AWARENOW
APRIL/MAY 2020 ISSUE 04
AWARENESS TIES™ OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR CAUSES
‘HERO’ REDEFINED
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS & INTERACTIVE VIDEOS FEATURING:
DR. JASON CAMPBELL CASEY SMITH ANNETTE DANCEL KELLY SITES NIC WAY ADAM BEVIER DR. LEEDA RASHID PHIL SWIFT DR. DELA TAGHIPOUR JOHN FURNEAUX SHARON WALSH PAVLA KOVARIKOVA AUSTIN PERINE ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS ROXANNE MIDDLETON ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS KATIE SCOTT DILAWAR SYED SIR BRUNO SERATO
“You have to decide how you are going to meet the moment.”
THE HERO EDITION Dr. Leeda Rashid, Hospital Physician, San Francisco, CA
FROM THE FRONT LINES TO THE GROCERY LINES
HONORING THE EVERYDAY HEROES OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Your Family. Your Home. Our Health Care Heroes.
Protecting them all. We are grateful and humbled to be part of the valiant effort to provide materials and labor to build life-saving Intubation boxes. Sometimes the smallest actions can lead to the biggest changes.
flexsealproducts.com
THE MIRACLE OF MORNING The Miracle of Morning by Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman / CBS
THERE ARE HEROES AMONG US.
This edition is dedicated to the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic from our front lines in hospitals to our grocery lines in supermarkets. In a series of exclusive interviews and interactive videos, their stories can be seen and heard. @madelinesmodelling_ Awareness Ties as the ‘Official
AwareNow is a monthly publication produced by Awareness Ties™ in partnership with Issuu™. Symbol of Support for Causes’, is changing the way causes are supported with a tie that raises both awareness and funds. We raise awareness with national campaigns and funds with local events and online fundraisers. 06 DR. JASON CAMPBELL PHYSICIAN, OHSU
12 CASEY SMITH FRESH MANAGER, WALMART
16 ANNETTE DANCEL OWNER, DANCEL ACADEMY
20 KELLY SITES NURSE, SAMARITAN’S PURSE
24 NIC WAY CO-FOUNDER, 365GIVE 3
AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
28 ADAM BEVIER FIREFIGHTER, TOLEDO FD
32 DR. LEEDA RASHID PHYSICIAN, ALAMEDA HS
36 PHIL SWIFT CEO, FLEX SEAL
40 DR. DELA TAGHIPOUR PHYSICIAN, JOHN HOPKINS
44 JOHN FURNEAUX CEO, HIVE
48 SHARON WALSH L.A. HEAD, PANDEMIC OF LOVE
50 PAVLA KOVARIKOVA PHYSICIAN, BULOVKA HOSPITAL
52 AUSTIN PERINE AMBASSADOR, AWARENESS TIES
64 ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS DIRECTOR & AMBASSADOR
66 KATIE SCOTT CREW MEMBER, TRADER JOE’S
70 DILAWAR SYED CEO, LUMIATA
56 ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS 74 SIR BRUNO SERATO ACTRESS, SINGER & AMBASSADOR
58 ROXANNE MIDDLETON LEATHER ARTISAN & MASK MAKER
PHILANTHROPIST & CELEBRITY CHEF
80 THANK YOU AWARENESS TIES AMBASSADORS
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We’re all tied to a cause. Awareness ties us all together. JACK & ALLIÈ McGUIRE FOUNDERS @ AWARENESS TIES OWOSSO, MI 4
AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
@AWARENESSTIES
One thing becomes very clear when you start looking for heroes. True heroes never feel they are. With countless selfless acts of hope and love driven by the will to serve others, ‘hero’ has been redefined, from the frontline in our hospitals to the grocery lines in our supermarkets and all the lines in between. We are here to tell their stories. We asked for nominations. The number of hero stories we received was unbelievable and inspiring. We were thankful to receive each one. The process of reading so many powerful stories from so many sources was overwhelming. At times, we cried. We felt sad. We felt angry. But more often than not, we felt hope. We found in each of these stories there was a common thread that tied them all together. That thread was love. It is with love and hope, we present 19 stories of 19 heroes who have gone above and beyond in the fight against COVID-19. We believe these stories are essential to help us understand the sacrifice and support these heroes have offered. With this awareness, we hope to bring insight and inspiration. Sincerely,
Jack & Allié McGuire Visit Awareness Ties
Jack & Allié McGuire
www.awarenessties.us
Founders of Awareness Ties
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Laughter and a smile is another form of medicine. JASON ‘TIKTOK DOC’ CAMPBELL RESIDENT PHYSICIAN @ OHSU PORTLAND, OR 6
AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / JASON ‘TIKTOK DOC’ CAMPBELL
@DRJCOFTHEDC @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
DR. JASON CAMPBELL RESIDENT PHYSICIAN, OHSU
As seen on Good Morning America, Fox News, VICE, Womans Day, and countless other media outlets, Jason ‘TikTok Doc’ Campbell is making headlines and breaking barriers, all while battling COVID-19 at the Oregon Health & Sciences University. If there was a doctor to unite us it is him, and the time is now. JACK: You have an incredible story to share. But before we get there, let’s start right here. Today, you are on the frontline. What can you tell us about your experience thus far. JASON: Being on the frontline of COVID has been certainly something unique and different that I know many of us will look back on in years and think back to. It’s been tough. It’s been special. It’s shown how together we are stronger. It's shown everyone how fragile life is and can be. I'm very blessed and fortunate that here in Oregon, and in Portland specifically, we've kept our numbers low with staying at home with isolation, washing hands, social distancing, and all the things that our governor and our health officials have been preaching. So, to my Oregonians, I’m proud of you. I am very blessed and happy to serve as a physician during COVID-19.
MEET JASON THE IMAGE OF A DOCTOR ISN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE
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JACK: Jason, you have became an instant hero and mentor for so many. For those who don’t know where your story began, would you mind bringing everyone up to speed? JASON: I originated from Washington DC in Northwest DC to two loving parents and my younger sister. My mother was the first African American female PhD epidemiologist in the country. My father was the first in his family (the only) to go to college and is now a lawyer. Growing up in that house was incredibly special because my parents were always there for me. My sister has always been loving. My parents came to all my sporting events, my dance events, my band concerts and everything and anything a kid could ask for. It was once said, "Jason, you have the parents that every kid deserves." I matriculated down to Emory University in Atlanta Georgia where I was a student athlete. I was a pre-medical student first and a track and field athlete second. I ran the 800 meters and the 4 by 400 meter relay, where I was able to garner All-American accolades. After Emory I spent a year doing City Year, an AmeriCorps program that is near and dear to my heart. I made a lot of great friends and dealt with a lot of challenges based on students that had never received the external motivation that they deserved - the external motivation that I had taken for granted. To work with them, to show them that they can do it and that they can achieve even more than they had ever believed was special. So, I spent a year of my life dedicated to them. 8
AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / JASON ‘TIKTOK DOC’ CAMPBELL
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JASON: (continued) After that year I then went into a master's program in Physiology at Georgetown University and George Mason University, prior to applying to medical school where I ended up matriculating an attending The Ohio State University College of Medicine. The story there is that I was actually waitlisted. I was one of the first off the waitlist, but I interviewed in January of 2014 and didn't find out till May of 2014. So, patience is truly a virtue. If you want something, sometimes you do have to wait for it. I ended up leaving The Ohio State University College of Medicine as a student body president and made lifelong mentors and friends during that time. That then led me to Oregon Health and Science University where I am currently a secondyear resident in the department of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. I have wonderful co-residents CRNA colleagues and attending or staff anesthesiologist that I get to learn from and work with on the daily.
All this has led to my TikTok dances. If you know me, you know I'm always upbeat. I'm optimistic. The glass is always full in some way. It led me to start these dances to connect with the youth, especially the African American youth, to make change - to change the face of medicine in decades to come. Subsequently, the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, and we were able to utilize these dances for two reasons - to connect to the youth and to show people that self isolation can still be fun. A foot shake is an okay way to greet someone; laughter and a smile is another form of medicine.
TIKTOK DOC LIVE ON GMA
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@AWARENESSTIES
A foot shake is an okay way to greet someone. JASON ‘TIKTOK DOC’ CAMPBELL RESIDENT PHYSICIAN @ OHSU PORTLAND, OR 10 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / JASON ‘TIKTOK DOC’ CAMPBELL
@DRJCOFTHEDC @AWARENESSTIES
Honestly, I was just trying to help the community by doing the best job I could. CASEY SMITH FRESH COACH @ WALMART AURORA, CO 12 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / CASEY SMITH
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
CASEY SMITH FRESH COACH, WALMART
While there are those who complain about staying home during the pandemic, there are those who can’t stay home. They must go to work… and they do so without complaint. “My brother is a Fresh Coach at a Walmart in Aurora, CO. He has always worked hard in a very busy store and been a positive leader in a stressful environment-after the string of Walmart shootings last summer he kept everyone focused and feeling safe. On March 13th, we buried my dad, and on March 14th Casey went back to work straight in the heart of the beginning of grocery panic of the pandemic. He worked tirelessly with crowds of upset, scared customers, and tired, scared employees. Answering questions about when things would be in stock, keeping everybody calm. He is working 12+ hour days to keep the show on the road but still finds time to help my newly widowed mom out around the house, and his single mom sister. He is right in the mix of being exposed to the virus every day but works tirelessly to make things better for others, to make sure his customers' families are stocked with the things they need, and he does it with a smile and a good heart. He is such a blessing to all.” - Bridget Chavoustie
13 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / CASEY SMITH
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ALLIÉ: How do you feel about being recognized as a hero, Casey? When many couldn’t go to work, you did, in order to keep families fed. CASEY: I am so honored and speechless. Thank you so much. Honestly, I was just trying to help the community by doing my job as best as I could! I am a Fresh Coach at Walmart. I run the meat, deli, bakery, produce and dairy. I knew it would be very important to get fresh food out to the community… as much as I could. When suppliers ran out and panic buying started, I used secondary distributors and provided as much food as I possibly could while assuring people that more was coming everyday. I did whatever I could to make sure elderly, children and families would not have to go without.
