First Responder Center for Excellence’s Post

We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way, and we must change that. Join your CREW friends, family, and co-workers to support Theo- Our Heartbreak Hero! Theo's journey began during his 20-week scan, where he was given a tough diagnosis—Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) a rare congenital heart defect where the left ventricle is severely underdeveloped. Although congenital heart defects affect 1 in 100 babies, only 1 in every 3,841 babies receives a diagnosis of HLHS. Come walk or donate to help the American Heart Association, whose support fuels research, innovation, and a collective hope for families like ours. Your contributions not only help extend the lives of these courageous children but also provide a beacon of hope for their futures. https://lnkd.in/e8hWaAaq

FEEDBACK! It's a challenge - at least for me - that when I give a virtual talk, I don't always get much feedback about how it "landed." My CTA is to ask for an application of the learning with 1 of 2 actions (primarily on LinkedIn) in the next 24 hours. And I did that last evening when I finished the talk for the Public Health Career Club at PH SPOT on "Not Networking - Engaging Instead." You can imagine my surprise - and ELATION - when I finished a quick bite of a late supper less than 2 hours later to find a message from Linda Setiawan with this wonderful feedback: "I appreciate your advice to approach networking with a mindset of "engaging" in a way that adds to the conversation." AND - she had already written a post!! And she is now working on her banner and her "About" section to increase her visibility. #PomPomsToYou, Linda, for moving forward with the actions so quickly - and for moving your intentions into RESULTS!

At the recently concluded 2024 World Sickle Cell Day community outreach and health fair, Mrs. Moji Michael, a mother of two children with Sickle Cell Disease, shared her experience raising warriors. Mrs. Michael stressed that knowing your genotype is important for breaking the cycle of pain. In her own words, she said, "'Let's break the cycle of pain; it should stop with this generation. Know your genotype!'" Our goal is to raise 30,000,000 NGN to provide essential nutrients for 2,000 children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). To contribute in dollars, kindly click this link: https://lnkd.in/di4F8mff For Naira donations: Account Name: Brain and Body Foundation Account Number: 0178810529 Bank: GTBank For more information about our work, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dpQpsgC Watch more interviews: https://lnkd.in/dqNwkpf9

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) hosted its first MG walk in Boston since the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a pleasure to volunteer, organize, and be part of it and meet the amazing people in this community. This walk was a great opportunity to connect with MG patients, caregivers, and advocates. For those who don’t know, Myasthenia Gravis is a rare autoimmune disease where autoantibodies attack different receptors in the skeletal neuromuscular junction. In short, Myasthenia Gravis patients experience rapid fatigue of muscles that affects their everyday lives. We also surpassed our $15,000 fundraising goal. These fundraisers are critical for advancing research and treatments for Myasthenia Gravis. As Kevin O’Connor, a Yale principal investigator focused on Myasthenia Gravis and rare disease research, said: “The work that MGFA does is important not only for patients but also for researchers, as it provides us with the funds needed to understand the disease and better target it for treatment.” #AWorldWithoutMG #MGStrong #Research #PatientAdvocacy 

Celebrating World Blood Donor Day: The Lifeline of Humanity 🩸 Today, on June 14th, we honor World Blood Donor Day, recognizing the invaluable contributions of blood donors worldwide. This year's theme, "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often," highlights the critical role of regular donations in saving lives and improving health outcomes. Every few seconds, someone in the world needs a blood transfusion for various reasons, from surgery to cancer treatment. The demand for blood is constant and urgent, underscoring the importance of donors as the true gift of life. Despite medical advancements, global blood shortages persist, especially in low and middle-income nations. On this day, we celebrate the heroes donating blood and plasma, making a profound impact and saving lives. To our existing donors, we express deep gratitude. Your selflessness and commitment are the backbone of health systems worldwide. For potential donors, consider taking that step to help build a sustainable blood supply that meets all communities' needs. Let's raise awareness and encourage blood donation in our networks. Together, we can ensure the gift of life is always available to those in need. Happy World Blood Donor Day! 🌍❤️

The #1 threat to your personnel… Cancer. It’s not going away on its own no matter how much we hope and wish it will. And… There’s no silver bullet. And… Air filtration and on-scene gross decon are mostly passive and easy-to-implement tactics to reduce risks and exposure. So… What’s your next move? Understand where your opportunities are https://lnkd.in/g6y8JiUr

