I understand from the media that many people like to donate to charity before the year's end. The media tells me that this is because many people like tax deductions, in addition to the good feeling that comes from giving. What the media almost never tells you is how to choose a good charity. Well, the wait is over. Here at this tiny blogging arm of the media, I would be glad to tell you about one good charity that deserves your support--tax deduction or no.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consistently ranks among the top charities for amount of money that goes toward research rather than administrative or overhead costs. Founded in 1955, the work the foundation has done has helped raise life expectancies for children with cystic fibrosis to 35--before the foundation was established, most children with CF died before they even entered school.
What is cystic fibrosis? The CFF website explains it this way:
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food. The mucus also can block the bile duct in the liver, eventually causing permanent liver damage in approximately six percent of people with CF.
More than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. An individual must inherit two defective CF genes—one from each parent—to have CF. Each time two carriers conceive, there is a 25 percent chance that their child will have CF; a 50 percent chance that the child will be a carrier of the CF gene; and a 25 percent chance that the child will be a non-carrier.
I first became more aware of CF in 2001 when two friends of ours, Matt and Jen, went into preterm labor at 29 weeks after an otherwise uneventful pregnancy. After several harrowing weeks, they found out that their son, Ashton, had CF. They had no idea that they were carriers. Ashton is a gorgeous little boy who has endured so much already in his young life, and Matt and Jen have become very active in the search for a cure. That search intensified when they got pregnant again this year and found out early on in the pregnancy that their baby girl was also suffering from CF. That baby girl was born on December 20th.
Now, I know what a total wimp I am about dealing with Connery when he is sick or in pain. My whole world is upside down until he is well again. I can only marvel at Matt and Jen's strength throughout their trials.
I know it's the holidays and most of us need smaller Christmas credit card bills more than we need tax deductions, but giving to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a holiday gift that keeps on giving. If you can't afford it now, consider finding a Great Strides walk to support this spring--or organize one yourself! You can even support Ashton's parents in their Wichita walk. It's always a huge success.
Happy holidays to you and yours.