Featured Fundraising Project Danielle

Danielle Suffers From Lymes Disease — Danielle, a wonderful, 23-year old, young woman who just found out that she has been suffering for the last two years with Lymes disease. At first, Danielle didn’t know what was wrong, and went to several doctors who told her she just had flu symptoms, but her symptoms kept getting worse — persistent fatigue; loss of concentration; numbness, tingling, and other odd sensations in her hands, arms, feet and legs, headaches, sleep disturbances and joint pains. She was once a thriving, intelligent and athletic young woman who has been so ill the last two years that she has hardly left her bed.

She found a doctor who specializes in the treatment of Lymes Disease. Unfortunately, Danielle doesn’t have health insurance. Lymes disease, if treated quickly, can be cured with simple antibiotics. Unfortunately, Danielle is at stage 2 or 3 of the disease, and the drug treatment plan will consist of antibiotics and IV drips for several months. It is crucial that she start her treatments immediately. Not treating this disease will cause a lifetime of recurring symptoms.

All donations will go toward payment of the doctor’s fees and medicines to cure her of this terrible disease.

I was so happy to have found MicroGiving.com. It is a resource that reaches out to family and friends. MicroGiving.com is an avenue to hope.

To read more about Danielle please visit: http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ldasaraf

How to Raise Money for any Need

Finding ways to raise money can be extremely challenging. Shortages of funds are not rare in this difficult economy, although at times, finding ways to raise money can be a daunting, if not seemingly impossible, task.

Use MicroGiving to Raise Money for Special Projects

There are many online sources that can help people raise money for a wide variety of causes.  The causes may include charity work, community, school or church events or projects; additional financial needs for transportation, school or home expenses; medical issues; utilities; hardship expenses; or personal projects including anything and everything from creating a giant wall mural to writing a book or recording a CD or taping a TV show.  Some may want to raise money to take vacations or find a new place to live.  With online resources such as MicroGiving, raising money does not have to be a pipe dream.  Using online tools can make those dreams a reality and have needs met that might otherwise be ignored.

Raising money online does not necessarily mean that one is asking for a handout.  There are ways in which one can get money for a type of service or a prize.  For example, a page could present a raffle or tickets to a specific event, while others may want to offer artistic services or consultancy.

Tried and True Fundraising Ideas

In the days before the advent of the internet, traditional fundraising ideas might include pancake suppers, bake sales, raffles, auctions, carnivals or just straight donations.  Many companies relied on these fundraisers to support their charities, events or organizations.  In today’s society it is often difficult to get busy people to attend charity events and therefore, it may be harder to raise necessary funds.  Using the internet to put a new twist on traditional fundraising as an innovative way to support those events, projects and agencies – often with much less effort.

Using Online Programs to Support Traditional Fundraising Ideas

One might wonder how this could be done.  The use of online programs to perfect traditional fundraising ideas for your charity is not that difficult.  However, there are some fundraisers that will not work online, such as a bake sale or carnival.  However, a charity or organization can sell tickets to specific events, hold raffles, craft sales, art auctions and arrange other events with the same amount of success.  In fact, the level of success will undoubtedly be higher since the online access allows more people to support the charity, cause or project from any location and at any time that is convenient to them.

The most important thing is deciding which type of fundraising ideas are most suited to your needs and adapt it to an online format.

Creating a Natural Disaster Fundraiser

There has been a significant number of natural disasters around the world in the past six months, leaving tens of thousands of people without housing, food, water, clothing and medical care.  The poor state of the current economy has taken a toll on these people as well as the resources they may have counted on to help them in this time of need.

Individuals and communities have stepped forward to help the victims of natural disasters.  In addition to private and public support from existing sources, many people have also chosen to raise money by helping to develop fundraiser events and projects to further support those in need.

Setting up a Fundraiser for Victims

There are many different types of fundraisers that could offer much needed support to these victims of natural disasters.  Many have lost their homes, jobs, and loved ones.  Many are in need of food, shelter, water and clothing.  Community resources are down and there is often not enough to go around.

In addition to direct support from local donors, communities and charitable organizations may consider developing an online fundraiser page to bring awareness to the plight of these victims.  Exposure to the charity event can help to bring in more support and to raise funds faster than if the event was advertised only on a local level.