14 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / CASEY SMITH
@AWARENESSTIES
I did whatever I could to make sure elderly, children and families would not have to go without. CASEY SMITH FRESH COACH @ WALMART VANCOUVER, CO 15 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / CASEY SMITH
@AWARENESSTIES
If I can get an 8-year-old to tell his mommy that today was the best day of his life, then my heart is full. ANNETTE DANCEL INSTRUCTOR/OWNER @ DANCEL’S ACADEMY OF TAE KWON DO SAN BRUNO, CA 16 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ANNETTE DANCEL
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
ANNETTE DANCEL INSTRUCTOR/OWNER, DANCEL'S ACADEMY OF TAE KWON DO Students look to their teachers and instructors for direction and guidance. As a martial arts instructor, Annette provides that and more. Her students are family and are given the comfort, love and support that every child needs and deserves, especially during these difficult times. “My sister, Annette, often puts others before herself, even more so in our current state. As a small business owner, she has a lot of families due to lost job and the inability to afford martial arts classes. In order to keep her business afloat and to remain connected to her students who she misses everyday - she has set up her school to train online. Learning new platforms and a new way to teach in a matter of days while losing more and more families has been daunting. But she is doing this to keep the normalcy of routine in place for her students and as an outlet to release frustration, anger, and confusion in an environment that is usually considered a safe place for most of her students. Her students are her pride and joy. She has worked tirelessly to keep everything moving while also motivating her parents of her students to keep it positive and moving forward. I am in awe of her everyday of the care, compassion, empathy and love she shows.” - Audrey Vandenbroeck
DATKD DEMO @ WARRIORS HALFTIME TEAM’S FOURTH APPEARANCE AT THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ORACLE ARENA
17 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ANNETTE DANCEL
@AWARENESSTIES
On Saturday, May 9, the Yee family received a special surprise when families from the Dancel’s Academy of Tae Kwon Do gave them a ‘DRIVE BY HI’ with instructor Annette Dancel who provided them a PAID IN FULL invoice, covering their son Austin’s training at no charge. Austin is a 1st Degree Brown Belt who has been training with Annette for 3 years now. His sister, Adeline, has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. During this difficult time with COVID-19, between home schooling and hospital visits, life has been difficult. “I am truly grateful and blessed that this family, in all their business, texted me and asked how they can get their tuition payment to me… I told them I’d come by today. I handed them an invoice already marked PAID IN FULL for as long as Austin wants to train - for Black Belt and beyond I hope. And when Adeline is strong and ready, she will have an invoice that reads the same. I may not have much, but I’ll give what I have.. and if I can get an 8-year-old to tell his mommy that today was the best day of his life, then my heart is full.” - Annette Dancel
“Austin said out of the blue, ‘Today’s the best day of my life… being surprised by the whole DATKD family!’ It melted my heart.” - Mrs. Yee 18 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ANNETTE DANCEL
@AWARENESSTIES
In order to keep her business afloat and to remain connected to her students who she misses everyday she has set up her school to train online. AUDREY VANDENBROECK ANNETTE’S SISTER PALO ALTO, CA 19 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ANNETTE DANCEL
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We are their family as we care for them and love them. KELLY SITES DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE NURSE @ SAMARITAN’S PURSE CREMONA, ITALY
@KELLYMSITES
20 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KELLY SITES
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
KELLY SITES
DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE NURSE, SAMARITAN’S PURSE When you meet someone who doesn’t define our humanity but embodies what our humanity should be, you may have just been lucky enough to have met Nurse Kelly Sites. Please be prepared. The words of grace and generosity that follow will most likely bring you to tears with new perspective and hope. ALLIÉ: You’ve seen so much, Kelly. From Ebola to Cholera, you’ve treated diseases all around the world to serve those in need. I imagine you have so many stories. What story can you share about your most recent experience with COVID-19? KELLY: I've been a Disaster Assistance Response Nurse with Samaritan's Purse for 10 years. I have served four times in Africa for the Ebola outbreak, Bangladesh for Diphtheria, Haiti for Cholera, Iraq, Phillipines, Vanuatu, and many other places for different disasters. Most recently I served in Cremona, Italy for a month. I served in a 68 bed field hospital that became a respiratory care unit, where we have cared for over 250 COVID patients to date. I'm passionate about keeping the spotlight on the patients who are isolated and feel alone and afraid. We are the bridge to the outside world. We are their family as we care for them, and love them. We hold their hands as we tell them their husband just died of COVID. We wipe their tears. We celebrate when they are finally able to come off of their ventilator and breathe on their own. We cheer when they are strong enough to walk out of the doors of the field hospital. It's emotional to see physicians, nurses, lab techs, x-ray and techs pour their hearts into their patients. They wear the marks of the mask and PPE as their badge of honor. They put it on again and again and again. Day after day. Armed with grace, mercy and love to care for patients. We wear 2 pairs of gloves, a tight-fitting mask that makes it hard to breathe, and that leaves a bruise on the bridge of our nose, and marks where the straps cut into our faces. A face shield, heavy, hot boots, a hair net, and gown. Yet, we press on for 12 hour shifts, for a month straight, being mindful that our patients need us, and we need them. We need to be part of the solution. We know the need is there, so we can't look away and pretend we don't see. So we face our fear, face the long day ahead. We hear the sirens of the Italian ambulances all day and all night. Each one carries another victim of the silent killer. We pause to pray. The world stands together during this time. The virus exposes more than we could have ever thought. It exposes people with hearts to help, or hearts to hurt. We can all do something to make a difference and make things better. We sit in the tension of gratitude and sorrow. Gratitude that we have the opportunity to help use our medical skills to save lives and bring dignity and compassion. And the sorrow of the patients we lost to this virus. They matter. They aren't just a statistic of the casualty of COVID-19. They are wives, husbands, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, aunts. They were loved and won't be forgotten. We had the blessing of holding their hands and loving them.
21 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KELLY SITES
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‘UNTITLED’ ALEKSANDAR PASARIC @APASARIC_PHOTOGRAPHY
22 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
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To the world, you are just one person, but to one person you are the world. NIC WAY CO-FOUNDER @ 365GIVE VANCOUVER, BC 24 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / NIC WAY
@365GIVE.CA @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
NIC WAY
CO-FOUNDER, 365GIVE This is a story about a 12-year-old named Nic Way. It’s a story about his Forever Mother, Jacqueline Way. This is a story about 30,000 small acts of giving that took place in a single day to prove what is possible, even in a pandemic. Heroes don’t always wear a red cape. Sometimes you don’t even know you’re a hero until you touch one person to inspire a world of change. The ripple effect of giving is so contagious it only takes one to get it going. This young #COVID19 hero doesn’t even know he’s a hero but has inspired the world since he was 3 years old because he touched one – his Mother. His name is Nic Way, and today at the age of 12 he has inspired thousands – maybe millions (the ripple effect of giving can never be counted) to create positive change in the world and increase happiness of people globally. On September 29, 2007 Nic was born into a world that most will never experience. His birth mother and father made a choice out of love to give Nic up for adoption. He went into foster care for the first 11 weeks of his life until his “forever family” was chosen for him. He was easy, calm and the light of his Foster Mother’s eye. He never knew he was born to inspire so many and it all started with just one. Great change has historically started with just one person. On December 10, 2007 Nic met his forever family for the first time. His mother, Jacqueline Way held him in his arms and whispered in his ear – “I've been waiting for you and will love you forever.” That was the beginning of the two of them taking a journey together that would change the world. His Forever Mother had one clear vision for her new son. To grow a kind, compassionate, happy child. Not an easy task in a world filled with bad news every day. On Nic’s 3rd birthday his Mom decided it was time to plant those seeds of compassion and happiness and started a personal parenting project with him that would take them down a path neither of them ever expected. They made a commitment together to do one thing to give back to the world every day for 365 days. They called it 365give. What they didn’t know is how their little family project would inspire people all over the world. Their daily giving was simple and easy. Simple enough for a 3-year-old. They gave back to animals, people and the planet in small ways every day. They shared their stories with friends and family in the form of a blog and soon people all over the world started reading their stories and were inspired to give - because of Nic. Their giving became a daily habit just like brushing their teeth and made them happy every day.
