CLICK HERE to read up on and donate to a very worthwhile cause!

"St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.

St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We've built America's second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops."

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The Hollywood Reporter has chosen actress Eva Longoria Parker as their Philanthropist of the Year.

THR publisher Eric Mika says of Eva:

"I've never met a more conscientious and socially aware young, energetic talent. Eva's effors on behalf of the causes near and dear to her are Herculean. She pours her free time and energy into raising millions of dollars for charitable missions that make a difference in the Latino community and other humanitarian organizations."

Eva is the national spokesperson for Padres Contra El Cancer (Parents Against Cancer), a nonprofit aiding Latino children with cancer and their families. She also founded Eva's Heroes in her hometown of San Antonio which provides after-school programs for those with developmental disabilities.

Eva is also currently executive producing a documentary called The Harvest, focusing on the mostly Latino child farm workers in America.

Okay, okay, so she is doing some pretty great things!

Felicidades, Eva!

[Image via Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.]

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"AIDS Emergency Fund

AEF was one of the nation’s earliest responders to AIDS. In the summer of 1982, AEF began providing emergency financial assistance to people who had been fired and evicted by panicked employers and landlords because they showed symptoms of a mysterious and deadly illness.

Since then, AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF) has provided more than $26,000,000 in emergency financial assistance to people facing the challenges of living with debilitating HIV and AIDS. This has been made possible by the overwhelming support from the San Francisco community. AEF's very low overhead is covered by corporate and foundation gifts, which means 100% of all funds from individuals and community events goes directly to clients in need.

Each year approximately 2,500 low-income San Franciscans get help from AEF – enabling them to maintain housing and utility services, make medical co-payments, and meet other critical expenses while they are too sick to work. And, AEF works closely with more than 40 other AIDS service agencies in San Francisco to assure that its emergency assistance is coupled with referrals to other organizations that provide meals, counseling, subsidized housing and other longer-term assistance."

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CLICK HERE to read up on and donate to a very worthwhile cause!

Better The World

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Doing good things for the kiddies - and not her own!

Victoria Beckham brought along her 10-year-old son, Brooklyn, to Clay County, Kentucky, this week to raise awareness for childhood poverty and the Save The Children's US Programs.

Clay County is one of the poorest counties in America and has a high rate of illiteracy and obesity in children not to mention poor cognitive and emotional development. 1 in 6 children in the US lives in poverty!

Victoria says:

"Seeing Save the Children's innovative programs in action, I know that we can begin to reverse the childhood poverty crisis. I'm pleased Brooklyn is learning that by helping and joining other children he can play a role in making his generation the greatest yet."

Posh and Brooklyn attended an after-school reading/healthy snack program at Manchester Elementary School, where they gave away Adidas shoes and backpacks and played soccer with the students. At Big Creek Elementary they read books to children as well as making home visits to parents to talk about literacy and nutrition.

"What I saw in Clay County was the hope and promise inherent in every child," Posh said. "That's why we have to make sure every single child has a fair and equal start in life."

Not only is she fierce and fashionable, but she's charitable, too!

CLICK HERE to find out more about Save the Children!

[Image via BJJ / WENN.]

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Singer Annie Lennox was honored with the 2009 "Woman of Peace" award yesterday in Berlin at a Nobel Peace Laureate summit.

Lennox has been involved in raising awardness of HIV/AIDS especially in women and children in South Africa. She gathered 23 female vocalists to record the song "SING" for her SING organization that has since raised $2 million dollars to provide treatment, testing, HIV education and prevention programs in South Africa.

Lennox, who was inspired to help the AIDS effort by Nelson Mandela's description of HIV in Africa as a "genocide," says of her award:

"I want to express my profound gratitude and deep humility. I honor all the women working around the globe to reduce the effects of this pandemic. This is for them, they truly deserve it."

Congratulations, Annie!

[Image via AP Images.]

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"Watts (Los Angeles) is an economically depressed area known for its high drop out rates, widespread unemployment, poverty, crime and gang violence – and the rate of violent crime triples in the hours immediately following the school day. The local middle schools are the recruiting grounds for new gang members and some children join as early as eight years old.

Urban Compass was formed in partnership with Verbum Dei High School and 112th Street Elementary School to combat poverty and violence and make a difference in the lives of children in Watts. Together we capture children at a very volatile age and offer an alternative model for them: an environment that challenges our young people
to envision a rewarding future.

Urban Compass operates after school and summer programs at Verbum Dei High School to serve students from 112th Street Elementary School and Sage Child Care Center. We provide tutoring support, enrichment activities and field trips to keep the children engaged in a positive learning experience – and off the streets."

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"ClearWater Initiative is a non-governmental charitable organization that strives to provide clean, potable water solutions to populations in need.

Mission
It is our mission to provide clean water to populations affected by natural or man-made humanitarian emergencies. We respond by promoting and funding both established and innovative clean water solutions. Our projects are implemented in partnerships with local Ugandan engineers. Projects are audited to ensure accountability. "

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"The Mission of The Sarah Jane Brain Project is to create a model system for children suffering from all Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries"

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