Submitted by Katie Hellmuth on | 0 Comments
One of the great parts of two partners running a business is that you get double the fun. Today for #GivingTuesday, Sabina and I donated to organizations that are near and dear to our hearts.
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - KATIE'S SIDE OF THE DONATION
No disease is the worst disease, because they all rob their hosts and their families from love as we knew it. Alzheimer's is a disease in my family, and impacted my great grandmother and my grandmother. My only memories of my great grandmother were silent ones, as she lost the ability to speak. I don't remember her "tweetering", but my mom tells me that she could only speak through squeaks. Watching my grandmother go through it was painful because of her high anxiety and confusion. I prayed she would be medically stable enough to take drugs for anxiety when she'd clutch herself in fear, warning us to leave and run to save ourselves. Thankfully she was, and even was aloud to have a toothless cat named Lucky to live with her in her room. Lucky was with her, curled up on and warming her stomach, until my grandmother's peaceful moment finally came.
Watching my mom and her family care for her was also heartbreaking. I am grateful to facilities that specialize in designing community homes for people living with Alzheimer's because it removes some of the scary from their lives as they lose recognition of normal things, like their own homes and loved ones. I don't give enough to the Alzheimer's Association who advances research to end Alzheimer's and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease. I am grateful today for this new movement, #GivingTuesday that has us officially making a donation today in this Holiday Season.
STANDBUY - SABINA'S SIDE OF THE DONATION:
When you hear a friend, family member or acquaintance has been diagnosed with cancer your thoughts, concerns and good wishes naturally focus on them beating it, getting better, getting the best possible treatment and keeping their spirits up. What we often forget is the massive financial toll this takes on them and their family (even wish insurance). As a proud daughter of a mom who finishes her last radiation treatment tomorrow (!!) I can tell you I've had a front row seat to all the other pieces of that equation that no one even thinks about until it impacts them or their family: how do you update everyone in your support system on your status and treatment when you can barely muster up energy to get your normal to do list done, how do you coordinate who can help you with what, and for some, the question of "how will I even pay for these astronomical treatment bills" is a major concern. All of those questions are answered via the nonprofit Standbuy.
Founded by entrepreneur Sashka Rothchild who stood by as her mom fought, and in the end lost, her own battle with brain cancer, it provides a focused, supportive and easy to use platform so that others might find a little more room in their day for healing instead of worrying about financial stress. They are committed to helping those fighting cancer access their community of supporters as quickly and directly as possible to share updates, organize the logistics of their support needs, and get immediate financial support. Cancer is hard enough, no other part of the journey should be as stressful, and thanks to Standbuy, it doesn't have to be.
