It’s a “Gift” Wrap:The Non-Profits We Featured in 2013

In this season of giving, we always like to remind our readers of the worthy organizations we’ve featured throughout the year. When you are looking for ways to give back or pay it forward, we hope these will be among the ones you consider.

The Sparkle Caps Project

Founded in October of 2010 by Susan "Victorious" Heimbigner, this 501(c)(3) currently calls Facebook home. February 2014 will mark not only Susan’s 69th birthday, but her fourth year as a survivor. And she’s still making good use of those years. The Sparkle Caps Project’s mission is to empower women in treatment for cancer with support, love, God's word, and personal experiences; to let women know that in spite of their hair loss, they are HOT CHICKS, that their femininity is not tied to their hair; to help women maintain positive attitudes, because that is part of the battle.

The Sparkle Caps Projects’ gift bags include: Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo; The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan; a donated novel (as anyone who has undergone chemo knows, you can never have too many books); a sparkle cap with attached blessing tag; a handmade angel complete with a gift note, as a reminder that many angels are watching over you (ribbon and material specific to the type of cancer); crossword or word find puzzles; an American Cancer Society catalogue; plus supportive and empowering testimonials and stories from other cancer survivors; as well as an envelope called “Heads Up,” containing information for supportive Facebook pages and other resources. Other items are also added from time to time as well.

Twilight Wish Foundation

Twilight Wish was founded by Cass Forkin in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 2003 after a life-changing encounter with several elderly women in a diner the previous year. It was clear to Forkin, as the women were counting out their change, they could barely afford even a simple buffet lunch in a diner, so she anonymously paid their bill.

The women insisted on knowing who treated them and approached Forkin’s table saying “We didn’t know there were still people out there like you. We thought you had forgotten us.”  Their gratitude for her simple gesture inspired Cass to found Twilight Wish Foundation.

Forkin filed the paperwork for TWF to become a nonprofit and a 501(c)(3), on July 1, 2003 making it the first national wish granting organization for the elderly in our country.

The Foundation’s mission is to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations. Their vision is to make the world a nicer place to age, one wish at a time.

Since that first wish, Twilight Wish Foundation has granted over 1,680 wishes and celebrated another 1,000+ seniors in group celebrations. On an average, they grant about one wish a day.

Twilight Wish enhances the quality of life for vulnerable, low-income elderly by granting needed or desired wishes that reduce isolation and inspire and uplift them, promoting improved mental health and overall well-being. By treating the elderly with compassion, they help restore their dignity and bring them hope.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation

About 10-20% of breast cancers test negative for both hormone receptors and HER2 in the lab, which means they are considered triple negative. Since hormones are not supporting its growth, the cancer is unlikely to respond to hormonal therapies. Triple negative breast cancer also is unlikely to respond to medications that target HER2.

Triple negative breast cancer tends to be more aggressive, has a lower five year survival rate, tends to be a higher grade than other types of breast cancer, and tends to present as a basal type cell, which makes them even more aggressive.

The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® was founded in 2006 in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a young woman who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer. Unfortunately, Nancy lost her life to the disease in 2007, but it was in response to her diagnosis, that close friends launched the TNBC Foundation® to raise awareness and support research in the area of triple negative breast cancer.

The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® has partnered with CancerCare to offer free, professional support services to patients, families and health providers coping with a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer.

The TNBC Helpline is staffed by experienced oncology social workers with specific knowledge of triple negative disease. In addition to counseling, TNBC Helpline staff can assist callers in availing themselves of the various other services CancerCare has to offer including, where appropriate, helping patients apply for co-pay assistance, transportation and other social services.

In addition to the helpline, the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® provides information on clinical trials, questions to ask your medical team, a state-of-the-art treatment brochure, survivorship, resources for African-American women, webcasts, and links to other breast cancer organizations.

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) is a nationally recognized affiliate of the Center for Building Hope, whose fundraising efforts contribute to programs offering support to cancer patients and their families.

Their outreach and educational efforts during their "Nationwide Tour of Gowns" bridal shows around the country help ensure that people impacted by cancer have the resources and information they need in their battle with cancer. These events showcase bridal gowns donated by brides throughout the country, as well as dresses donated directly from designers and manufacturers.

Among other things, their website includes personal stories from brides who purchased gowns through the "Nationwide Tour of Gowns" events. These stories recount numerous positive experiences from the brides and their entourages. Beyond the joy of finding their wedding gowns, many of the brides expressed how wonderful it felt to give to such a meaningful organization.

BABC, which was founded 15 years ago, says they will contribute $2 million dollars this year to help those impacted by cancer. Among the numerous free programs supported are children's programs and breast cancer support groups, as well as exercise and nutrition classes.

As is true of most non-profits, donations and volunteers are always greatly appreciated! If you have a dress to donate or time to spare, please be sure to visit their website so you can find an opportunity that works for you.