SPECIAL SECTION 2022 Giving Guide

from TOPS Louisville November 2022

by TOPS Magazine

How to Make Your Holiday a DISASTER!

2022

“for it is in Giving, that we receive.”

twisted pink®

With all the signifi cant events and programs of October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022 now in the rearview, Twisted Pink® turns its focus to year-end giving. “Yearend giving is especially impactful for nonprofi ts like ours, whose funds primarily go to research,” says Founder and Executive Director Caroline Johnson. Twisted Pink®’s mission is to “provide hope and connection to people living with metastatic breast cancer by funding bold breakthroughs in research and awareness of the disease.”

Twisted Pink® has funded UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center for Dr. Yoannis Imbert-Fernandez, Dr. Elizabeth Riley, and Dr. Jason Chesney, research projects at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Dr. Andrew J. Ewald’s research at Johns Hopkins University. The organization also helps metastatic breast cancer patients with information, clinical trials, support groups, and other resources. Their most recent collaboration with United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF - www.ubcf. org) mailed over 3000 Boxes of Hope to breast cancer patients and survivors across the US and Canada this year. The Hope Box contains resource information, information about Twisted Pink® and UBCF, health and beauty items, socks, and other thoughtful, useful gifts to support survivors and patients through expensive treatments following a breast cancer diagnosis. Each Box of Hope has a retail value of approximately $250 with an estimated $15 shipping and handling cost. The Twisted Pink® website offers options to gift a box, request a box, and sponsor a box. To make your year-end donation, visit twistedpink.org. Follow @twistedpinkcharity on Facebook and @twistedpinkorg on Instagram. photos by Peggy Harms Photography

twistedpink.org 502-890-2662

kids center for pediatric therapies

The 2022 BluMine™ Health Walk & Roll benefi ting Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies took place at Waterfront Park on October 22. Since 2005, over 200 participants fundraise each year, then walk and roll the one-mile ADA-accessible route in a festival atmosphere. They have fun, support each other, and spread awareness of the critical work Kids Center does to improve the lives of children with special needs. Kids Center focuses on maximizing children’s abilities through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, medical nutrition consulting, and mental and behavioral health. “We provide care regardless of their insurance provider or fi nancial situation,” says Brittany Lutke, Executive Director. “We bill through insurance, accept Medicaid, and have various resources to ensure kids get the care and equipment they need. No child is turned away.” Kids Center manages 700-900 weekly appointments and serves over 1000 children annually. From birth to age 21, young people with a variety of special needs benefi t from pediatric therapies. “We are helping them live their best life, which looks different for every child, setting milestones and advancing abilities. See the able, not the label!” Support from the community is vital, and your gift can signifi cantly impact adding more clinicians and equipment for over 400 kids on the waitlist. According to Lutke, “There are so many success stories, so no doubt we’re making an impact, helping children reach milestones that once seemed impossible.” Kids Center offers tours and events throughout the year. The end-of-year appeal for donations runs through December 31, and the annual Champions Breakfast is in February 2023. “BluMine™ Health is proud to support Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies,” says Julie Miller, BluMine™ Director of Sales & Marketing. BluMine™ Health (bluminehealth,com) offers accessible, affordable direct primary care (DPC) health services onsite or near business worksites for employers, patients, and partners in a concierge model, unconnected to insurance companies. The company believes in creating a compassionate, holistic medical environment that drives its cultural values of encouragement, care, faith, and teamwork. Easy to see how this for-profi t/nonprofi t partnership is a natural fi t making a real difference. To support Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies, visit kidscenterky.org. Follow @KidsCenterKY on Facebook and Instagram.

kidscenterky.org 502-635-6397 or 502-584-9781

american heart a ociation

The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed.

From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fi ghting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites their more than 35 million volunteers and supporters as well as the more than 2,900 employees. Their mission: To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. They want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The American Heart Association’s size and scope let them have real impact. The AHA has invested more than $5 billion in research, making it the largest not-for-profi t funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government. What does that look like? Since February 2018, there has been a 13.6% reduction in deaths from stroke and a 15.1% reduction in deaths from heart disease. Each year, 22 million people are trained in life-saving CPR. 19 million+ patients benefi t from a quality care initiative for high blood pressure. And that’s just the start. Read personal stories from the Kentuckiana Leaders of Impact later in this issue of TOPS!

