Every logo you see above belongs to an organization that I support in some way. Each one is important to me in an emotional way. Not every organization has helped me personally, but every one stands for something important to me and represents something I feel strongly about, whether it has affected me personally or not. I also write about my personal experiences with/feelings about endometriosis, sexual trauma, and other things that have lead to my interest in these organizations on my blog page, which you can visit via the button above.
Endometriosis Foundation of America:
This organization personally effects me even though I am Canadian. I have endometriosis, and I can tell you from personal experience that it is a truly awful disease which effects you physically and mentally in many different ways. I can also tell you that this disease has almost no recognition in our society, despite being incredibly prevalent worldwide. Every bit of research into this horrible disease counts, regardless of where in the world it is coming from. Endometriosis Foundation of America strives to gain recognition for the disease throughout the medical community and with the general public. There is a focus on providing advocacy, facilitating expert surgical training, and funding endometriosis research – all things that are DESPERATELY needed. Please, if anyone knows of a Canadian organization that they have faith in in-relation to endometriosis, don’t hesitate to contact me!
The Brothers Trust:
What can I say except that I love this organization! The Brothers Trust supports and draws attention to various charities and causes which struggle to gain recognition. As a sufferer from a disease with very little recognition and a lack of research, I fully support and admire the premise behind The Brothers Trust. Every bit of advocacy helps to raise awareness for causes that have found themselves in the dark. The organization was set up by the Holland family in 2017 and uses the popularity of their eldest son Tom to spread the word about the causes and charities they support. With all proceeds from sales going to the supported charities, The Brothers Trust has sold t-shirts, dog collars, and tickets to private screenings of Tom’s movies, with the man himself in attendance. Though Tom only plays a superhero on-screen, as he is the newest (and wildly popular) Spider-Man, the entire Holland family has proven to be made of the right stuff, embracing that “with great power comes great responsibility”.
DEBRA Canada:
This is an organization I was turned on to as a direct result of The Brothers Trust. DEBRA is a charity founded for the purpose of raising awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which is a group of rare skin conditions that cause easy blistering and/or tearing of the skin and mucous membranes and can be very painful. The severity of the condition ranges from mild to fatal, and is an excellent example of a condition which merits far more attention than it has previously received. DEBRA was founded in the UK by the parents of children effected by EB, and it has since grown to include umbrella groups in over 40 countries worldwide. DEBRA Canada was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to increasing awareness and support for EB in Canada. As a fellow sufferer of a condition that has been left to fly under the radar for far too long, I choose to support DEBRA in the hopes that more awareness can be raised for EB, giving the condition the proper research and attention it deserves.
Endometriosis UK:
The UK’s largest charity supporting people affected by endometriosis. The mission of Endometriosis UK is to provide support and raise awareness in order to help those effected by endometriosis overcome the impact that it has on life. This includes having access to fast, appropriate care, support, and treatment. One of their goals is to empower people to help themselves as well as empowering others to help and to take this disease seriously. Endometriosis UK receives minimal funding for the time being, and relies almost entirely on donations and annual membership subscriptions. Please, if anyone knows of a Canadian organization that they have faith in in-relation to endometriosis, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Canadian Cancer Society:
Like many, many families all over the world, mine has been affected by cancer. Exactly two weeks after we lost my nan to heart complications (she had also survived uterine cancer not long before), my grandfather passed away due to brain cancer (after previously surviving colon cancer). Other people close to me have, or are, battling cancer in one form or another. The Canadian Cancer Society works to fight against over 100 different types of cancer, providing funds for research, services to those who are living with cancer, advocates for important cancer-related issues, and strives to educate and empower people to make healthy choices! Their website provides information on cancer prevention and screening, various resources and support for those affected, information on a number of different types of cancer, and a designated donation page. They also hold a number of events such as marathons and other fundraisers throughout the year(s) in order to raise the funds for cancer research and support.
SickKids Foundation:
Every child deserves a healthy life full of love and fun, however, unfortunately, life is not uncomplicated. I can tell you from personal experience that being a kid and being in and out of doctors offices and hospitals, not knowing or understanding what’s wrong with you is an incredibly daunting and exhausting experience. I’ve never been to SickKids personally, but their mission coincides with my personal feelings and I have friends whose families have been positively effected by the SickKids Foundation. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is Canada’s most research intensive hospital and largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health through research, integrating care, and teaching.
