for sharing hope. May you have a long, happy, healthy and smoke-free life together!
The Fight Back Express Shares Hope
While Congress and Presidential wanna-be’s debate Mortgage industry and Wall Street bail-outs, the American Cancer Society presses on to lobby for federal funding for cancer research. The Fight Back Express is touring the country to facilitate discussions between cancer patients, their families, and legislators with the goal of making cancer a national priority. Watch the video for more information and click here for upcoming tour locations and dates.
And, since SharingHope.tv originated in Texas, we were excited to see a bejeweled (former?) Miss Texas sharing hope at a recent Fight Back Express stop. Thanks to member Kym for posting the photo!
Miss Texas Shares Hope
Videos – The Great American Smokeout Contest
I’ve been talking about the Great American Smoke Out (GASO) and our video contest ending Nov. 20, but Lindsey says it even better with her video.