25 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / NIC WAY
@AWARENESSTIES
He inspired something in his Mom that would grow into a global giving movement that today has inspired millions of people to understand how easy giving can be and how it truly makes you happy. Right now, during COVID-19, the world needs more us all to come together to give, and to focus on happiness to reduce the fear and anxiety that so many are feeling. Did you know that giving creates feelings of happiness in your brain and body? We call it your “Daily DOSE of Happiness”. With each small act of giving, or even witnessing someone else giving, you stimulate parts of your body that give you the feelings of happiness. Researchers have called it “The Helper’s High.” It’s a chemical reaction that starts in our hearts and brains. It also reduces cortisol, our stress response, which in turns helps increase your immune system. When you turn on your DOSE of happiness, these hormones all increase and effect your body: Dopamine: Our reward center, that natural high feeling Oxytocin: Love or hug hormone Serotonin: Happy hormone that increases the feeling of happiness and wellbeing Endorphins: Nature’s natural pain killer that reduces discomfort Video By: Brian Shulman
#DO1GIVE DAY SOCIAL DISTANCING TO SOCIAL GOOD
26 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / NIC WAY
@AWARENESSTIES
JACQUELINE WAY CO-FOUNDER @ 365GIVE VANCOUVER, BC
What the world needs during COVID-19 is a daily DOSE of happiness. It was time to take social distancing and turn it into social good in a way that was possible for everyone. As the world shut down and people isolated, Nic’s Mom, and volunteer Executive Director of 365give, knew it was time to bring the world together more than ever before. It would be easy to hide in our home, but instead 365give took to social media to bring people together for one big day of giving. #Do1Give Day. A campaign named by Nic just 2 years ago was going to bring the world together during COVID-19. If there was anything they had learned since starting 365give, it was that one person could inspire another and the stories of giving created a ripple that would continue to spread further than they would ever know. It was time to change the news for just one day as a reminder that we could all be the change the world needs right now. On April 15th, with the help from volunteers all over the world, #Do1Give Day stories started popping up on social media from families, individuals, schools (online) and community groups that spanned the globe. In just one day 30,000 small acts of giving from 40 countries made a big positive impact that will ripple long after our “shut down” world reopens. The everyday #COVID hero came out in everyone, and it all started with just one. One little 3-year-old boy and his Mom. It’s never about just one person being an everyday hero, but about each and every one of us coming together to be the everyday hero in our own lives. #Do1Give Day didn’t raise millions of dollars with featured celebrities. It wasn’t about changing the whole world. It was all about how 365give started. Just one little life inspiring the world of difference. One give, one day at a time. 27 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / NIC WAY
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Thank you for including me in this, but I’m just doing my job. Being considered a “hero” by my daughter is reward enough. ADAM BEVIER FIREFIGHTER @ TOLEDO FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLEDO, OH 28 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ADAM BEVIER
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
ADAM BEVIER
FIREFIGHTER, TOLEDO FIRE DEPARTMENT Adam Bevier is a member of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department. Each year they respond to over 60,000 calls for emergency service including fire, hazardous materials incidents, water rescue, confined space rescue, and homeland security. ALLIÈ: Your daughter nominated you as a hero - her hero. Please tell us your story in your own words, Adam. As a fire fighter at the Toledo Fire Department, what details can you share? ADAM: I don’t really know what details you’re looking for, but I am extremely proud of the work ALL first responders, health workers, essential, and (unfortunately) non-essential workers are doing in these unprecedented times. Most everyone in these positions are doing their part. I am encouraged daily by those that are on the “front lines”. I mentioned before that I am thankful that I am able to do what I do. As a FF, we are on the “front lines”. Going into these homes, we never know what we are going to encounter. We have come to the mutual agreement that we need to always be prepared. We’ve been on calls where our dispatchers may not be given all the details so we walk into a house unprepared. We have been very fluid at Toledo Fire as I’m sure many other departments have been, as well. We may have to leave the premise for a minute to go get more prepared with full body protection. When this happens, we go back to the station, change clothes, shower, wash our clothes, decon the rigs, and get back to work. I believe we (all of us that signed up for this) were made for situations like these. On the Toledo Fire Department, we are in constant contact with one another to navigate this pandemic together. We understand that everything may not be perfect, but we LEARN daily. I can not say enough about how encouraged I am by all the other Heros that have been highlighted by Awareness Ties. Each and every one has made a very hard choice to continue in the face of adversity. Always thinking “outside the box” is a necessity in these times. We’re all in this together. My favorite quote is “This Too Shall Pass”. That is a quote to live by. No matter how overwhelming a situation may be, it will pass. If nothing else comes from this rambling on (lol), I want everyone to know that I am encouraged by the unselfish commitments they have made to helping others. Working day in and day out. Losing sleep to help others. Risking your health for others. These are truly everyday heroes. Please make sure to include my heartfelt gratitude to EVERYONE doing their part to keep OTHERS healthy and safe. Thank you for including me in this, but I’m just doing my job. Being considered a “Hero” by my daughter is reward enough. Thank you for all you do in recognizing heroes during this time and highlighting heroes in all aspects of life, not just during this pandemic.
29 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ADAM BEVIER
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‘COVID-19’ ADAM NIESCIORUK @ADAMSKY1973
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@AWARENESSTIES
BE A HERO FOR SOMEONE ELSE. SELECT YOUR CAUSE. SHARE YOUR SELFIE. SUBMIT YOUR STORY.
LET OTHERS KNOW THEY AREN’T ALONE. WE’RE ALL TIED TO A CAUSE.
SUBMIT YOUR SELFIE LEARN MORE AT SELFIETOSUPPORT.COM
You have to decide how you are going to meet the moment. DR. LEEDA RASHID PHYSICIAN @ ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM ALAMEDA, CA
@SISTER_DOCS
32 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / LEEDA RASHID
@AWARENESSTIES
DR. LEEDA RASHID PHYSICIAN, ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
When expecting a child, you prepare yourself for a new reality. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, a very difficult and unexpected reality is what Dr. Leeda Rashid has had to face, as a mother to a 14-month old, a wife to an ER physician and a practicing physician herself caring for patients on a daily basis. ALLIÉ: As a hospital physician, married to an ER doctor and expecting your second little one, I can’t imagine how difficult this pandemic must be for you. I’m sure the struggle is very real. Did you ever imagine you would have to deal with something like COVID-19? LEEDA: When I finished medical school, I struggled to know that much like my patients our health system might be vulnerable. I then completed a master's in public health learning how to strengthen those systems. I never really thought I would be at a point where those worlds collided so drastically. Now as a doctor and public health expert, I find myself constantly battling between caring for my patients and caring for my community, and its especially hard when sometimes those world's diverge. For example, I've found it very hard to see sick patients, especially those that I know will not make it, die alone. I don't want them to be alone in their last days but I also don't want to risk that their families will visit and get sick themselves. I always knew being a doctor was going to be a hell of a rewarding but tough job. Right now, in this pandemic, it sometimes just seems too hard.
MEET LEEDA REALITIES AREN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
33 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / LEEDA RASHID
@AWARENESSTIES
ALLIÉ: Being pregnant isn’t easy. Pregnant during a pandemic makes it that more difficult. For expecting mothers, what advice do you have? What additional precautions should be taken? What words of comfort and confidence as an expecting mother yourself do you have to share? LEEDA: Being pregnant and working in a hospital has been incredibly emotional. Pregnancy (besides all its nausea) is supposed to be a time of such great joy and hope. And yet COVID-19 has made a lot of us moms-to-be supremely anxious. What happens if we catch the disease? Could I possibly get my unborn child sick? Can I deliver safely in a hospital? I think these are questions we grapple with because unfortunately we still don't know enough about this virus. To my moms-to-be out there, I want you to know that the scientific community is doing all it can to find these answers for you and quickly! I plan on delivering at the same hospital and with the same OB, I delivered my first with no hesitation because working in the hospital, I know firsthand how much each doctor, nurse and healthcare staff member is doing (despite risks to themselves) to be sure everyone is cared for and safe. And finally, I want to tell my moms-to-be that you still deserve ALL the joy and hope that pregnancy brings. Our littles are going to come into a world that seems a bit chaotic right now, but as we have all done in the past with millions of other women, parents and caregivers, we will bring them in with the love, strength, and hope that they deserve. Now for some practical information and tips: • Please continue to strictly follow hand hygiene, social distancing and masking rules to the degree possible. • Don't travel for a babymoon especially in light of the fact that we don't really have all of the information right now both about community spread and immunity within our own cities and certainly outside of the country. • Thankfully, right now there is no evidence that being pregnant puts you at greater risk of getting COVID-19 or developing severe disease. • The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) made recommendations that testing of pregnant women should be the priority if they are suspected of having COVID-19 or become ill. • ACOG is also recommending that you keep getting your routine prenatal care. So, it’s important to call your OB’s office and see how they are modifying visits for you. They may be doing tele-visits among other types of modifications to care for you and your baby such as buying blood pressure monitors for home, monitoring your baby's movements daily, or changing a testing schedule for your prenatal blood work. • In terms of breastfeeding, currently, the major concern is not whether it can be passed in breastmilk (though the data is still limited) but rather if a mom who is positive for coronavirus might accidentally transmit the virus through respiratory droplets. You should discuss breastfeeding as well with your OB and/or your pediatrician and see if there are safer alternatives such as pumping. 34 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / LEEDA RASHID
Our littles are going to come into a world that seems a bit chaotic… but we will bring them in with the love, strength, and hope that they deserve. DR. LEEDA RASHID PHYSICIAN @ ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM ALAMEDA, CA
@SISTER_DOCS
35 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / LEEDA RASHID
@AWARENESSTIES
The only way to get to the end of this is to get through it… together. PHIL SWIFT CEO @ FLEX SEAL WESTON, FL 36 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PHIL SWIFT
@PHILSWIFT.TV @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
PHIL SWIFT CEO, FLEX SEAL
For years, Flex Seal has been known for its sealant. Now, it’s also known for its lifesaving applications through ingenuity and generosity. ALLIÉ: We've seen McGuyver do amazing things with tape. What you are doing with OrthoSpine Partners far exceeds all that. Did you ever imagine that your tape would save lives? With your product serving as the sealant the Intubation Box, it will do just that. PHIL: It’s been absolutely incredible to see so many people come together to donate their time and resources. This device helps to protect healthcare heroes in the field. So, when Orthospine Partners reached out to us, there was no doubt we wanted to help. I mean, how could you not? I am so grateful that we’ve been able to get these Intubation Boxes to those who desperately need them. I’m glad we (the Flex Seal Family) are able to help with funding and the donation of Flex Tape, as well as the manpower to help assemble and locally distribute as many boxes as we possibly can. To date I think there are over 330 boxes in use right now. But please understand, we’re not the heroes. The real heroes are all the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers on the front line fighting this pandemic.