Check out how to set up a fundraiser page so that money and goods may be sent to those in need.

Fundraising With Discount Cards

Many organizations find that creating gift or discount cards is an effective fundraising tool, particularly for school events and projects.  Events may include field trips, fun days or any other kind of unusual event that cannot be funded by the school, such as a foreign trip as a class.  Special projects may include raising money for new sports or band uniforms, equipment, supplies or scholarships.

Using Gift and Discount Cards as Fundraising Tools

There are several ways in which you can arrange and organize this type of project.  For gift cards, it is likely that the easiest way is to approach local businesses that would be interested in supporting the cause, project or event.  This can be approached as if the cards are going to be sold individually or if they are going to be raffled off as part of a larger program.  Many people like gift cards and discount cards because they are often related to places they would ordinarily go.  It is a win-win situation!

The same can be said about using local businesses for discount cards.  This type of program is very popular when it comes to school projects.  However, if selling the discount cards online, it is best to try to entice larger, regional, statewide or national businesses to participate so that the discount cards will generate more interest and have a broader appeal, thereby raising more money.

Ways to Raise Money for Charity: Auction Your Possessions

There are many ways to raise money for the charity of your choice, but one method that is becoming increasingly popular is to auction off personal belongings.

When selling valuables to make cash it is paramount that you take the time to think carefully about what you’re selling. While you will ultimately be donating to a good cause, don’t just rush in and auction everything off in one go, because six months down the line you or your donors may be disheartened that something precious or with sentimental was sold. Donors should carefully consider which possessions they want to sell on before committing to placing them into an auction because, once they’re gone, you can’t get them back.

Auction Your Possessions – One of Many Ways to Raise Money for your Charity

Once you and the rest of your fundraisers have decided what to sell, it’s simply a matter of locating a website that allows you to auction the belongings. One of the most known is eBay, a fantastic auction site where you can sell second hand or even brand new goods to eager customers. Auction items with a reserve or simply place as a ‘buy it now’ good to start selling. Meanwhile, if you have more specific antiques, you can use websites such as ‘Value My Stuff’ to get an estimate value before you sell. And if you have clothes you don’t want, you could even use the new ASOS marketplace to list fashion apparel.

Auctioning off items is just one of many ways to raise money, whilst inspiring and attracting new donors to help with your charitable cause.

How to Raise Money as an Individual

There are many resources that can be used to raise money for charity groups but there are fewer resources for those that need to raise funds on a smaller, individual basis.  Raising money in a tough economy is not an easy task.  However, there are some ideas that can net a fair amount of money if implemented correctly.  Listed below are some ways in which an individual may be able to raise funds for a specific cause.  Some involve standard charity-type fundraising while others are more related to work.

How to Raise Money Outside an Organization

1.     Hold a garage sale.  While this may seem simple, it can be very profitable, particularly if neighbors and friends are willing to donate items to the cause.

2.     Sell items on eBay.  People on eBay seem willing to buy almost anything.  Sellers might be surprised at how easy it is to get rid of unused items around the house.

3.     Blogging.  Blogging and writing short freelance articles will not make someone rich but it can certainly bring in some money.  Aside from that, it is easy work.

4.     Hold a bake or craft sale.  As with a garage sale, friends and neighbors are often eager to lend a hand by donating some type of baked good or craft.

5.     Hold a benefit dinner.  Benefit dinners can be highly successful and profitable, particularly if the items that will be served at the meal have been donated by a local restaurant or food supply service.

Jordin Sparks and Others Give to Charity

May 22^nd saw a gathering of some of the most prominent names in sports and show business give to charity at the 26th anniversary of Sports Spectacular held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.  The event honors top athletes and also benefits the Medical Genetics Institute at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.  The evening was hosted by Jim Hill, Samantha Harris and John Salley.

Stars Give to Charity Through Auction

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the honored athletes, the event also featured a silent auction.  The auction was designed to raise funds to combat genetic birth defects and raised more than $1.3 million.  The total raised thus far through the event has topped $21 million.

American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks started the evening off when she sang the National Anthem.  Approximately 1,800 sports stars, celebrities, business and community leaders, entertainers and charity organizations attended the evening to honor an elite list of sports figures.

