What's a cause you'd like to raise awareness on?

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[mathewjgano]

Hi folks,
I thought it might be an interesting idea to open a thread for people to raise a little awareness for their favorite causes. It might not do much, I don't know, but I'm of the mind that every little bit helps.
I'll kick it off with my two favorite charities, the Cambodian Children's Fund: (CCF) http://www.cambodianchildrensfund.org/
And PEPY: http://pepyride.org/
My wife and I were fortunate to visit CCF as part of our PEPY experience. There is a growing form of tourism which is dedicated to helping areas in some kind of need. It was of course very bitter sweet. Over the course of a little over a week we visited several sites in and around the capitol city as well as Siem Riep where Ankor Wat is located. In Siem Riep we helped build an agricultural center over the course of 3 days...and when i say we helped, i mean we probably slowed things down, but we moved mounds of dirt, learned how to thatch walls and rooves, and built the scariest scaffolding I've ever seen. To anyone considering a visit to south east Asia I highly recommend looking into PEPY! And for those looking to help a good cause I suggest PEPY or CCF as a good option.

[Rayleen Dehmke]

Nice work!!
A cause that I'd like to bring attention to is the Sarcoma Initiative, in particular Ewing's Sarcoma. Right now I am waiting on information and getting a team together for the the international Sarcoma Awareness Week, July 17-25. Not sure what that will entail yet but I have no doubts about getting a good sized group together and raising $$$$$!!

Happy Birthday! Hope it was a good one :)

[SeiserL]

Ignorance and arrogance

IMHO, behind much of our suffering is our own self-centered ignorance and arrogance.

[mathewjgano]

Ignorance and arrogance

IMHO, behind much of our suffering is our own self-centered ignorance and arrogance.

Oh I already know all about that so I don't have to think about it any more. :p
But seriously folks,
Lynn, what do you think is a good way to address this issue? I agree whole-heartedly with you that so much of our suffering is self-caused...and I believe the only true evil is that of ignorance, of which arrogance is part. Do you think this can be helped on a large scale or is it something which can only come about on the interpersonal level?

A cause that I'd like to bring attention to is the Sarcoma Initiative, in particular Ewing's Sarcoma.
Thank you Rayleen, for the birthday wish and for bringing Sarcoma to my attention. I was reading up on it a bit last night and I can see why it would be an important cause, being that upwards of 20% of child cancer is some form of Sarcoma. My wife and I make it a point to donate something every year, so please feel free to hit us up when you get that fund raising going!
Take care!
Matt

[Keith Larman]

Well, as a guy with hearing problems and who is also involved in dogs and dog training, Dogs for the Deaf (http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org/) is one of my favorite groups. They take dogs from shelters and train them to be assistance dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing. Seeing eye dogs get a lot more donations for whatever reason. But assistance dogs for the deaf can be a god-send for someone struggling to get through the day. And since they get their dogs from shelters they also help out with the problem of unwanted animals.

Other than that, Breast Cancer Awareness (http://www.komen.org) is probably our biggest issue. My wife has been in the world of medical imaging for her entire career and spends a great deal of time doing breast exams. The number of cancers she's found over the years is staggering. Sometimes she comes home with "that look" and I know she found something too late, too advanced on someone way too young.

[SeiserL]

Lynn, what do you think is a good way to address this issue? I agree whole-heartedly with you that so much of our suffering is self-caused...and I believe the only true evil is that of ignorance, of which arrogance is part. Do you think this can be helped on a large scale or is it something which can only come about on the interpersonal level?
IMHO, nothing happens on a large scale if it isn't started on a smaller scale. First individual and then collective. We cannot legislate intelligence.