Want to help make an impact? Save the date: the 2023 Louisville Heart Ball will be held in February at the Omni Louisville Hotel. To learn more, contact Emily Stevens emily.stephens@heart.org or 502-371-6025. courtesy of the American Heart Association

heart.org 877-693-6208

hildegard house

“Dignity has a home” at Hildegard House, Kentucky’s fi rst and only comfort care home. “Through the support of our community and with the help of many volunteers, we provide a home and compassionate care for individuals at the end of life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity.” In 1926, the former convent was built in historic Butchertown for the German Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, who taught at St. Joseph School. The building housed a parish daycare center from 1995 to 2010, then sat empty for four years. Palliative care nurse and Sister of Loretto Karen Cassidy brought her dream to life there in 2014, naming it for 12th-century German Benedictine abbess Saint Hildegard von Bingen, a Doctor of the Church.

The 501(c)3 charitable organization is a resource for the entire community, offering services, including meals, laundry, and housekeeping, at no cost to residents. Hildegard House hospice teams include certifi ed nursing assistants, registered nurses, a social worker, a chaplain, and volunteer Compassionate Companions providing quality care during the last three months of life. If you share their values of dignity, comfort, and sanctity of life for the dying, please consider the Compassionate Companion training program, a monetary donation, or dropping off Wish List items.

hildegardhouse.org | 502-581-8267

usa cares

For end-of-year giving, consider shifting from one-time charitable donations to investing with the USA Cares™ Cadence Monthly Giving Program. USA Cares™ veteran and family support system provides life-changing assistance programs for military families with housing, food, utilities, career training, and emergency aid. According to Communications & Marketing Manager Alexis Becker, your monthly donation will signifi cantly impact “keeping families in homes, the lights on, and food on the table.” While USA Cares™ can provide shortterm assistance, the goal is to offer long-term solutions, “not a Band-Aid, but a bridge.” USA Cares™ began with the support of WAVE-3 TV, Kroger’s Mid-South Division, and the Association of the United States Army Fort Knox Chapter to provide funds to address soldiers’ and vets’ physical, mental, and emotional issues following the surge to Iraq in 2003. The organization eventually moved to its current headquarters at 11760 Commonwealth Drive in Louisville, Kentucky. Through its Chapter Outreach program, USA Cares™ has grown to 21 established chapters in 12 states. The program aims to “get the mission out, raise funds in these communities, and ramp up in more states.” USA Cares™ holds annual events, including blanket and coat drives and a toy drive for military kids. “Veterans and military families struggling is why we do what we do,” says Becker. “Our donors are how we do it.” The vision is “stability for military families in crisis.”

The September 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report found 6.146 veteran suicide deaths in 2020. According to a recent study released September 17, the veteran suicide rate may be more than double federal offi cials’ annual reporting due to undercounting drug overdose deaths and service record errors. With preventing veteran suicide as the ultimate mission, “Everything we do is aimed at reducing that number.”

usacares.org | 1-800-773-0387

Kentuckiana of leaders impact

about the campaign:

Every year across 150 cities, community leaders step up to join Leaders of Impact in an effort to bring the work of the American Heart Association (AHA) into their communities. This 7-week blind competition is relentlessly focused on driving equitable health for all. Launching on World Heart Day, nominees across the country work to build campaign plans, recruit teams, and inspire their networks to support the AHA's life-saving mission. This year’s campaign will run through November 15 at 9 p.m. The nominee who makes the greatest impact and raises the most funds locally will be named a Leaders of Impact winner and will be celebrated at the Louisville Heart Ball on Saturday, February 25. Additionally, the nominee who raises the most funds nationwide will be named the American Heart Association 2022 National Leaders of Impact Winner. Last year, Louisville was home to the top participant in the country – Abby Mulvihill! To make a donation, visit http://www2.heart.org/LouisvilleLeaders

andrew llewellyn

Airbnb Property Investor Super Stays Short Term Rentals

“I’m passionate about the mission of the American Heart Association because of my belief in a living a heart-healthy lifestyle. However, disparities in access to care, nutrition, and healthy environments make achieving these goals far too diffi cult for far too many people. That’s why I am committed to being a part of this relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

antonio pantoja

Owner Antonio Pantoja Film and Photo

“A few months ago, I survived the widow maker heart attack. I had 100% blockage in my main artery. That might seem normal for a 75-yearold man… However, I'm 38, I don't smoke, I don't drink, I've never done any drugs, and I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm testament that traditional stereotypes of heart attack sufferers aren't always what you'd expect. My goal is to create and raise awareness that this could happen to anyone and everyone.”

autumn kidd

Director of Clinical Support Services UofL Health – Jewish Hospital

“I’m passionate about the mission of the American Heart Association because of my career in nursing, where I see the benefi t of the AHA every day. By leveraging the strengths of this organization and mobilizing leaders across our community, together we can truly make an impact and ensure that every member of our community will have the greatest opportunity to lead their best life.”