FLEX SEAL INTUBATION BOXES CONSTRUCTING FOR COVID
37 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PHIL SWIFT
@AWARENESSTIES
ALLIÉ: How did the Intubation Box project between Flex Seal and OrthoSpine Partners begin? PHIL: It all started with Dr. Benjamin Reeser, an ER doctor in Arizona. He told us his hospital staff was using clear garbage bags to protect themselves from the viral matter thrown up during the intubation process. Dr. Reeser discovered that a Taiwanese doctor that had pioneered a design for a clear Acrylic box that sits over the head and shoulders of a patient during the process. Dr. Reeser immediately began building them for his staff and also built a website for hospitals to request the boxes at no cost. Dr. Reeser is one amazing guy. Anyway, Dr. Reeser met Mike Adams from Orthospine and with Mike onboard, they were able to find a local manufacturer that would help with the funding, shipping and packaging. Mike said he had a friend who knew about the sealing power of our Flex Tape, and then it all took off from there. We knew time was critical and had to get the boxes into the hands of healthcare workers as quickly as possible. Again, these are the people that are the REAL heroes.
ALLIÉ: Phil, your efforts and generosity are inspiring. You are using an everyday product to support our everyday heroes. What advice would you have for everyday people looking to help during this pandemic? PHIL: The obvious… stay at home and if you must go out always practice social distancing. We all must work together to flatten the curve and find solutions for the challenges we’re facing as a community, country and world. The only way to get to the end of this is to get through it, and we have to do that together. 38 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PHIL SWIFT
@AWARENESSTIES
Flex Seal is defining the term ‘corporate hero’ with their actions. Through funding, manpower and donation of Flex Tape®, they’re helping to create life-saving personal protective equipment with over 300 Intubation Boxes built and distributed both locally and nationally. They also donated Flex Tape for the construction of temporary COVID-19 Alternate Care Facility (ACF) tents in Westchester, NY.
“We were struggling to find a product to secure cloth fabric that provided flexibility and an airtight seal. We tried spray foam and a few other materials, but nothing worked. A team member brought a roll of Flex Tape from home, and it did the job. I placed an order for Flex Tape on their website and was quickly contacted by the Flex Seal team who offered to comp and expedite the order. Flex Tape held its place through a nor’easter, with winds that got up to 50 mph, leaving the tents damage free.” Christopher J. Frank P.E. Project Engineer, Haugland Group NY-based firm that constructed the ACF 39 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PHIL SWIFT
@AWARENESSTIES
We became advocates of accuracy and champions of our colleagues on the front lines. DR. DELA TAGHIPOUR PHYSICIAN @ JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD 40 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DELA TAGHIPOUR
@DRDELATAGHIPOUR @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
DR. DELA TAGHIPOUR PHYSICIAN, JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
There are physicians who use knowledge to serve their patients with care. There are others who use knowledge to serve the public with information. Then there are physicians who do both. Dr. Dela Taghipour is a brilliant and bold example of the latter. JACK: From saving individual patients with your hands, to saving thousands of lives with your work and your words, Dela, you are a hero whose fought on multiple fronts. Did you ever imagine your career would call you to serve this way? DELA: If someone told me I would end up as public health doctor for the ABC News Medical Unit in New York City at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic‌ well, I would have never believed them. See, a few years ago I wasn’t sure I would live long enough to be here at all. Back then I was living my dream as a surgical resident at Howard University when the world collapsed around me. A heart condition called AVNRT with dysautonomia meant my intermittent 268 bpm heart rate was causing me to get syncopal (blackout) several times a day, have crushing chest pain, feel exhausted and have problems with my memory. Not an ideal situation for a surgeon. Eventually, I had a cardiac ablation (burning my heart to slow it down). The procedure was on a Thursday, I was back to senior resident on the trauma service by Monday, but also back to blacking out by Tuesday night. Luckily my brother came over to and found me on the ground in my apartment. The procedure failed, and the pericarditis (inflammation around my heart) meant I had to wait a few months before the next attempt. I survived the wait, but only barely. After the second procedure my kidneys starting failing, I had anasarca (30 lbs of head to toe swelling), cerebral edema (brain swelling), memory loss, trouble speaking in full sentences, and much more. I was shipped around to specialists in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and even Cleveland. Eventually, pivoting away from a life in surgery seemed like the only option. Despite finishing five out of seven years of residency, I walked away. It was singularly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I took a leap of faith and transitioned to a preventive medicine residency at Johns Hopkins. Along with the MPH and MBA I got from Hopkins during that period, I decided to embrace my journey. Through the program, I got to run a wound clinic in Malawi with an organization called Villages in Partnership, to petition the FDA to reschedule tramadol with Public Citizen, to care for a refugee population at the Alexandria Health Department, to advocate and work on health policy with Maryland State Senator Lam, and now to impact health media with the ABC News Medical Unit. I arrived in New York on March 1st, the same day as the first case of COVID-19 in the City. I witnessed the heartbreaking climb of COVID-19 cases and deaths turning NYC to the epicenter in the US and the world. I walked the streets as they went from bustling to desolate, and the mood went from animated to cautious. As hospital tents and floating ships became normal places to treat patients, and an influx of ventilators, masks and even healthcare workers entered the City to help with the devastation. The handful of us in the Medical Unit were reviewing what seemed like 24-hour a day coverage of coronavirus on the network. We edited scripts for TV programs, we fact-checked articles, we summarized and analyzed the rest
41 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DELA TAGHIPOUR
@AWARENESSTIES
DELA: (continued) latest research about COVID-19, we wrote medical minutes to be featured on shows and launched into the role of medical journalists as we interviewed doctors, scientists, and politicians for our own written pieces. We became the official Coronavirus Command Center for Good Morning America and 20/20 and contributed to ABC Radio and the ABC On Location show. It was humbling and thrilling and exhausting. We learned immediately the overwhelming power of words. How every single word in a script or response could impact what millions of viewers heard and read. It was so humbling to have seasoned veterans of media trust us with their work, and ultimately with ABC’s stance. I have never imagined such a great honor, and trust me, we lost plenty of sleep over it. We became advocates of accuracy and champions of our colleagues on the front lines. We did everything in our power to add to the truth and experience of what people were facing. Today, with my ‘virtual’ graduation from Hopkins, I feel like I have found my place in the world again. The heart condition that I thought took my life away, gave me life again. It took everything to happen at every stage to get me here. I am so grateful for the journey, for the gift of starting again. As I wait for my post-NYC quarantine to end so I can rejoin the front lines at Hopkins, I wonder, maybe everything really does happen for a reason. I sure think so.