Ronald McDonald House Charities:
The Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario belongs to a network of 15 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada. Built in 1993 and located next to the McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. The Ronald McDonald Houses exist in order to keep families together in the event that a child is in need of medical attention and/or treatment that is not close to home. This specific house has helped one of my best friends family be close to a loved one during a medical emergency, and continues to be a fantastic aid to many families whose child is being seen/treated at SickKids and, specifically, the McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Canadian Blood Services:
For many people living across Canada, the difference between life and death could come from blood. I have had two abdominal surgeries in my life so far, and i’ve been hospitalized for an extended period of time due to an infection I came into contact with as a direct result of my endometriosis. In any of these circumstances I could have needed blood. In fact, when I was in the emergency room I had my blood-type checked and the possibility of needing a transfusion was discussed with me. I went to high school with a girl who later needed multiple blood transfusions and other treatments directly related to the Canadian Blood Services due to Aplastic anemia. Hemophilia and blood disorders are also things I have come into contact with via friends and family, and victims of car crashes/other tragedies are in need of blood every day. Canadian Blood Services also supports cancer patients and transplant recipients through the important collection of information. OneMatch is the Canadian Blood Services stem cell registry, providing matches for those in need of peripheral stem cells, bone marrow, and cord blood in order to save the lives of those affected by certain types of cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma; bone marrow deficiencies; Aplastic anemia; and inherited immune system and/or metabolic disorders. If you are based in the UK, a supported registry is Anthony Nolan. All you have to do to be added to the OneMatch or Anthony Nolan registries is get a simple cheek swab!
The Heart & Stroke Foundation:
My great grandmother survived a stroke and went on to lead a very different life. My nan passed away due to heart complications in 2011 before she was even 70 years old. At her funeral, our family asked for donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers, and research with this foundation remains important to our family as another loved one has discovered possible complications. The Heart & Stroke Foundation has been involved in life saving research into heart disease and stroke for over 60 years. They have been dedicated, and their efforts have helped to save and improve the lives of millions.
Covenant House Toronto:
Covenant House is a leader in sex trafficking support. In addition to helping youth who have been victims of sex trafficking by offering a place of support and refuge, Covenant House helps them stabilize, and pursue schooling and employment opportunities. Research and investigation is a large component of the work being done and is an integral part of change. Covenant House has also helped 43% of sex trafficking victims in pursuit of laying legal charges against their traffickers (no easy feat). Personalized support is offered for youth at who have experienced homelessness and sex trafficking, and there are a number of ways that people can aid in donations, fundraising, and awareness events. Popular events include Sleep Outs and Guts + Glory. I have thankfully never been trafficked, nor have I met anyone who has been (that I am aware of), I have however experienced sexual abuse by someone close to me, and unfortunately know a number of people who have had similar experiences with someone close to them, or a stranger. I unfortunately can’t count the number of friends, or simply people I have met, who have experienced some level of sexual trauma in their young life. To be taken against your will, or tricked by someone you trust, into a sex trafficking situation is not a situation I would wish on anybody, regardless of my own personal experiences. In a related note, please be on the lookout for the short All the Little Angels, a short web series that I am very excited and honoured to be a part of with Pressfame Films, as it focuses on raising awareness for sex trafficking.
Fetch & Releash:
A 100% not-for-profit, volunteer run, dog rescue based in the greater Toronto area. Fetch & Releash is dedicated to rescuing dogs locally and abroad, placing them with the right foster family, and adopting them into their forever homes! A couple of my friends volunteer with Fetch & Releash, and are a huge part of the rescue teams that bring back dogs in need of homes from places like Mexico and Tennessee. Why this organization is included on this list is a no-brainer. I have two puppers right now, I used to have three. If you count my best friends dogs, I actually have five. I love dogs, and if I could, i’d adopt all of them and give every single one the cuddles that they deserve.
Sub Zero Mission:
With the slogan “nobody should freeze to death in America”, and based in Northeast Ohio, the Sub Zero Mission helps to combat the struggles of homelessness by providing some relief from the cold. The organization is entirely donations based, with more than $300,000 collected and an uncountable number of hats, coats, gloves, boots, sleeping bags, etc. donated. The Sub Zero Mission was started by veterans in 2009 when a couple of friends who served as Marines aided homeless veterans by providing sleeping bags. Since it was founded by veterans, there is a significant effort in finding and connecting homeless veterans to various services. Sub Zero Mission’s “Blue Coat Missionaries” now travel to Eerie, Buffalo, Akron, Columbus, Youngstown, and Pittsburg in order to help save lives. This February 2020, the Sub Zero Mission will launch a new campaign through a graphic novel titled Blue Coat Missionary which will be available to buy at the SZM store in Painesville Township, Ohio, or online. Proceeds from Blue Coat Missionary sales will go to helping the homeless stay warm.
Though not all of these organizations operate in Canada or in my area, that doesn’t stop me from believing in their causes or offering some level of support. I believe that helping should be a worldwide event, and that you shouldn’t limit yourself based on geography. Change is much more likely to happen through worldwide, collaborative, efforts and I will continue to follow and support what I feel is important regardless of where in the world that may be.
Erika Triggs 