derrick palmer

Self-Employed

“The day after Thanksgiving of 2020, I woke to a sharp, almost unbearable pain in my right side. That day, I discovered that my ejection fraction (heart function) was at approximately 25%. I was able to get my heart function up to 54%, where it currently sits. Black and BIPOC communities, as well as those of us who identify as LGBTQIA+, are not always wellinformed of our susceptibility to heart related issues. That’s why I chose to become a Leader of Impact.”

elle gargala

with wife Barrett Social Media, Marketing Manager Do Not Disturb Creative Branding Agency

“My mom, Carrie, passed away from a rare genetic heart disease when I was six. She was 35. Her father passed away at 35. As I approach 35, I can’t help but be so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Leaders of Impact campaign that will help with lifesaving heart disease research, community activism, and providing others the education and tools that give hope back to those who may have lost it.”

je e rasmu en

Membership & Engagement Manager Leadership Southern Indiana

“I'm doing this for my dad, Chris Rasmussen, who I almost lost to cardiovascular disease. He lost his dad to cardiovascular disease when he was 33, and history almost repeated itself when I turned 33. One of the major things that doctors credit for my dad's survival is his nutritional knowledge and dedication to his health. That and some amazing heart surgeons are why he's still here today.”

rupika klein

Senior Cardiovascular Sales Specialist Janssen/Johnson & Johnson

“I see, fi rsthand, the work of the American Heart Association and the progress they have made in the cardiovascular fi eld. I get to work alongside Cardiologists who depend on the AHA for the newest medical advancements and innovations, so that we can spend another day with our loved ones. Without the support of companies and individuals like yourself, the AHA would not be able to continue their lifesaving work.”

Veterans Day:

elebrating The Heroes Among Us

by Heather French Henry

Some of the earliest memories of my grandfather are of he and his fellow veterans at the local VFW in Augusta, KY. He was a quiet man and rarely talked of his military service. To this day, I only have a few photos of him in his uniform. Now that he is gone, I regret not understanding his service history more and am confident that I am not alone in that regret. Each year we lose thousands of unsung heroes and each year, the echo of regret can be felt across the country by countless family members as they also try to come to grips with the realities of undocumented conversations with heroes who are no longer with us. As I get older I have come to the realization that the work I've done for the past twenty three years to recognize our veterans is partly born out of the guilt I have for not knowing my grandfather better. It is also compounded by the fact that, as the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran who came home to a largely ungrateful nation, we need to do a better job of remembering the service and sacrifice of those who serve. Each year there are a multitude of days and months that are focused on our military and – although I would argue that every day is a day to honor our veterans – their particular holiday is Veterans Day. It's just as important now as when it originated. "It's important to keep honoring our nation's veterans because if it was not for our veterans, we would not have the luxury to live freely in the safety that those who served fought to ensure," states Alex Nauert, SSgt, USMCR and Purple Heart recipient.

The history of Veterans Day actually dates back to World War I, when it was initially known as Armistice Day, marking the end of the war. The Great War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. In 1954, at the urging of major veteran service organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day.

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter ho usti ed, shall be directly proportional as to ho they perceive the veterans of earlier ars ere treated and appreciated by their nation. - President George Washington

However, the term was actually fi rst used in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947 by Raymond Weeks, a WWII veteran who had organized a parade and festivities to honor all veterans. The event was held on Armistice Day and he called it "National Veterans Day." However, even to this day, many people get the meaning confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day is different from Memorial Day in that it celebrates the service of all living U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service. Although all of the days to honor our military and their families are important, Veterans Day gives communities a chance to come together to educate younger generations about the heroes who are among them. It helps to show our younger generations that our country and its civilians honor those who swear an oath to protect and service our country, its people and our democracy. For veterans, this day symbolizes the very nature of their service. "Early on, when I came back from overseas, we walked through the doors of the hangar, and there were 500 people greeting us," remembers Cletis Evens, Commandant Marine Corps League Detachment 729. "I had to pull out my sunglasses to hide my tears, and it still has the same impact on me today." One might even suggest that in honoring our heroes, we are also strengthening the future of our defense. President George Washington once stated, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justifi ed, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." To all of our illustrious warriors out there who have served our nation, Happy Veterans Day and Thank You for your service! •

“It's important to keep honoring our nation's veterans because if it was not for our veterans, we would not have the luxury to live freely in the safety that those who served fought to ensure.”