MEET DELA TALKS WITH YOUR DOCTOR AREN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
42 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DELA TAGHIPOUR
@AWARENESSTIES
We did everything in our power to add to the truth and experience of what people were facing. DR. DELA TAGHIPOUR PHYSICIAN @ JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD 43 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DELA TAGHIPOUR
@DRDELATAGHIPOUR @AWARENESSTIES
We’re all human and want to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. JOHN FURNEAUX CEO @ HIVE NEW YORK, NY 44 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / JOHN FURNEAUX
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
JOHN FURNEAUX CEO, HIVE
Hive provides a technology platform for being part of something bigger than ourselves - not just in terms of productivity but in philanthropy as well. JACK: So, Hive is on a mission to improve workplace productivity. But when COVID-19 arrived, there was a pivot - not only is your mission to improve productivity in the workplace, but also to improve safety on the front line. What is the ‘1M Masks' about? JOHN: Once we heard about it, we knew we wanted to donate to NewsCred’s 1M Masks initiative. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shafqat Islam, CEO of NewsCred, started a grassroots,volunteer-based initiative called 1M MASKS. The goal of 1M Masks is to get one million free masks – both KN95 and surgical masks – into the hands of front line healthcare workers in New York City. With the launch of the 1M Masks website , healthcare workers and hospital employees can order PPE free of charge, with guaranteed immediate shipping. As of today, they have shipped 280,000 masks to hospitals, clinics and correctional facilities, with donations totaling$490,000.We asked employees to donate and agreed to match donations up to a certain dollar amount, as we wanted to do the best we could to support 1M Masks and healthcare workers during this difficult time. We're so thankful for everything they are doing for us, and wanted to be sure to give back. JACK: Good things come in threes but also in millions it seems. Hive participated in the ‘1M Masks' initiative and also started the 'Hive Heroes: The Million Dollar Challenge' that includes COVID-19 support but goes beyond. Please tell us about Hive Heroes. JOHN: The Hive Heroes Million Dollar Challenge is all about being an organization that makes a difference. We’re all human on this planet together, and Hive wanted to embrace that by donating $1 from every seat purchased in Hive to charities that make the world a better place.We initially started talking about this effort in 2019, but once Coronavirus happened, we wanted to pause and pivot to include COVID-19 as one of the charities we were donating to. The cool thing about Hive Heroes is that every customer will have the chance to select one of six charities that they want their donation to go to -- people can choose the charity they feel the most connected to. JACK: Making positive change in terms of millions can seem 'scary' for one company and certainly for one individual. What advice would you have for both companies and individuals looking to create positive change in these uncertain days and times? JOHN: Start small. Even if it’s just a few dollars, pitching in to start making a difference in times like these is so important. No amount is too small, and it’s your involvement that counts. Eventually,all the “small” donations will add up to a big number with big impact.For companies, I’d urge you to find organizations that people on your team feel a personal connection to. This goes back to the human component of it all -- we’re all human and want to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. 45 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / JOHN FURNEAUX
@AWARENESSTIES
‘MONA LISA WITH FACE MASK’ COTTONBRO @COTTONBRO
46 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
@AWARENESSTIES
Because of you, the show will go on. Thank you healthcare heroes.
We have now matched almost 60,000 individuals and families. SHARON WALSH LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY HEAD, PANDEMIC OF LOVE MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 48 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SHARON WALSH
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
SHARON WALSH
LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY HEAD, PANDEMIC OF LOVE Perhaps to overcome one pandemic, you need another one… Here enters ‘Pandemic of Love’. Meet an ‘ambassador of amore’ who walks the walk and talks the talk to help heal others with love and generosity. JACK: So many are searching for ways they can help during this pandemic. You found Pandemic of Love. As a result, you have helped thousands upon thousands of people in need. How did you first get involved? SHARON: I was sitting outside with my husband racking my brain trying to figure out what I could do to help as the pandemic started spreading across the US. My heart was shattered thinking about all the families out there struggling to pay for groceries or utilities or vital medicine. I had no idea where to find the people who were the most in need. Then I saw a post from a woman named Shelly Tygielski. She had created a movement called Pandemic of Love, helping people who need help and people who are fortunate to be able to give help find each other through an application process. I reached out to Shelly asking how I could get involved. She immediately responded and added me to her national website to head the community of people looking to be matched in Los Angeles. This idea was so simple but something that could be incredibly impactful to so many. I immediately began going through applications and matching people while trying to figure out how to expand my reach to get the word out there. I had more people in need than ones who could help, so I found myself sending money to those who needed it, just to help them get by until I could find them a match. We are so grateful for the influencers with bigger followings who have shared and I’m thrilled to say we have now matched almost 60,000 individuals and families. There is still more to do during this time, but it’s been so inspiring being a part of this community filled with so much love and support and people who are showing up for each other when they need it the most.
49 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SHARON WALSH
@AWARENESSTIES
The beginnings of the pandemic were rough. PAVLA KOVARIKOVA PHYSICIAN @ BULOVKA HOSPITAL
 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 50 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PAVLA KOVARIKOVA
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
PAVLA KOVARIKOVA PHYSICIAN, BULOVKA HOSPITAL
Bulovka Hospital is a large teaching hospital complex in Prague, situated on a hillock adjoining the White Rock in Prague 8 - Libeň near the defunct homestead of Bulovka. This is where we found Palva. This is where she’s saving lives as a doctor… as a hero. ALLIÈ: As a junior doctor working in the ICU of the biggest infectious diseases department in the Czech Republic, you see the worst of the worst cases of COVID-19. I can only imagine how hard it’s been. Please tell us about your experience and about what gives you hope. PAVLA: I started to get excited by the little things - my patients needing a little less oxygen or their lab results getting a bit better that day. Apart from working in the ICU I try to take a few night shifts in the outpatient part of our clinic. The beginnings of the pandemic were rough, with people riled up by the news and media, panicking, anxious, coming at all times of day and night to get tested even though they were healthy and abusing the time energy we could have been using to help the ones actually needing it. But after the initial panic, the general public came together (figuratively, as it's illegal to do so literally) to send us food and coffee, bake for us, to shop for their elderly neighbors, sew face masks. The response has been so touching. As long as there are people like these, we will be alright.
51 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / PAVLA KOVARIKOVA
@AWARENESSTIES
Don’t forget to show love. AUSTIN PERINE OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS @ AWARENESS TIES HOOVER, AL 52 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / AUSTIN PERINE
@PRESIDENTAUSTINSHOWLOVE @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
AUSTIN PERINE
AMBASSADOR FOR HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS, AWARENESS TIES From feeding First Responders, to partnering to provide meals to kids in poverty to creating a workout program for kids at home during this pandemic, President Austin Perine is a hero we are honored to recognize for going above and beyond to serve others. JACK: While not in school due to the pandemic, Austin’s been making good use of his time. Can you fill us in on what he’s been up to? TJ (AUSTIN’S FATHER): A lot.. We partnered with Church’s Chicken to give away 50 meals to First Responders at the UAB Medical Center West in Hoover, AL. Austin also found an organization called Mary’s Meals who feeds over 1.6 million kids in poverty every day in 19 countries. We are working on media content that will allow a partner of Mary’s meals to donate $21 to a child for every person that signs up for our email updates. (If a person texts SHOWLOVE to 29237, with no cost involved $21 is automatically funded.) Beyond all this, Austin is inspiring people by using his talents to create uplifting content online everyday. He’s done a song entitled ‘Stay Home’, created a home workout series, and even tested his skills as an Anchorman for Some Good News.
#SOMEGOODNEWS W/AUSTIN AUSTIN SHARES GOOD NEWS IN DARK TIMES
53 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / AUSTIN PERINE
@AWARENESSTIES
Austin Perine is a Superhero and Homeless advocate also known as 'President Austin'. His quest to help the homeless started when he put on his cape and used his toy money to buy food for those in need in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. His appearance on Steve Hartman's "On the Road" for CBS News raised the awareness of the homeless crisis in America and demonstrated how a child’s simple message of SHOWING LOVE can change the world. Austin has since traveled the country feeding the homeless and continues to spread his message of helping others and across multiple platforms ranging from the United States, France, Spain, and Africa. Austin is also one of the youngest people ever to receive the 'SPEAR' community award from the Vulcan Park Foundation in Birmingham (a very high honor), and was named one of the five most inspiring heroes from CNN's "Impact Your World" series. Austin continues to work hard to help the homeless and hopes one day to become President of the United States. 54 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / AUSTIN PERINE
@AWARENESSTIES
President Austin is performing his debut single in the midst of a global pandemic. COVID-19 has changed the school routine for over 100 Million kids in the United States alone. In the video below, find inspiration and hope for our future. Austin sings about good hygiene, social distancing, and the stay home order that is in place to flatten the coronavirus curve.
You can keep up with Austin at PresidentAustin.net
STAY HOME #WITHME AUSTIN SHARES HIS DEBUT SINGLE
55 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / AUSTIN PERINE
@AWARENESSTIES
I want to help people know they are not alone. ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS ACTRESS, SINGER & OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR SUICIDE AWARENESS LOS ANGELES, CA 56 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS
@ISABELLA_B_T @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS
ACTRESS, SINGER & AMBASSADOR FOR SUICIDE AWARENESS, AWARENESS TIES In a time of great uncertainty, to feel connected for certain through the personal COVID confession of Isabella Blake-Thomas, is a great gift to receive. JACK: As a young, talented actress and singer, Isabella, what story can you share with young generations that is trying to find their way through this pandemic? What is important for them to know? ISABELLA: I would have been graduating right now. Four years of school culminating in this moment. As an actress I am homeschooled so this isn’t affecting me in the same way that it is lots of other young people. They are missing out on proms, graduations, birthday parties, gap years, results day, final exams. These issues might not seem as important as our physical health, but this pandemic is detrimental to many people’s mental health. The silent sufferers who aren’t even aware how this is affecting them to the ones that are open about their depression. Everyone is having to re-navigate what they had planned or how they saw their future. It’s important to me to be a sounding board for the younger generations. I want people to understand that’s it’s ok to feel a loss, that every emotion that they feel is real and important to that individual. Nothing is “silly” and everyone should be allowed to go through their own process. Whether through movies, like my suicide awareness film "Sand Angels", my music, or just through any human connection, I want to help people know they are not alone. If I can help in some way by giving people hope then I’m doing my job.