Honorees and their presenters included Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsey Vonn, whose award was presented by Ron Artest; Los Angeles Clippers NBA Star Blake Griffin whose award was presented by Michael Strahan; U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan whose award was presented by Tim Leiweke; and Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers icon and NFL Defensive Player of the Year, whose award was presented by Joel Madden.

Also present at the charity event were many famous faces including Tia Carrere, Buzz Aldrin, Benji Madden, Alan Thicke and Summer Sanders.

Those who wish to give to charity can make a donation online.

Rockers Support Relief Organizations

This year the Celebrity Apprentice had its share of musicians who are actively involved in relief organizations, including iconic 70s rock legend Meat Loaf, Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray, rapper Lil Jon, Motown legend Dionne Warwick and country sensation John Rich.  While the stars were certainly highly competitive in raising money for their various charity organizations, some fared better than others in Donald Trump’s reality TV scenario.

Relief Organizations in the Limelight

The organizations ranged from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to The United Methodist Children’s Home.  At the end of the day, the stars were so supportive of each other’s charities that several of the participants decided to get together to record a single to boost awareness and fundraising for their various charity organizations.  The project included recording a single entitled “Stand in the Storm.”  The proceeds will go to support the charities sponsored by the celebs, including Meat Loaf’s charity, The Painted Turtle, an organization founded by actor Paul Newman as one of his “Hole in the Wall Gang” camps for sick children.  John Rich’s charity is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Lil Jon has devoted his time and talent to the United Methodist Children’s Home of North Georgia; and singer Mark McGrath has focused his efforts on raising money for the Save The Music Foundation.

The single, “Stand in the Storm,” was released on May 9^th, 2011 as part of iTunes featured downloads.  Supporters may also donate online to the cause as a whole or to the individual relief organizations.

Celebrities and Soles4Souls Help People in Need

Soles4Souls, a charity organization targeted to help people without shoes, has announced Barefoot Week 2011.  The event will showcase shoe distribution and various media events throughout seven major cities.  The annual event will take place the first week in June.

Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization devoted to collecting donations through shoe drives at churches, community centers and schools.  The charity donates thousands of pairs of shoes each year to those who are unable to afford them.  Soles4Souls asks people to go barefoot for one day during Barefoot Week to raise awareness for those that live in extreme poverty.

“It’s an honor to donate shoes to help Soles4Souls as they do incredible things for the less fortunate people in this world” said singer Jessica Simpson.  “I encourage everyone to lend support.”

“I’ve got sole but I’m not a soldier” says Perez Hilton.  “However, with Soles 4 Souls I am helping to fight the war against poverty in my own small way by giving to those in need.”

Helping People by Donating Shoes

Barefoot Week begins with “National Barefoot Day” on June 1^st.  The first shoe distribution event will take place in Detroit, with other events in LA, Boston, Newark, Atlanta and St. Louis to follow.  In addition to the distribution, Ebay and StubHub are hosting a “Take Off Your Boots” event on June 5^th.  People who bring a new pair of shoes to San Francisco’s Hard Rock Cafe will be given a free pair of U2 tickets.

Soles4Souls also gives supporters the opportunity to help people through an online donation.

Celebs Help People Go Green

While many people have jumped on the bandwagon to help people and to contribute to a more sustainable future, there are some celebrities that have been referred to as trailblazers in the environmental arena.  One of those celebs is Ed Begley, Jr.  To celebrate Begley’s accomplishments, the 15th Annual Millennium Awards, sponsored by Global Green USA, will acknowledge Begley and others for their contributions in recognizing Global Green USA’s vision of “fostering a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure world.”

Global Green USA Chief Executive Matt Petersen will be on hand to honor the Los Angeles Business Council, Ed Begley Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Wendy Schmidt at the event.  Celebrity presenters scheduled to appear include Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Bacon, Christopher Guest and Kyra Sedgwick.

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the honorees, the event is also designed to raise funds to help people support Global Green’s efforts to rebuild a greener New Orleans, create green schools and affordable housing in Los Angeles and throughout the country.  The charity organization also lobbies for effective policy changes to focus on climate changes.

