African Americans have higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure than Caucasians, increasing the risk of organ failure. African Americans make up 13% of the population, 34% of those waiting for a kidney, and 25% of those waiting for a heart. Observed annually, National Minority Donor Awareness Week was created to increase awareness of the need for more organ, eye, and tissue donors, especially among minorities. Now in its 18th year, this special observance honors minorities who have been donors, and encourages others to register as donors and take better care of their health in order to reduce the number needing a transplant.
Previous Projects
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
Black women…are 1 1/2 times as likely as white women to give birth prematurely, and their babies are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday…Now, research shows that the explanation is much more complex, rooted in the years before the women even get pregnant. Black women are more likely to be poor, have less education, lack health insurance and have chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Socioeconomics and medical care don’t fully explain why black women disproportionately lose their babies. Even black women who are highly educated are at higher risk than white women with less education.
All babies, whether they‘re born early or right on time, benefit from advances in prenatal and postpartum care made possible by the March of Dimes. When you walk with your friends, family and coworkers, you are taking part in a fun and healthy day that benefits so many moms and babies in your community. It‘s easy to get caught up in the inspiration of it all and forget that you are fighting birth defects and premature birth. Every step you take brings us closer to the next medical breakthrough at five March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers.
All babies, whether they‘re born early or right on time, benefit from advances in prenatal and postpartum care made possible by the March of Dimes. When you walk with your friends, family and coworkers, you are taking part in a fun and healthy day that benefits so many moms and babies in your community. It‘s easy to get caught up in the inspiration of it all and forget that you are fighting birth defects and premature birth. Every step you take brings us closer to the next medical breakthrough at five March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers.
Since 1988, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers have been cleaning up litter along South Carolina highways. PalmettoPride is excited to bring Adopt-A-Highway into our Pickup program. Adopt-A-Highway fits into our mission of eradicating litter and promoting beautification in our great state. Litter has been reduced by 62% over the past ten years. Unfortunately, though, there are still people who insist on littering. Our state and local governments do not have the resources available to clean up the litter on our roadways. Our wonderful volunteers are invaluable to keeping our state clean. Clean communities are safe communities.
There are numerous barriers that prevent African Americans from seeking health care and wellness promotion: socioeconomic status, masculinity, prejudice, not knowing or understanding the need for a physician, peer influences, and religious beliefs. Additionally, slavery and the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment have made the African American population wary of seeking medical treatment. Finding an effective way to address these barriers is crucial in order to decrease the morbidities and mortality rates from chronic illnesses in the African American population. One way to provide health promotion information to a variety of communities is through a wellness promotion fair. Health fairs allow you to work within a specific community to identify unique needs for health promotion as well as provide basic education and preventive information. Screenings and presentations are great ways to deliver basic health information to a large population—and they can inspire a community to make better health choices. Wanting to improve health is simply not enough. A person needs the education and support to make smarter decisions, and health fairs can provide important information that can ultimately save lives.
The Ronald McDonald House located in Greenville, SC was built in 1989 and is one of 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. The original Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was built in 1974 and all Houses are united toward a common purpose: To provide hope, encouragement and comfort to families struggling with their child’s illness. RMHC of the Carolinas’ mission is to keep families close, within a home filled with hope, encouragement and comfort where parents can focus on their child receiving critical care in our hospital systems. We find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation was created to maximize a volunteer–driven effort. The priorities: spending as little as possible to raise each dollar, and making sure every donation goes to the best research .
More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease—in fact, more than many other childhood diseases combined. The most common types of childhood cancer are leukemia's (blood cell cancers) and cancers of the brain and central nervous system. The causes of childhood cancers are largely unknown, and researchers are trying to learn about possible risk factors. Although African American children are less likely than white children to develop cancer, their 5-year survival rate is poorer, according to the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Surveillance.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 1.3 million American women experience DV/IPV each year. Women make up 85% of the victims of DV/IPV. Despite this, most cases are never reported to the police and most women are victimized by people they know. And for Black women, it's an even bigger problem: Black women are almost three times as likely to experience death as a result of DV/IPV than White women. And while Black women only make up 8% of the population, 22% of homicides that result from DV/IPV happen to Black Women and 29% of all victimized women, making it one of the leading causes of death for Black women ages 15 to 35. Statistically, we experience sexual assault and DV/IPV at disproportionate rates and have the highest rates of intra-racial violence against us than any other group. We are also less likely to report or seek help when we are victimized.
scholarship
African American students borrow money more often to complete their bachelor’s degree at a public college than whites. Around 84% of African American graduates used Pell Grants to finance their education and only 60% of white students did the same. Additionally, nearly one in four black borrowers drops out of college, leaving them both in debt and without a degree. According to a study in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, whites are more likely to receive merit-based scholarships, even after accounting for different enrollment rates between the demographics. These statistics underline the importance of African American scholarships. These awards can help offset the cost of a college education, and leave students less dependent on loans. They also offer African Americans a unique opportunity to pursue financial aid without any strings attached, and without any racial biases favoring another demographic, intentionally or otherwise.
Community
The Special Olympics works to spread compassion and acceptance in a way that can unite the world. The goal is to awaken everyone -- and every community -- to each person’s common humanity. This vision of inclusion starts at the local level. Providing volunteers and support is important in each area for the success of the organization. Students with special needs not only benefit from mentors in the classroom but in all areas of life.
In today’s society, particularly in America, participation in athletics has become a part of our culture and it provides a variety of ways to positively develop our youth. It’s great for youth development because the decision to join a youth sports team is a voluntary choice that children make. This means that they're already engaged and enjoy the activity that they're participating in and they're ready and willing to learn. This is unlike many other leisure activities spent outside of school such as learning to play an instrument, reading, going to the movies, or simply hanging out with friends. Youth sports places the kids in a team environment, which helps them develop the many traits they'll need in everyday life. For example, children are exposed to things like socialization and teamwork and alternatives to the “streets.” They're shown how to work hard, earn trust, and take responsibility among other things. In addition to the character building traits that youth sports provide, it also aids in the physical development of our youth and helps them live a healthier lifestyle by getting them active. With the proper programs, coaching, participation, and support, athletics can be greatly used to develop more complete individuals and happier children.
Meals on Wheels America is an organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity.
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Christmas is that time of the year when the weakened financial condition of the family is felt the most. Many children in our communities will have no Christmas at all. Our lodges donate annually by sponsoring toy drives and contributing to the families in their area. Millions of homes never experience the joys and comfort of the holiday season – their lives are not favored by fortune or circumstance and Christmas is a luxury their family cannot afford. There are hundreds of thousands of toys and bicycles that are sent to the landfill each year, many of them almost new.
The Annual Toy Giveaway is an event that is hosted by various businesses and organizations each year in Greenville, SC. It is only with the charitable donations of the community that we are able to participate and assist with this event. We would like to give a special thanks to all involved and all of our members that work to make this a success for the youth of the area. If you have not attended one of the Toy Giveaways yet, we humbly ask that you bring your family and kids out to have a wonderful time.