CORONAVIRUS + MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TIES PSA WITH ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS
57 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ISABELLA BLAKE-THOMAS
@AWARENESSTIES
This time we sew for our lives and others. ROXANNE MIDDLETON LEATHER ARTISAN NEWAYGO, MI 58 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ROXANNE MIDDLETON
@AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
ROXANNE MIDDLETON LEATHER ARTISAN
Super heroes sew? Yes, they do. This one actually works with leather primarily, but she’ll stitch when the occasion calls for it. And with COVID-19, there were literally calls. So many calls in fact that Roxanne set up her own make-shift mask factory to serve those in need. ALLIÉ: From my small hometown of Newaygo, MI, I found you - a hero, Roxanne. You’re not a seamstress by trade. Rather, leather working is your passion. Please share the story of how a leather artisan became a mask-making hero to the frontline with over 4,000 masks sewn & donated. ROXANNE: I teach leather arts to special needs children and adults, homeschool children, and veterans, at Newaygo County Museum; I work and teach at a boutique in Newaygo, MI called Market41, and offer open classes and golden arts at NCCAARTSPLACE in Fremont, MI, and every second Saturday at Tandy leather Co, Grand Rapids, MI. So, first COVID-19 closed groups (my open classes). Then they closed schools (all my homeschool children). Then we closed retail small businesses. No more work, no more classes. The next morning I was talking to my step daughter and she was telling me of the shortages of masks and safety gear. One toss away procedure mask per week! Yes, that's right per week. I was appalled, disgusted, mad and disappointed. After I hung up the phone, a mask pattern popped up on my Facebook timeline for the CDC highlights of the COVID-19 virus symptoms, and how to protect yourself and others. So, I sent to my email and printed the pattern. I then had to find my home sewing machine. Remember, I'm a leather worker. Is it in a red case or a white case? Cotton fabric. Where would my cotton fabric be? So much leather. Called my Mom. Told her to get all the cotton fabric she could find. And it begins...
59 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ROXANNE MIDDLETON
@AWARENESSTIES
My sewing talent runs in the family, my Mom sews, my grandmother did, my Aunts. But, this time, we sew for our lives and others. I cut and sewed the first day. Made about 10 or 12. The next day I had my husband make a wood pattern so I could cut twice as many out to sew. I knew if I could do 10 a day, I could do 20. I found my serger machine to do all the raw edges to save the mask from daily washing. The next day I did 40. I knew I could do 80 or 100 with help. So I called my business partner, Nancy Markosky in Middleton Markosky Designs, and said you can cut these out. Then I called my assistant and art instructor in my homeschool class, Roxanne Markosky. I told her that her vacation was done! Find your Mom's serger and bingo! We just started a remote factory. So, Nancy cuts all the pieces and parts then gives to Roxanne to serge all the parts. Then parts are given to myself to sew together - sew nose bridge casing, sew on hair ties, bag and ship. Every day brought more and more requests for masks. The emails came in. The texts and the Facebook messages came in faster than I could read them. I created a list of requests for masks by the 100's, including CNAs, nurses, family, friends, first responders, front line workers, factory workers, day care workers, truck drivers, my mail carrier, my post office, the Dollar General, and grocery workers. My list was so long - pages and pages of names and addresses. It wasn't what I had intended to do during this shelter in place order. I had great intentions to do some long put off leather tooling. Possibly some remote classes with my home school kids, or adults. But, the masks made became 100 per day, then 150 per day, but the orders came in by the 100's. There was so much need, we had to sew. We hit 500 sewn. We hit 1000 sewn. Then we hit 2020 sewn. We hit 3000 sewn. We have hit 4343 sewn. And we still sew, because there is still a need. I have put my heart and soul in this mission, and will continue to give freely to our healthcare workers, first responders, and front line workers with the Olson masks my co-workers and I sew almost daily. This is how the story of how we got started.
60 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ROXANNE MIDDLETON
@AWARENESSTIES
I have put my heart and soul in this mission. I will continue to give freely to our healthcare workers, first responders, and frontline workers. We now are selling our masks in a few selected stores (Market41 in Newaygo, MI, PM Designz in Kent City, MI and Gillette's Trading Post in Grant, MI), so we can continue our mission and service our community in need. We are also taking donations for fabric, hair ties, elastic, and shipping materials and costs. Please note, I am not a super woman. I am a 64 (almost 65) year old person with a background in sewing, production factory work, and a work ethic my mother instilled in me from a very young age! It takes one person. It takes one village. It takes you. Do what you can. 61 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ROXANNE MIDDLETON
@AWARENESSTIES
‘PERSISTENCE OF CORONA’ HAYATI EVREN @HAYATININEVRENI
62
AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ROXANNE MIDDLETON
@AWARENESSTIES
RAISE FUND$ WHILE RAISING AWARENESS
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If I can help at least 350 creatives pay their bills and live, then I’m doing something right. ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS DIRECTOR, FILMMAKER & OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS LOS ANGELES, CA 64 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS
@ELIZABETH_B_T @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS DIRECTOR, FILMMAKER & AMBASSADOR FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AWARENESS TIES
What if a film project could sustain and support 350 creatives during the COVID pandemic? Guess what. It can, and it will. As this pandemic set in, a plan emerged from award-winning director, Elizabeth Blake-Thomas. Out of the ashes, rises Project Phoenix. JACK: How has COVID-19 affected Hollywood? As a director & filmmaker, tell us about your response with Project Phoenix. ELIZABETH: "I can’t afford to buy my food.” ‘I don’t know how I’ll make my rent this month.” “We are the forgotten freelancers.” These were some of the sentences that I heard when COVID hit Hollywood. Of course, the people working on the front lines are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, rightly so. However, this has affected everyone in its own way. I couldn’t sit by and see all my fellow creatives worry about the simplest of things. I had to do something. I also know that creatives don’t just want hand outs, they want to feel inspired and work for their money. This is why I came up with Project Phoenix. A pledging entity that allows indie films to be made with all freelancers getting paid a fair equal salary. Enough to support themselves. I chose not to take a salary from this fund and just to oversee the project. I hope this can be something that is maintained whether or not we are in a pandemic. It’s all the crew that are let go first on a film and they have themselves and families to support. Each Project Phoenix film is designed to begin pre-production during quarantine followed by small crews and cast to shoot during the “new normal”. If I can help at least 350 creatives pay their bills and live then I’m doing something right. For more information and to pledge to Project Phoenix: www.seedandspark.com/fund/projectphoenix
PROJECT PHOENIX A PROJECT TO SUSTAIN CREATIVES
65 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / ELIZABETH BLAKE-THOMAS
@AWARENESSTIES
The biggest adjustment at work has been the lack of closeness with customers. KATIE SCOTT CREW MEMBER @ TRADER JOE’S NEW YORK, NY 66 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KATIE SCOTT
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OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
KATIE SCOTT
CREW MEMBER, TRADER JOE'S When a normal commute and normal life in New York City suddenly become anything but normal with empty trains and desolate subways, essential workers like Katie Scott work to preserve as much normalcy for others as possible while adjusting to ‘a new normal’ on the front lines. ALLIÉ: Your ‘new normal’ is anything but normal. What has been the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make since this pandemic began? KATIE: The biggest adjustment at work has been the lack of closeness with customers. Both because of the masks and the required distance enforced by stickers on floors, it takes away what I really love about working here. It reminds you of how much you take for granted, just being able to stand and chat. It makes things more awkward. I can’t wait until the masks can come off. I can’t wait until I don’t have to feel like a club bouncer, like telling someone they have to stand away from me. I feel like I’m a parent telling their kid that they have to go to timeout or something. It’s hard when people complain about having to wear a mask when they go out. I have to wear a mask 10 hours a day with the exception of a lunch break. That said, most New Yorkers have been really good about wearing them, as they know we are operate in tight quarters unlike other areas of the country. I miss shaking hands or giving hugs. The elbow taps have become a new norm. What’s made things a bit easier at work is that anytime we see someone in scrubs, we’re allowed to give them flowers. It makes me so happy!
MEET KATIE IN EMPTY TRAINS & VACANT SUBWAYS
67 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KATIE SCOTT
@AWARENESSTIES
ALLIÉ: A crisis will bring the best and the worst out of people. Can you share an example of one of the best things you’ve seen? KATIE: From my observation at work, a lot of people, far more than ever before, are now shopping for their neighbors. I’ve seen so many examples of younger, healthier people that are out shopping for an elderly neighbor. People are starting to get to know the names of their neighbors. That’s a big deal in New York. Not only with their time are people being more generous, but also monetarily. I am a direct recipient of this. I have had 3 separate times where a customer has actually given me something. One gave me a coupon for Chick-fil-A. One bought a $25 gift card. When I went to hand it to her, she said, “Oh no. That’s for you.” Another customer came in to buy a large amount of snacks and chips to give to the homeless. As I was putting his purchases in his cart and helping him out, he said, “By the way, what do you want? Choose something. You’ve been working really hard.” So, I took the bag of white cheddar puffs. (Half of that bag turned out to be my dinner that night.) All that said, what has been the best is the noticeable uptick of people taking care of their neighbors. That’s by far been the biggest act of grace that I’ve seen while working. Hopefully when this is over, they will continue to stay connected.