Help Global Green Help People

Global Green USA, founded in 1993, is the American counterpart of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Green Cross International.  Its mission is to create and advocate solutions to climate change.  Global Green is based in California, with offices in New Orleans and Washington, D.C, and to date the charity organization has “greened” almost $20 billion in new construction for schools and housing and has authored numerous state and federal laws to help people go green.

CMT and Others Support Disaster Relief Organizations

Disaster relief organizations are receiving much needed support thanks to a recent concert on cable television. On Thursday, CMT premiered a 90-minute concert titled Music Builds that aimed at raising awareness and much needed funds for those affected by recent floods, storms and tornadoes. Charity organizations like the American Red Cross have stepped up to provide assistance wherever possible.

The event was co-hosted by HLN’s Robin Meade, ESPN’s Erin Andrews, and comedian Ron White.  During the evening many celebrities performed, including Tim McGraw, Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson, Alabama, Gretchen Wilson, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Sara Evans, Ronnie Dunn, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Trace Adkins.  The evening also featured a call to action from U.S. President Barack Obama.  All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

The event was broadcast around the world via American Forces Network, local TV affiliates and radio stations and CNN.com.  It is estimated that the program reached tens of millions of viewers worldwide.

Victims Need Relief Organizations

Since the natural disasters have struck various parts of the country and the world, many victims are relying on relief organizations for support in many areas, including providing basic necessities such as shelter, food, water and clothing for those left homeless.  Affected areas include Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and North Carolina.

In addition to the evening’s performances, there were special calls to action from American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, with host Ryan Seacrest.  Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres, Courteney Cox, Taylor Swift, Big Kenny, University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban, Shania Twain and Nicole Kidman were among others that showed their support.

Those wishing to support disaster relief organizations can donate online.

Volunteer Opportunities for UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the many celebrities that have embraced volunteer opportunities for the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund.  Parker, an ambassador for UNICEF, will be on hand at the Global Business Coalition’s 10th Anniversary Conference to introduce the UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund.  The conference is scheduled to take place on June 2^nd.

Worldwide Opportunities

The Global Business Coalition’s 10th Anniversary Conference is being co-sponsored by UNICEF and the Global Business Coalition.  The fund is designed to raise UNICEF’s presence of mind and to join together a vast network of entities from more than 150 developing countries to gather information and to draw on the assets and experience of industry experts.  The ideas gained through this network will be reviewed and shaped by the GBC with the aim of refining ideas to provide a valuable base of resources for the fund.

The UNICEF HIV/AIDS Innovation Fund is focused on bringing together HIV experts along with a group of diverse business leaders and philanthropists to invest in a variety of high impact, low cost technology and interventions that have a strong potential to alter the face of the AIDS epidemic.

UNICEF, one of the world’s foremost charity organizations plans to allocate $4-5 million annually through the fund to support projects with the highest potential success rate, and starting in 2011, the plan is set on a five year schedule with the hopes of achieving the possibility of an HIV/AIDS free generation by 2015 thanks to a number of volunteer opportunities.

Celebrities Provide Housing Assistance for Japan

Disaster relief organizations such as www.uniteforjapan.org and the American Red Cross are providing housing assistance to the Japanese people, along with funds that will allow them to rebuild their country and their lives after a devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck in March, killing thousands and leaving many more homeless.  Actor Ken Watanabe founded www.uniteforjapan.org, a charity organization designed to pull people together to assist in funding Japan’s relief effort.  In addition, the organization is working with other agencies such as the American Red Cross, Global Giving and Japan Society.

“When I first saw the catastrophic damage, I was in shock and utter disbelief,” said Watanabe.  “In the days following the earthquake, it was devastating for me to watch the homeless taking shelter at evacuation centers.”  Watanabe talks about people not having an adequate supply of clothing and food, a fact that caused him to feel helpless.

Disaster Relief Organizations Create Funding

Unite for Japan gathered together a group of A-list celebrities to help record two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness about the plight of the Japanese in the aftermath of the disaster.  Participating in the PSAs were: Paula Abdul, Jamie Lee Curtis, Matt Damon, Zac Brown, Ellen DeGeneres, Rob Marshall, Ben Affleck, Johnny Depp, Mikael Hafstrom, Katy Perry, Clint Eastwood, Ayako Fujutani, William Shatner, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Muramasa Kudo, Jennifer Morrison, Aisha Tyler, Sharon Lawrence, Cameron Diaz, John Legend, Hideki Matsui, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Patrick, Richard Lewis, Zoe Saldana, Cillian Murphy, Julian McMahon, Cobie Smulders, Apolo Ohno, Steph Song, Maggie Q, Charlize Theron, Jake Shimabukuro, Jonah Hill, Masi Oka, John Travolta, Ben Stiller and Mark Wahlberg.