It's not rare to have a rare disease. 🌟 Each year, 1 in 12 babies is born with a rare disease, yet 50 per cent remain undiagnosed. Thanks to philanthropic support, an innovative research program at The Royal Children's Hospital called Rare Diseases Now, or RDNow, is changing that. Dr Michelle de Silva, Program Manager of RDNow, is leading the groundbreaking work that brings hope to kids with undiagnosed genetic conditions. Learn how RDNow is making a difference for families and how you can help expand this vital program: https://lnkd.in/grwWg56J

Dear LinkedIn Network, In less than a month, on April 7th, I will be running in the Paris Marathon. Last year, in the first week of April, the challenging economic climate compelled my business partner and I to close our company. This decision came as cornerstone investors were hit hard by the collapse of well-known institutions, and the ensuing liquidity crunch made it impossible to continue growing our business, despite our successes, dedication, and investments. Despite the passion and growth I experienced on this entrepreneurial journey, recovering from its closure has been an incredibly difficult challenge. It was a period that tested my resilience and spirit. During this time, sports became my sanctuary. Running nearly every day, engaging in workouts, and setting new goals helped me navigate through a period of depression. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to support a cause through my participation in the Paris Marathon 2024, choosing CAMI Sport & Cancer was a natural decision, especially after losing a cherished friend to cancer a few years ago. 🎗 Why CAMI Sport & Cancer? CAMI Sport & Cancer is an exceptional non-profit organization dedicated to integrating physical activity into cancer treatment. Their work focuses on enhancing recovery and improving the quality of life for patients. Promoting physical activity as an integral part of oncology care. We know that physical and mental health requires physical activity, it improves the quality of life of patients, limits the adverse effects of treatments and reduces their chances of recurrence. This cause obviously holds a special place in my heart. 🤝 Join Me in This Journey Help me raise funds for this association, for these patients, by making a donation! Your support can transform every kilometer I run into a beacon of hope for those fighting cancer. Every donation, no matter the size, strengthens CAMI's mission and inspires my journey toward a future where sport and healing are intertwined. 👉 Be a Part of the Change To contribute, please visit my fundraising page. Together, we can create a meaningful impact! https://lnkd.in/e3TxkkKF 🙏 Thank You Your belief in this cause and your support mean everything to me. This is my second and last message asking for a donation, next message will hopefully be about me reaching my objective (fingers crossed)! With gratitude, Marc

Cara is who motivates us to empower youth, encourage volunteerism & kindness towards others, support families whose children struggle with cancer & root for the underdog. In the end, that’s what we’re all about. To learn more about Cara—our inspiration & namesake—go here: https://lnkd.in/ehPz7tx

In the past, cancer was a taboo topic within the black community, often left unspoken and individuals battled it alone, hidden from friends and loved ones. The pain of discovering their struggles only at funerals was heartbreaking. I recall a time when we lost five women to cancer in our community, their diagnoses hidden, and their isolation profound. The Oladele Foundation has transformed this narrative, eradicating secrecy and fostering a supportive environment. Their unparalleled care has instilled hope and resilience, uniting cancer patients and survivors, addressing their needs, and fostering a community of love and support. Attending gatherings hosted by the Oladele Foundation, I've witnessed the profound impact firsthand. Survivors share their stories, revealing tales of survival and triumph. One such story moved me deeply – a young lady, once silent about her battle, now a survivor thanks to the Foundation's unwavering support. However, learning about the Foundation's funding struggles was disheartening. The thought of their vital services being compromised saddened me. Their work is indispensable, bringing solace and strength to countless families. I urge corporations, organizations, and governments to rally behind the Oladele Foundation, ensuring its continuity and efficacy. Allocating a portion of donations, akin to initiatives like CIBC's, would be transformative, significantly impacting survival rates in the black community. Let us unite in support of the Oladele Foundation, ensuring they can continue their invaluable work. Their contribution, bringing joy and healing to those battling cancer, is truly akin to the healing power of a joyful heart, as scripture reminds us. https://lnkd.in/g5uVVEJ7