Consumer Empowered Sustainability

Site

http://www.charitywater.org

Video Intro

About the Cause

Most of us have never really been thirsty. We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk 5 miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet more than 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have clean water.

It’s hard to imagine what a billion people looks like really, but one in six might be easier. One in six people in our world don’t have access to the most basic of human needs. Something we can’t imagine going 12 hours without.

Here, we’d like to introduce you to a few of those billion people. They are very real, and they need our help. They didn’t choose to be born into a village where the only source of water is a polluted swamp. And we didn’t choose to be born in a country where even the homeless have access to clean water and a toilet.

We invite you to put yourself in their shoes. Follow them on their daily journey. Carry 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans. Dig with their children in sand for water. Line up at a well and wait 8 hours for a turn.

Now, make a decision to help. We’re not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions of people. (source: http://www.charitywater.org/about/mission.htm)

Site

http://www.komen.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

As Susan G. Komen for the Cure, we’ll continue to be the world’s largest, boldest and most progressive grassroots network of survivors and activists, the only organization fighting to cure breast cancer at every stage. To date, we’ve invested $1 billion in research, education and health services. And because so many millions of people are counting on us to fulfill our promise, we will invest an additional $2 billion over the next decade to do just that. (source: http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutUs/index.htm)

Site

http://www.nature.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

The Nature Conservancy — the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

We're proud of what we've accomplished since our founding in 1951:

• We've protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide — and we operate more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
• We have more than 1 million members.
• We work in all 50 states and more than 30 countries — protecting habitats from grasslands to coral reefs, from Australia to Alaska to Zambia.
• We address threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, and marine ecosystems.

It's how we work that has made the Conservancy so successful — and makes us optimistic that we can expand that great conservation work to meet the challenges ahead:

• We use a science-based approach — aided by our more than 700 staff scientists.
• We pursue non-confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation challenges.
• We partner — with indigenous communities, businesses, governments, multilateral institutions, other non-profits…and people such as yourself.

Transparency and Values

The Conservancy also operates openly and transparently. Read our annual report and financial statements as well as our statement of core values to find out more about the way we do business. (source: http://www.nature.org/aboutus/?src=t5)

Site

http://www.surfaidinternational.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

In 1999, physician and surfer Dr. Dave Jenkins went on a surf charter to the Mentawai Islands with one goal in mind: to find perfect waves. The surf proved to be everything he had hoped for. What he also found, though, were the Mentawai people---mostly women and children-–-suffering and dying from the ravages of malaria and other preventable diseases. Troubled by the inequity of lifestyles and moved by compassion, Dr. Jenkins went on to establish SurfAid International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering through community-based health programs. With the support of the New Zealand and Australian governments, the global surfing community, and most importantly the Mentawai people of the affected areas themselves, SurfAid has come to exemplify the healing power of cross-cultural partnerships.

Together with an impassioned, motivated, and talented team of volunteers, staff, and supporters, the SurfAid journey has begun. (source: http://www.surfaidinternational.org/site/pp.asp?c=ekLPK4MOIsG&b=260342)

Site

http://www.wolrdbicyclerelief.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

Simple, sustainable transportation is an essential element in disaster assistance and poverty relief. Bicycles fulfill basic needs by providing access to healthcare, education and economic development. Bicycles empower individuals, their families, and their communities.

Our mission is to provide access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles.

HISTORY

World Bicycle Relief was founded in 2005 by SRAM Corporation and Trek Bicycle in response to the December 2004 tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean. In partnership with World Vision Sri Lanka, this project provided more than 24,000 locally manufactured bicycles to carefully selected men, women and children in greatest need. The $1.5 million Project Tsunami initiative dramatically accelerated their recovery from this brutal disaster, thanks to funding raised through the bicycle industry, foundations and individual contributors.

As part of its commitment, World Bicycle Relief retained an independent organization to measure the impact of Project Tsunami. Two years after the project was complete, the results are outstanding:
* 88% of recipients depend on bicycles for livelihood activities
* Bicycles can save a household up to 30% of its annual income for transportation costs
* The bicycle program provided critical, appropriate transportation enabling households to resume important livelihood, education and service activities

CURRENT PROJECTS

Due to the success of Project Tsunami, World Bicycle Relief partnered with a USAID-funded, World Vision-led coalition of relief organizations to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia. Project Zambia will provide 23,000 bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households. We are also training and equipping more than 400 bicycle mechanics in the field. This $2.9 million program will reach more than 500,000 adults, orphans and vulnerable children.

We have also partnered with established institutions to build and test the microfinancing model utilizing our improved-quality bicycle. The first pilot programs are located in Zambia and Tanzania, with parallel tests in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi. All programs will include independent measurement and evaluation. (source: http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/about_us/index.php)

Site

http://www.soles4souls.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used).

The idea behind gifts of shoes is nothing new to the Soles4Souls team, as they coordinated relief efforts for the Asian Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, netting over 1 Million pairs donated for these disasters. The team originally operated as www.katrinashoes.org with several churches partnering in the collection and distribution of footwear. (source: http://www.soles4souls.org/about/)

Site

http://www.outwardbound.org

Video Intro

About The Cause

Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization with five core programs that change lives, build teams, and transform schools. These programs are Outward Bound Wilderness, Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound, Outward Bound Professional, Outward Bound Urban Centers and Outward Bound Discovery.

We deliver adventure in the wilderness, urban centers, workrooms, and classrooms to help others achieve their possibilities and to inspire them to serve others and the world around them.

Outward Bound depends on donations to ensure our continued ability to provide students with financial need, employ highly-trained teachers and instructors and maintain safe equipment. Our donor’s loyalty and support has helped build Outward Bound to what it is today, and what it is becoming. (source: http://www.outwardbound.org/aboutus.vp.html)

Site

http://www.livestrong.org

About The Cause

At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we inspire and empower people affected by cancer.

We believe that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.

We provide the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms.

We take aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent suffering and death due to cancer.

We unite people to fight cancer and pursue an agenda focused on:

• Prevention
• Access to screening and care
• Improvement of the quality of life for cancer survivors
• Investment in research

At age 25, Lance Armstrong was one of the world's best cyclists. He proved it by winning the World Championships, the Tour Du Pont and multiple Tour de France stages. Lance Armstrong seemed invincible and his future was bright.

Then they told him he had cancer.

Next to the challenge he now faced, bike racing seemed insignificant. The diagnosis was testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. If detected early, its cure rate is a promising 90 percent. Like most young, healthy men, Lance ignored the warning signs, and he never imagined the seriousness of his condition. Going untreated, the cancer had spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs and brain. His chances dimmed.

Then a combination of physical conditioning, a strong support system and competitive spirit took over. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor. He took an active role in educating himself about his disease and the treatment. Armed with knowledge and confidence in medicine, he underwent aggressive treatment and beat the disease.

During his treatment, before his recovery, before he even knew his own fate, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This marked the beginning of Lance's life as an advocate for people living with cancer and a world representative for the cancer community.

Lance Armstrong's victories in the 1999-2005 Tours de France are awe-inspiring, but the battle against cancer has just begun-not just for him, but for all cancer survivors and people just like him who think cancer could not affect them. He plans to lead this fight, and he hopes that you join him. This is a life he owes to cancer. This is his choice to live strong. (source: http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2661053/)