Those who want to make a donation to charity organizations that help Japan can donate online and provide much needed housing assistance.

Ferrells Beat Illiteracy Through Emergency Financial Assistance

Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin-Ferrell, held an emergency financial assistance fundraiser at their home in the Hollywood Hills to benefit the charity organization Room to Read, a non-profit designed to help people worldwide beat illiteracy by providing schools, libraries and books to children that may not have access to the materials otherwise.

Will Ferrell took the stage as Viveca served as the evening’s auctioneer.  Room to Read founder and co-chair John Wood was also on hand.  The event, and the auction, raised nearly $300,000 to support the construction of four schools, nine libraries and 10,000 young adult books that will provide as much as 256 years of education.  Celebrities participating in the auction include Jack Black, Molly Shannon and Fred Savage.

Ongoing Events to Raise Money for Financial Assistance

The founders and supporters of Room to Read along with committee members, plan to make the fundraiser an annual event with the hopes of raising awareness for the program and its goals.  The organization’s goals include gender equality through education and developing literacy skills for children to help them succeed in their secondary education careers.  Since its inception in 2000, Room to Read has helped to impact more than five million people in Africa and Asia.  The goal of the charity organization is to continue to help people and provide emergency financial assistance to as many as ten million people by 2015.

Britney Asks People to Donate Online

Britney Spears has asked fans and supporters to donate online, namely the St. Bernard Project.  The St. Bernard Project is working alongside the United Way to help people in the New Orleans area and Spears was recently named as a charity ambassador.

“It’s time to bring families back home to New Orleans” she tweeted today.  “Join the @Stbernardproj with me & help rebuild lives.”

Give to Charity

Spears posted the following on her FirstGiving.com page: “Your donation today will help St. Bernard Project (SBP) get families home and help rebuild the New Orleans area.  You can be a part of the rebirth of New Orleans and have a significant impact on helping families finally return home almost 6 years after Hurricane Katrina.”

The St. Bernard Project was launched in 2006 by Zack Rosenberg and Liz McCartney.  To date the organization has been able to help more than 350 families move back into their homes after the catastrophes surrounding hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  There are still approximately 200 families living in FEMA trailers while thousands of others reside in temporary housing.

In order to carry out this mission successfully, the St. Bernard Project has founded a Volunteer Driven Rebuilding Program, which is able to rebuild homes in approximately 12 weeks of volunteer labor with around $15,000 in building supplies.  It has also established a Good Work Good Pay (GWGP) Program, an Opportunity Housing Program and a Center for Wellness and Mental Health. Britney Spears is urging those wishing to make a contribution to donate online.

Sheen Supports Micro Lending Via Ticket Sales

Actor Charlie Sheen has been in the news a great deal lately, mostly for all the wrong reasons. In fact, Sheen has created quite a buzz with his spontaneous micro lending to charity.  Since the beginning of Sheen’s Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour, the actor has devoted a portion of ticket sales to helping various charity organizations in need of support.

Lending for Charity Organizations at the Forefront

During the Toronto portion of Sheen’s tour, part of the total ticket sales went to support disaster relief organizations in Japan.  Sheen also asked fans to participate in a two kilometer walk to raise funds for the Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder.  The actor also announced that he would match the donations dollar for dollar.

Last week, Sheen’s publicist announced the actor’s plans to donate funds from merchandise sales to the Bryan Stow Fund.  Bryan Stow is a baseball fan that was viciously attacked and severely beaten at a San Francisco Giants game.  Currently, Stow’s doctors are attempting to revive Stow from a medically induced coma.  Stow, 42, was attacked in the parking lot of the stadium by two men that have not yet been identified.  There is a $100,000 reward to anyone that can identify Stow’s attackers.

Stow’s co-workers have planned a micro charity fund raiser.  Supporters wishing to make online donations may do so through the family’s Facebook page.  Sheen’s micro lending donation to the Bryan Stow Fund is the first from Sheen’s Korner Foundation.