COMMUTE WITH KATIE IN EMPTY TRAINS & VACANT SUBWAYS
68 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KATIE SCOTT
@AWARENESSTIES
ALLIÉ: For those at home in quarantine who are looking to serve others, what advice can you offer for being a hero at home? KATIE: Call a loved one. While commuting as much as I do, I am very aware of all the advertisements at bus stops and on subways. I’m not sure what company it is, but in 3 or 4 different languages, their ad simply says ‘Call A Loved One’. So, my advice is to do that. Call a loved one. Check in with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. You may be able to give them some needed advice. Or you may be able to get some advice yourself. Beyond that, connect with your neighbors (while safely maintaining social distancing). We won’t stay in our homes forever. So, when you come out, talk to your neighbors. Ask how you can help. And while you are out in your neighborhood, use chalk. Seeing messages of encouragement and hope on the sidewalks doesn’t take much time and it will probably make someone smile. For myself, I was inspired by my friend Ellen who decided to raise money for a local hospital to give them a nice catered hot meal. I decided to do something similar to provide snacks for the night shift healthcare workers that don’t get donations as often as the day shifters. Trader Joe’s donated $200. I went on Facebook and asked for people to pitch in with a donation via Venmo so more could be given to New York Presbyterian Hospital. I ended up raising $1,800. With so much raised and my employee discount, I was able to get 7 shopping carts full of food. That said, some went to New York Presbyterian and some went to Bellevue. It made me feel so good! I was so proud to support that way.
69 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KATIE SCOTT
@AWARENESSTIES
It’s our duty to act and serve, to help build solutions to combat the pandemic. DILAWAR SYED CEO @ LUMIATA SAN MATEO, CA 70 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DILAWAR SYED
@LUMIATA @AWARENESSTIES
OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
DILAWAR SYED CEO, LUMIATA
Leading is difficult when times are good. Leading during a crisis adds complexity that requires resilience, judgment, and creativity. In a recent interview Lumiata's CEO, Dilawar Syed, shared his thoughts on leading through the COVID-19 crisis. ALLIÉ: How are you thinking about the current health crisis? DILAWAR:
The scale and impact on public health and the economy are unprecedented. I believe for innovators and
entrepreneurs in the healthcare space, the COVID-19 pandemic is more than an opportunity. It’s a duty to act and serve and help build solutions to combat the pandemic and its impact on healthcare, and our society.
ALLIÉ: What have you seen and heard from your team that makes you concerned? Proud? DILAWAR: Team Lumiata’s energy and response to the call-to-action I made in early March makes me proud. The team has worked relentlessly to address the new needs and challenges of our customers. I think for some of our team, it is probably the first major downturn. So, I am encouraging everyone to own and respond to the challenge as a growth opportunity. I’m pleased that we have made timely decisions to protect our employees and our community even when little information was available—before there was wall-to-wall coverage on television and online. One of our most exciting efforts is the global COVID-19 AI hackathon we’re hosting. We quickly assembled the country’s leading public health leaders, scientists, academics, and investors as judges. More than 500 participants from 50 countries and 150 cities are building AI hacks to help address this global pandemic. This is what a team energized and mobilized around a mission of consequence can deliver. The solutions we’re seeing can help from diagnosis to patient management and all of the front-line heroes in healthcare.
ALLIÉ: What made you pull out of HIMSS and establish a work-from-home policy earlier than most? How did you make that decision? DILAWAR: It was not a tough call. I was worried about the team and their families’ health. We saw reports emerging about community spread all across the country. It was common-sense we pulled out even as the HIMSS organizers dragged their feet on cancellation for what now seems a very long time. Decisions like these test leadership principles. At Lumiata, these principles are guided by what’s right for our team.
71 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DILAWAR SYED
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ALLIÉ: You’ve been an advisor to President Obama and are currently leading an entrepreneurs task force for Governor Newsom. How do those experiences influence your leadership decisions during the COVID-19 health crisis? DILAWAR: A public service role gives you a broad perspective on leadership. You develop a greater sensitivity to how one decision can have a trickle-down effect on the well-being of a lot of people. You get a sense of how policy can have a broad impact. A scale many companies would never experience. Finally, you develop an appreciation for working with a diverse set of stakeholders. With the COVID-19 crisis unfolding, I knew an individual company’s action would have far-reaching consequences on entire communities. Those roles have also allowed me to nurture and embrace the ethos of service in my leadership in business. You serve every day as a CEO. I am comfortable with the awesome responsibility that comes with it. I cherish it. ALLIÉ: If you had the opportunity to share advice with other leaders as we move through this crisis, what would that be? DILAWAR: Be clear about what guides you as a leader. Having clear leadership principles allows you to navigate and make timely decisions. Know that your culture will be stress-tested in this crisis. If you manage well, lean in more, and are there for your people with genuine care, empathy, and dedication, the company and business will come out even stronger.
72 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DILAWAR SYED
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TO OUR HEROES ON THE FRONT LINES
THANK YOU
Lumiata is an Artificial Intelligence company purpose-built for the healthcare industry to manage costs and risks. We deliver solutions to meet the needs of public and private health care for today and tomorrow.
Support each other, love each other. It takes zero money to be a kind human being. SIR BRUNO SERATO PHILANTHROPIST & CELEBRITY CHEF ANAHEIM, CA 74 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR BRUNO SERATO
@SERATO7 @AWARENESSTIES
SIR BRUNO SERATO OFFICIAL HERO SELECTION
PHILANTHROPIST & CELEBRITY CHEF, CATERINA'S CLUB
Sir Bruno Serato is a celebrity chef recognized for feeding pasta to thousands of hungry kids each year though his non-profit Caterina's Club. As a chef, he’s world class, as a humanitarian, he’s a hero and inspiration to so many. ALLIÉ: A hero’s job is never done. You, Chef Bruno, know this is true. As a hero to so many, you’ve been going above and beyond for a number of years feeding children in need with both pasta and hope. Please share your story with us as there are those who question what hope there is. BRUNO: Is there hope out there? Oh, yes! Look what happened in China and Italy, my country. Finally, the virus is slowing down. We’re going to win this war, but we have to stand next to each other and support each other. These days, we can see each other on our phones -- I chat for an average of 3 hrs a day with my family and friends back home in Italy to give each other support and company during this difficult time. So many bad things are happening out there, but at the same time, lots of good things are flourishing out of this. Support each other, love each other; it takes zero money to be a kind human being. You have to fight in life; you have to have hope in life, you have to be strong in life and never give up. Caterina’s Club was founded on April 18, 2005. We started by serving 50 children per day. Fifteen years later, we’re serving 5,000 meals every single day in 30 cities and 90 locations in Southern California. Most of the children we serve are low-income children that attend Boys and Girls Clubs, churches, and other after-school programs. Among these kids, there are a lot of kids living in motels, shelters, and cars whose parents or caretakers cannot afford to pay rent or have struggled to find permanent housing because of economic insecurity. Most of these families are amazing families, but they just can’t get caught up let alone, ahead. Families living in these situations, don’t have access to a kitchen, which is the reason we started our Feeding the Kids program 15 years ago -- to feed the children in these families and avoid going to bed hungry. Why did I decide to keep serving meals during the coronavirus? As an Italian native, with my entire family and friends living throughout Italy, I was well aware of what a lockdown meant, how long it could go for, and how it would affect not only vulnerable low-income families but also middle-class families if they lost their jobs and resources such as food assistance. When the COVID 19 outbreak first hit California, I imagined the worst and thought it would be very difficult if not almost impossible for me to keep feeding hungry children, as one by one, our partners began closing down. It reminded me of when my restaurant burned down back in February 2017, and I thought to myself, “if I didn’t miss a day of feeding the kids then, I’m certainly not missing a single day one now” This coronavirus will not put me down. My initial thought was I hope they let us keep cooking pasta for the children. When the restaurant burned down three years ago, my first concern was where will I keep cooking pasta for the kids. This time, the same thought came to mind; if I could not have a way to cook for the kids, they will be hungry. Hundreds -- thousands of children out there would be hungry, and a lot of our program partners closed, but I called and beg them if they could please still serve our pasta. 75 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR BRUNO SERATO
@AWARENESSTIES
I really want to thank all of our program partners that did everything they could to remain open and let me keep serving the children. They worked hard to modify their program and maintain social distancing and did whatever they could. Had they said no and closed their doors, I wouldn’t have a way to feed the children, and many children would go to bed hungry, and no kid should go to bed hungry. I have so much respect and gratitude for those directors. Initially, many of our program partners remained open when the school closures took effect—mainly to accommodate those parents unable to take time off from work, such as first responders and essential workers. However, some program partners did close. But the need still existed and more than ever before: Upon receiving notice of closure from our program partners, I started working with the Caterina's Club office daily with every location that could stay open to ensure kids could be fed a hot pasta dinner each day. Even if a child's after-school program had closed, I immediately decided to modify the Feeding the Kids program by offering hot pasta in to-go containers and uncooked pasta for families to take home. Several program sites have closed for their regular programming and are solely opening their doors to serve our pasta, while other locations that have remained open and continue to serve our pasta, as usual, are distributing our uncooked pasta to families that cannot afford to prepare for this challenging time, or simply cannot find food staples such as pasta at grocery stores, as all the shelves are empty.
