What am I passionate about? I am passionate about writing, of course! But what is writing all about? It’s about LIFE! The life we live, the life we want to live and the people we love. I support many foundations that strive to make life better for others. I hope and pray you can support them, too! I’m passionate about GIVING!
*The use of organizational logos is for advocacy purposes only*
CVAC - Crime Victims Advocacy Council
Thank God everyone has not had to deal with the loss of a loved one to a violent crime or been a crime victim. However, in this day and time with all the racial profiling and racial injustices occurring each and every day, more and more people are dealing with police brutality that oftentimes results in death.
It’s been reported that nearly 1 in 5 women (18.3%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives, including completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration.
There’s rarely a day that passes in which I do not think about my brother, Michael Bennett or my cousin, Vanessa Choice. Michael was murdered by my neighbor and Nessa was stalked, raped and murdered. Both, senselessly murdered in the prime of their lives. Their deaths, incredibly tragic events, will stay with my family and me always.
That’s why I got involved with CVAC. I wanted to help others, like myself, deal with the tragedy of losing a loved one to violence.
If you’re interested in volunteering your time or helping financially, please contact CVAC.
I’ve had two very dear friends pass away from AIDS, Woodrow Marrow and Zimmerman Tylee. Woodrow and Zim were two of the sweetest, funniest, most caring people I’ve ever known. Their deaths didn’t have to happen.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight infection and disease. Research has come a very long way since my friends passed away in the nineties.
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $550 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide.
Check out amfAR’s website for more information. I support amfAR and I hope that you will, too.
Every single day I think about my dear parents, George (Bubba) and Elease Bennett. Momma and Daddy both had cancer. Mom had colon cancer, and lung cancer took daddy’s life. My parents died a little more than a year a part. When Daddy’s cancer hit, it came fast and hard. Unfortunately, cancer strikes in so many ways and in every part of our bodies. The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until they do, they’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. American Cancer Society does all this so you and I can live longer and better.
My sweet, wonderful mother-in-law, Lillie Maude (Burns) Jacobs, succumbed to diabetes related illness. Diabetes Type 2 runs rampant in African-American culture and is nothing to be ignored. American Diabetes Association is a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes. American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes. Diabetes can lead to kidney issues. American Kidney Services is another cause that I donate regularly to. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects people of all ages, can result in chronic renal failure, its most significant outcome. More than 31 million Americans suffer from CKD. 14,000 people receive kidney transplants annually. However, nearly 100,000 people remain on the kidney transplant list. AKS accepts all sorts of donations and will pickup non-monetary donations right from your house.
My dear friend, Karen Wells, suffered a brain aneurysm that ended her life as she celebrated her thirty-first birthday. Aneurysms strike without warning leaving countless families stunned and heartbroken. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation promotes early detection of brain aneurysms by providing knowledge and raising awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors. Work with the medical communities to provide support networks for patients and families, as well as to further research that will improve patient outcomes and save lives. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is the globally recognized leader in brain aneurysm awareness, education, support, advocacy and research funding.
So many of our loved ones have suffered and many have died from one or more of these devastating conditions. It is in honor of the brave, strong, beautiful souls that I loved, that I have such a passionate desire to help, in any way possible.
I implore you to help as well. Monetary donations are great. However, your time is needed and welcomed, just as much. Please give whatever you can to these organizations that work feverishly to find a cure and to make life better for those stricken with these terrible illnesses and conditions.
Use the convenient links embedded to visit the organizations websites and donate. Remember, it only takes a little, when done by many, to make a BIG difference.
Thank you and much love!
Sincerely,
Victoria Miguel-Joseph
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