Give Back to the Community Through GivingTuesday

Local organizations are participating in the Global Generosity Movement – GivingTuesday.

GivingTuesday is an international initiative started in 2012 that encourages individuals to do good by giving back to their community. Over the years, the special day has been sistered to Shop Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, and this year will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd. Ultimately, individuals are encouraged to not spend their hard earned dollars buying more products and services, but are encouraged to make a donation on Tuesday. Organizations like Black Dog Animal Rescue and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation, have organized efforts to get donor dollars directed toward areas of greatest need.

Black Dog Animal Rescue (BDAR):

• BDAR has made GivingTuesday a cornerstone of their annual giving campaign. Each year, they work to raise money through online giving through online channels to provide life-saving second chances to local pets in need. This year, they are raising money for a special project, the development of a spay and neuter clinic.  Monetary gifts raised through the end of the year will be put toward this goal of providing an additional, critical service to residents of Laramie County. People can help not just by donating, but also by becoming one of their campaign ambassadors. This involves using e-mail and social media accounts to spread the word about the campaign, helping to generate additional donations. For information about BDAR’s GivingTuesday campaign and becoming an ambassador, email Kaitlin@bdar.org.

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation:

• On December 3 the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation will be raising funds through the GivingTuesday initiative to buy high-quality compression garments for local lymphedema patients who cannot afford them. Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatment and chronic vascular disease that results in painful swelling of the limbs. The condition can also lead to skin infections and often limits a person’s ability to move. Lymphedema can be successfully managed using a variety of therapy techniques, including manual lymph drainage, the use of compression garments, exercise and self-care education. Quality compression garments can cost from $200 to $1,000 apiece and often need to be replaced every six to 12 months. This cost is not covered by many private insurers, and Medicare only covers the cost when garments are needed to treat specific kinds of wounds. This lack of coverage can place significant financial stress on patients who have to choose between paying for day-to-day necessities or buying compression garments to treat their condition.

“It is so frustrating to watch a patient work so hard to reduce the size of an arm or leg affected by lymphedema, only to watch that person struggle with purchasing compression garments that are needed to sustain their hard work,” Carroll said. “This initiative will help so many local patients – including cancer survivors – take control of their lymphedema and health.”