76 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR _________ BRUNO SERATO
@AWARENESSTIES
We immediately delivered to multiple locations meals upon school closures. Numerous pallets of pasta and sauce are being delivered to locations in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We are doing our best to follow government guidelines such as exercising social distancing and more. To make it easier for some clubs, I am providing no-contact delivery of pasta and sauce, leaving such on the doorstep of after-school clubs and programs and offering single-serving containers to-go for kids and their families. Although I had to close my restaurant to the public, I was able to keep cooking for the children. My restaurant took a hard hit, but I look at it as a blessing now, as I am able to concentrate on cooking and donating five times the amount of meals I was cooking before the outbreak. I didn’t feel comfortable cooking for the children while having guests come in and out of my restaurant during a pandemic. We had to change our entire operating system overnight and also had to let go of 7 of the program’s part-time kitchen staff; the staff is now my head chef, Chef Eddie, one pasta chef, and myself. We have also closed the office, let go of one office staff, and reduced the remaining three office staff personnel from 40 hours to 30 hours per week while they work remotely.
77 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR BRUNO SERATO
@AWARENESSTIES
I also started partaking in food distributions our partners were hosting, and that lead me to see the main change in the needs of our clients. The need for not only cooked meals but staples for the pantry--pasta, sauces, bread, etc. Families are also concerned and trying to prepare for the future by saving as much as they can from their unemployment and stimulus checks, as they expect a significant wage reduction even after going back to work, as they expect their place of work won't be back to normal for at least a few months. Thus, they expect their salaries, hours, tips, to be reduced significantly upon returning to work. Some even fear they will not be getting their jobs back at all. After hearing these stories and concerns, I knew I couldn’t stop serving these people, and I had to keep going for as long as I could. Although I was assisting numerous partners with their food distribution Monday - Friday, I knew it wasn’t enough, so I decided to also host our own distribution each Friday at my restaurant, The Anaheim White House restaurant to provide hot meals, pantry packs of pasta, sauce, bread, pizza, and flour. This is primarily because some of the Boys and Girls Clubs we were assisting with food reduced their distributions from two to one day a week, leaving hundreds of families without access to food on a day they were counting on. We've been hard at work to keep up with the rising demand for pasta for kids and families suffering from food insecurity due to COVID-19. We are on our fourth week hosting a distribution at The Anaheim White House providing hot meals and pantry packs of pasta, sauce, bread, pizza, grocery gift cards, and flour - serving over 450 families, totaling over 2,000+ people, each Friday. Additionally, we have teamed up with numerous local partners to assist with their weekly food distributions, providing hungry kids and families an estimated 20,000 meals per day. We are in constant communication and working closely with Club Directors and have also gained 16 new partners in the short span of only two weeks including a homeless family shelter, Orangewood Foundation, and the Magnolia School District which serves nine schools, most of which are Title 1 schools to make sure we can feed children and their families, so they do not go to bed hungry.
78 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR BRUNO SERATO
@AWARENESSTIES
Every week has been different, and the number of meals fluctuates like a rollercoaster. The first week, we served 87,552 meals, the second week, 136,928 meals, third week, 49,056, fourth week, 73,216 meals, fifth week, 64,480 meals, sixth week, 83,040 meals, seventh week, 51,520 meals, the eighth week, 20,160 meals, ninth week, 32,672, totaling to 598,624 meals. Now, I am a little nervous about running out of funds and pasta soon since we collect 109,000 lbs thanks to our KFI PastaThon event in December. PastaThon is a fundraiser KFI AM640 radio station holds for Caterina’s Club at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove with a live 15 hour KFI broadcast remotely. The event is held on the first Friday each December. This event raises between $400K and $500K. From what we are hearing, many larger events will likely be banned through the end of the calendar year, and this could greatly impact our ability to deliver the program in 2021, and it could also deplete the reserves. Feeding the Kids is heavily reliant on our annual KFI PastaThon: the 109,000 pounds of pasta and sauce donated generally lasts our program throughout the year: since the COVID 19 outbreak, we have been cooking and donating an estimated 7,000 pounds of pasta every five days. Last year, we served roughly 1,000,000 meals during the year; as of May 15th, we have served over 598,624 meals, and we anticipate another 250,000 in the next few weeks. I am thrilled to do what I do. I thank my crew that works with me, which is truly unique. This pandemic made us stronger by working together every single day more than ever. In 15 years, my crew and I never worked so much as we try to keep up with the high demand. I hope that this story gives you hope, inspiration, a clear understanding of our mission and goals for Caterina’s Club and encourages you to help those in need. Remember, no child should go to bed hungry! Let’s be strong hand-in-hand together and never give up. 79 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SIR BRUNO SERATO
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ON BEHALF OF THE AWARENESS TIES FAMILY TO ALL OUR NOMINATED AND SELECTED HEROES WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’.
Thank you for everything you are doing for not only each community but the world! You all are the real superheroes!
@TRACKBABY001 81 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / SANTIA DECK
SANTIA DECK OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR GENDER EQUALITY AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
Big thanks to our front line heroes for being out there right now so we can all stay safe at home!
@TRIBOURNE 82 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / TRI BOURNE
TRI BOURNE OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR INVISIBLE DISABILITIES AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
I’m so grateful to all the people on the frontlines risking their lives to keep essential services accessible to everyone! From the bottom of my heart thank you, thank you, thank you.
@GABRIELLE_BOURNE 83 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / GABRIELLE BOURNE
GABRIELLE BOURNE OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
In a time when all of us are being asked to stay safe, you are in harms way being asked to face the dangers of this pandemic for our benefit. You continue to stand strong for us and for that we sincerely thank you. @DEZCLARK88 84 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / DESMOND CLARK
DESMOND CLARK OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR CANCER AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
Thank you to all the courageous frontline heroes. We appreciate all that you sacrifice for us.
@CALYBEV 85 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / CALY BEVIER
CALY BEVIER OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR LGBTQ AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
Heroes don't always wear capes. In this case, they wear scrubs. Thank you for your selfless dedication to saving lives.
AJ Andrews @AJ_ANDREWS_ 86 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / AJ ANDREWS
AJ ANDREWS
OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
As a young person who had open heart surgery just over a year ago this time has been very scary for me even while isolating. When I think of all the front line workers facing this pandemic, putting their health and safety second to the sick and vulnerable, I want you to know you are my heroes and I will be eternally grateful. Without you all, we would never have survived the last 3 months.
t r a u t S e n i l e d a M
MADELINE STUART
@MADELINESMODELLING_ 87 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / MADELINE STUART
OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
While there are no words that can encompass the magnitude of appreciation and awe I have for our front line workers, I want them to know that their heroism, sacrifice, and leadership inspire me and give me hope. The fact that they are risking death to wage war with an unknown virus on behalf of strangers, on top of dealing with all of the anxiety and challenges of taking care of themselves and family, shows us the best side of humanity and goodness we should all aspire to. MARY DAVID @MISSMARYDAVID 88 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / MARY DAVID
OFFICIAL AMBASSADOR FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS @AWARENESSTIES
I want to thank all the people out there who are on the front lines, wearing masks around the clock and working tirelessly to get us through this. These people are the true superhero’s and without them, we would be in a much different place. So, đ&#x;™? THANK YOU!
KENT SPEAKMAN @KENTSPEAKMAN 89 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KENT SPEAKMAN
OFFICIAL ADVISOR @AWARENESSTIES
You have become our eyes, ears, hands and feet. When the world has felt defeat, You've continued forward whole heartedly. Inching us through this uncertainty. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication to help get us through. And for that, we honor each and everyone of you. @GOGREENDRESS 90 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / THI NGUYEN
THI NGUYEN OFFICIAL ADVISOR @AWARENESSTIES
Mere words do not seem enough, but sending so much heartfelt gratitude to our heroes for their selfless actions and compassionate deeds that give all of us so much hope. KERRY MARTIN @KERRYMAREEMARTIN 91 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION / KERRY MARTIN
OFFICIAL ADVISOR @AWARENESSTIES
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEDIA PARTNER
FOR SHARING OUR WORK ON STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE THANK YOU AND ANDREW GIVENS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
92 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
THANKS FOR HELPING US HONOR OUR HEROES 93 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
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‘AT THE HEART OF IT ALL’ AWARENESS TIES @AWARENESSTIES
94 AWARENOW / THE HERO EDITION
@AWARENESSTIES
THANK YOU. TO ALL HEROES NOMINATED, THANK YOU FOR
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SERVE OTHERS. We received so many nominations with so many inspiring stories. While only 19 are shared in this edition, all nominated heroes can be seen online along with their stories: www.awarenessties.us/hero-gallery
WE’RE ALL TIED TO A CAUSE.
WHAT’S YOURS? WWW.AWARENESSTIES.US