Celebrities Give to Charity for Children

Celebrities banded together on April 30^th to give to charity and participate in the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital event, “Walk for Kids, Street Party and Turn on the Lights Celebration.”  Among the celebrities that participated in the event were American singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox, supermodel Heidi Klum, and actresses Jennifer Grey, Jamie Lee Curtis and Melanie Griffith.  Another famous face also participated in the event – six-year-old actor Max Page, who appeared as Darth Vader in this year’s popular Super Bowl commercial.

“I’m so happy to be part of the celebration because Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a very special place,” said Bowersox, a singer-songwriter that gained prominence on American Idol and released her first solo album Farmer’s Daughter late last year.  “I’m glad to bring my music to the Street Party celebration for families to enjoy so we can all have a good time.”

The volunteers walked through the streets of Los Angeles to help support the new children’s hospital.  The walk began in Griffith Park through the neighborhood of Los Feliz to the hospital entrance at 4650 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The volunteer opportunities continue to abound even though the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital has been built.

Opportunities Abound

The 317 bed facility is scheduled to open its doors to patients on July 10^th but the hospital will continue to take donations from those who give to charity – in person or online donations, to secure its ability to run efficiently and to serve the vast number of children that come through its doors each year.

Disaster Relief Organizations and Ryan Gosling Focus on Congo

Disaster relief organizations have their hands full these days with the numerous natural disasters around the world from the earthquake in New Zealand, to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to the recent tornados in the southern U.S.

The ENOUGH Project is one of many charity organizations speaking out on behalf of the people of the Congo, a war-torn area of the world that seems to be forever mired in violence.  Activist and actor Ryan Gosling recently took a trip to the eastern Congo with the ENOUGH Project to witness first-hand the issues faced by the country and its people.

Video Supports Relief Organizations

Gosling managed to capture scenes on video for ENOUGH Project’s “Raise Hope for Congo” campaign.  The campaign is designed to create a permanent solution to the war in the Congo.

“We recently traveled together to Congo, where the deadliest war in the world is occurring,” the men wrote.  “It’s a war which most people know nothing about, despite the fact that we’re all directly connected to it.  Armed groups are fighting over the lucrative minerals that power our cell phones and laptops, leaving a trail of human destruction that has no equal globally since World War II.

While in the Congo the men spent most of their time talking with survivors of this silent war.  They were keen to know what people had experienced, and also what messages they might have for the rest of the world’s population who have come to depend on laptops and cell phones that inadvertently connect them to the region.

Disaster relief organizations such as the ENOUGH Project, along with support from celebrities like Ryan Gosling, help to highlight the troubles of this war-torn area to the rest of the world.

Micro Credit to Support Alzheimer’s Victims

Micro credit is one way in which Leeza’s Place, a program from The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, is helping to raise awareness and gain support for Alzheimer’s research.  The newest project from Leeza’s Place is a documentary to be shown on CNN in May.  The special, Unthinkable: the Alzheimer’s Epidemic will feature Larry King’s crew trailing Leeza as she conducts interviews with caregivers regarding their work and experiences with the “thief of memories”.  In addition to the documentary, centers such as Leeza’s Place help to raise funds and help people through various crowdfunding programs. Leeza will also take viewers into a Leeza’s Place support center where caregivers receive training and activities designed to help them in their journey.

Raising Awareness

Alzheimer’s is a pervasive disease and it is estimated that 5.4 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the condition.  Currently it is number six on the list for leading cause of death, yet much is still unknown about it.

Host Larry King will be joined by many people who have been touched in some way by Alzheimer’s disease and will include interviews with Leeza Gibbons; the former First Lady of California and Alzheimer’s activist Maria Shriver; former First Lady Laura Bush; actors Angie Dickinson; Seth Rogen and David Hyde Pierce; football star Terrell Owens and Ron Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan.  Also included in the documentary will be Dr. Sanjay Gupta who is a neurosurgeon and the CNN chief medical correspondent.  Dr. Gupta will explain Alzheimer’s and how it can affect the human brain.

Those who want to help people such as Alzheimer’s suffers can make a donation through crowdfunding and micro credit programs.