Find your cause

Every day, millions of people and their families experience the devastating effects of cancer. World Cancer Day falls on February 4th each year and raises awareness surrounding the global fight to cure cancer. The following US-based organizations are doing the critical and important work to find the cure for cancer of all types through research, advocacy, and global collaboration. Your donation to this Fund will help these nonprofits continue their search for a cure while providing support to and hope to those impacted by cancer.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which occurs annually during the month of January, aims to raise awareness surrounding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer. The organizations selected for this Fund are doing the critical work to raise awareness by promoting regular health screenings and providing education to the masses while engaging in advocacy and research efforts with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

Lunar New Year is a multi-week event that is considered one of the most important annual celebrations among East and Southeast Asian cultures and communities, though it is celebrated across the globe. Lunar New Year is typically celebrated with wishes for prosperity and good luck in the new year, while spending time with loved ones and paying homage to past generations through a plethora of traditional foods, activities and events. Lunar New Year is the all-encompassing term to represent the vast number of communities that observe the lunar calendar, and traditions vary across cultures. The Lunar New Year Fund was created to spotlight AAPI-led organizations across the country who provide support and resources to Asian-American communities, celebrate and uplift Asian culture, and fight for Asian representation, justice, and equality.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on the evening of September 26, 2024 as a powerful category 4 hurricane, resulting in life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall and up to 140 MPH winds. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure are facing catastrophic damage and over 1 million homes in Florida faced power outages, with another 2 million experiencing outages across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and southern Virginia. Severe flooding has permeated Florida's northwestern coast, with the storm moving inland and ravaging multiple western North Carolina communities. Asheville, NC became virtually inaccessible due to flooding and storm damage, and the village of Chimney Rock has been destroyed, along with several others. The storm also made a devastating impact across multiple Eastern Tennessee communities, leaving significant damage and destruction in its wake. Communities in Georgia, South Carolina, and southern Virginia are also experiencing impacts due to severe flooding. More than 200 storm-related deaths have been reported, with many others still missing. Relief efforts are underway, and the following nonprofits are providing critical resources in the form of emergency shelter, food, water, medical treatment, and supplies to those impacted. Your donation to this Fund will help support both immediate and long-term recovery efforts. Please note the organizations included in this Fund are subject to change as we learn more about needs on the ground.

Today, millions of children continue to be caught in humanitarian crises that are growing in complexity and scale. In 2023, conflict across the globe affected more than 460 million children. In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and most and are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and violence. UNICEF works to protect and assist children during emergencies, including refugee and migrant children, children caught in conflict and those affected by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. We are present in over 190 countries and territories before, during, and after emergencies, preparing, responding, and re-building with local communities. Examples of UNICEF’s humanitarian response include: State of Palestine: Months of war and surging hostilities has caused devastating physical and mental impacts on children and their families in the State of Palestine, including alarmingly high casualties and displacement. UNICEF and partners are addressing the humanitarian needs of children and their families in a challenging humanitarian and security situation. Since October 21, 2023, at least 820 trucks containing UNICEF supplies have crossed into Gaza and as of May 2024, UNICEF has been able to reach approximately 1.6M children and their families with safe water and hundreds of thousands with medical supplies, nutrition supplements, and protective services. Haiti: Countrywide demonstrations in Haiti this year have led to significant deterioration in security. Before the current crisis, children in Haiti have experienced decades of inadequate basic services and extremely high inequality. These challenges have been compounded by violence, displacement, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks. UNICEF is helping to protect families, provide life-saving support, and is working with the government and partners to help sustain systems and services. In the first two months of the year, UNICEF and partners have reached 119,000 families with water and hygiene supplies, 40,000 women and children with healthcare, and screened 55,000 children for malnutrition. Ukraine: UNICEF has been present in Ukraine since 1997 and expanded humanitarian assistance for children and families after the escalation of the war over two years ago. In 2024, UNICEF has reached over 1.6M children and families with critical supplies and services. Inside Ukraine, UNICEF is ensuring children have access to health care, nutrition, education, safe water, mental health support, and more. In refugee hosting countries, UNICEF works with governments and local partners to strengthen national systems that provide refugee children and marginalized children from host communities with quality education, healthcare, and protection services. Afghanistan: UNICEF has been working to protect and support women and children in Afghanistan for nearly 75 years. In 2023, UNICEF continued scaling up humanitarian services to meet unprecedented needs. Afghanistan remains one of the top five at-risk countries for the effects of climate change and experienced its largest flooding event of the year in May. UNICEF is responding to affected areas with water trucking and essential supplies. From to Yemen to Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo to Syria, UNICEF is relentlessly responding to emergencies in countries around the world. With your support UNICEF can continue this critical work providing children with lifesaving services.

Every day in the life of a child is important — and every day is an opportunity to pursue relentless action that brings the world closer to a future where every child is healthy and happy. With more than 75 years of expertise, across 190 countries, UNICEF works to protect children’s rights, help meet their basic needs, and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Every day, children all over the world trust UNICEF to be there for them. Families trust UNICEF to help ensure their children are nourished, healthy, safe, and educated. Communities trust UNICEF to amplify their voice. Governments trust UNICEF to provide advice and support in shaping policies that affect millions. Partners and donors trust UNICEF to transform funding into effective action for children. UNICEF treasures this trust, and it is this trust that allows UNICEF to deliver lasting change for children. In 2023, among other results, UNICEF and partners reached more than 23 million people with safe drinking water, vaccinated over 27 million children against measles, and provided more than 150 million children with services for the early detection and treatment of child wasting (severe acute malnutrition) in high-risk settings. In 2024, UNICEF is continuing to work around the clock for children and their families across the world. Every dollar adds up to big impact: • $1.25 can provide can provide 50 MUAC bands (tools for the early detection of malnutrition in children 6-59 months) • $5 can provide 20 doses of the polio vaccine, or safe water to one child for 1 year • $13 could purchase 1 pack of 10 exercise books • $16 could provide a family with a small tent to act as a temporary shelter • $50 could purchase 1 emergency first aid kit (or 20 cholera testing kits) On behalf of children and families across the globe, thank you for your support.

The race will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. This Spring, we're proud to support a local organization dedicated to mental health awareness. Your participation will help raise funds and promote a vital cause in our community.

In honor of what would have been my Dad's 67 birthday, I'm raising money for Brain Cancer Research. My dad, Peter Hughes VandenBerg, was diagnosed with brain cancer April 12, 2007 and met this challenge, as he did his entire life, with Faith and Courage, and the support of his family and friends "Team Vandy". As I've become a father myself, I have a new respect for his dedication to family and how hard it must have been to be present with us while battling cancer. My father passed away at 3:33am and my son was born at 3:33am. Life comes full circle. I'm raising money so we get one step closer to finding a cure for brain cancer.