Charity Talks

John Gungie Rivera, the founder of the Cristian Rivera Foundation, is this episode's guest.  John started the foundation in honor of his four year old son, Cristian, who was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare brain tumor located in the stem of the brain. During the podcast, John and Brooke discuss DIPG, Cristian's story, and how the Foundation is helping to improve the lives of those suffering from this tumor.  Cristian's experience reflects the importance of the Foundation's work.  (0:16).

Website: https://cristianriverafoundation.org

Videos: https://cristianriverafoundation.org/videos/

Brad Corrigan, the director of the film Ileana's Smile, co-founder of the band Dispatch, and founder of Love Light + Melody, joins Charity Talks.  In 2006, Brad founded Love Light + Melody and built a global community of supporters who are helping transform the lives of children, primarily in Nicaragua, and serving families on the frontlines of crisis and poverty through education and music.  Brad and Brooke discuss what led Brad to nonprofit work and his experience creating the film, as well as the impact of his nonprofit.  All proceeds from Ileana's Smile go towards funding the expansion of Ileana's School of Hope.  (0:29).

Website:  https://www.lovelightandmelody.org

Robin King, the CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF), is this episode's guest.  As Robin and Brooke discuss, NSF provides critical support for warriors, veterans and families of Naval Special Warfare.  It offers assistance in a wide variety of areas, from health to education.  NSF provides millions of dollars in comprehensive services, enabling SEALs to thrive despite the challenges of elite service.  (0:20).

Website:  www.navysealfoundation.org

Meg Smith, the CEO of Cure Alzheimer's Fund, joins Charity Talks.  Cure Alzheimer's Fund is dedicated to funding research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing or reversing Alzheimer's disease.  The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and as Meg and Brooke discuss, that leads to a wide range of promising targets for potential research.  Since its inception, Cure Alzeimer's Fund has distributed almost $230 million to researchers around the world.  Most significantly, Cure Alzheimer's Fund's work has already deepened the understanding of Alzheimer's genetics, lifestyle factors, and potential diagnostics and treatments.  (0:32).

Website:  https://curealz.org

Lauren Hendricks, the President and CEO of Trickle Up, is this episode's guest.  Trickle Up partners with women in extreme poverty to build economic opportunities through programs rooted in the "Graduation Approach."  As Lauren and Brooke discuss, Trickle Up's programs reach the most marginalized communities including women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and people facing forced displacement.  Founded in 1979, Trickle up has served over 500,000 participants in their programs and has impacted over 2 million lives.  (0:26).

Website:  https://trickleup.org

Susan Combs, the Founder of Pancakes For Roger, joins Charity Talks.  Susan founded Pancakes for Roger to honor her father, Major General Roger E. Combs, by helping veteran address the unique challenges they face during and after their service.  Through partnerships with 501(c)(3) organizations and initiatives tailored to veterans' needs, Pancakes for Roger strives to make a meaningful difference in their lives.  (0:21).

Website:  https://pancakesforroger.org

Marijana Savic, the Founder and Director of Atina, and Board Director of Global Fund for Children, is this episode's guest.  Atina is a Serbia-based nonprofit that fights against human trafficking.  As Maja and Brooke discuss, not only does Atina help the transition process for trafficking victims, it also works to support the rights of women generally.  Given Maja’s decades of helping these often ignored survivors, it is not surprising that she received this year's TIP HERO (Trafficking in Persons Hero) award from the U.S. Department of State.  (0:37).

Website:  www.atina.org.rs

Maya Ajmera, founder of the Global Fund for Children (GFC), and President & CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, joins Charity Talks. GFC invests in innovative, community-based organizations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights. Founded in 1921, Society for Science is dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, access to STEM education, and promoting scientific research. It also founded and produces the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. In this episode, Maya and Brooke discuss how GFC and Society for Science are helping young people globally.  (0:24).

Websites:  https://globalfundforchildren.org/; https://www.societyforscience.org/

Dan Hubbard, the founder and Director of 4Amanda.Org, is this episode’s guest. 4Amanda is a non-profit foundation that provides emergency financial support to cancer patients.  The foundation is named for Amanda Pagans-Hubbard, Dan’s deceased wife, who with Dan set up the foundation before her passing.  As Dan and Brooke discuss, the financial challenges that coincide with cancer treatment are often as crippling as the disease.  4Amanda is dedicated to helping those cancer patients and their families with the fiscal difficulties that accompany the diagnosis and treatment.  4Amanda has only existed for a couple of years, but it has already made a huge difference in the lives of many suffering from cancer.  (0:36).

Website:  https://4amanda.org/