A YouTube member recently uploaded a short clip featuring an Indonesian man, Dede, who is suffering from a rare skin disease that caused root like warts to grow from all parts of his body mimicking the visual aesthetic of a tree.
While uncertain, Dede believes his disease stemmed from a cut he had gotten on his knee from an accident during his teenage years. Limited in his physical abilities and pigeonholed as an outcast in his community, Dede was forced to join a local freakshow in order to help financially support his two children.
Now 35 years of age, Dede is counting on Dr. Anthony Gaspari, an American dermatology exert from the University of Maryland to cure his condition. Dr Gaspari, became involved in the case through a Discovery Channel documentary series, “My Shocking Story” , that aims to create awareness of extreme medical conditions around the world.
After some blood work, Dr. Gaspari recently concluded that Dede’s affliction is caused by a combination of a rare genetic fault that impedes his immune system and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - - a fairly common infection that usually causes small warts to develop on sufferers.
According to an article by the Telegraph, Dr. Gaspari believes the condition can be cleared up by taking daily doses of a synthetic form of Vitamin A, which has been shown to arrest the growth of warts in severe cases of HPV. He hopes to get the necessary drugs free of charge from pharmaceutical firms.
Over the course of 3-6 months the warts should shrink in size eventually allowing for the most resilient warts to then be frozen off or surgically removed.
If you are interested in learning more about the other featured stories within the series click here .
Parade and The Case Foundation have teamed up and created “America’s Giving Challenge”, where $500,000 will be awarded to charities whose supporters have attracted the most donors to their cause by using new and innovative online tools such as blogging, email blasts, and social networking sites. The deadline for all donations is January 31st (3PM EST) and according to the rules it looks like there are two ways to participate in the challenge:
(1) Champion a cause: The eight individuals whose charity badges attract the most unique donors through the America’s Giving Challenge will get $50,000 for their cause.
(2) Give to a cause: The 100 nonprofits with the greatest number of unique donations made to them through America’s Giving Challenge will each get $1,000.
Check out the campaign website for official rules and updates on who is taking the lead. By the looks of the current statistics it looks like America has a true soft spot for furry friends…
Current Leading Charities:
(US Based Charities) 1st The 11th Hour Animal Rescue Inc 651 donations $16,095
2nd Newnan Coweta Humane Society 336 donations $6,404
3rd Saving Georgia Dogs 306 donations $7,850
(Global Causes) 1st Route out of Poverty for Cambodian Children 341 donations $9,420
2nd Invest in International Development Leaders 264 donations $7,785
3rd Educate Slum Children of Sex Workers in India 224 donations $4,511
Looking to attract traffic to your website without “burning” a hole in your pocket? This innovative website gives visitors the opportunity to pay for a piece of virtual toast with their name imprinted on it.
Each visitor that clicks on the branded piece of toast is then passed on to that person’s website. The more you pay for your toast the higher it appears in the listing. Right now the most expensive slice of toast went for $444.44.
Ready to feel all toasty inside? It looks like all money raised ($9,000 to date) will be donated to a charity and those that frequent the website can vote on who they feel that charity should be. Sounds like the best things since sliced bread…
Microsoft’s Window Live Messenger recently launched a new initiative that will donate a portion of advertising revenue to charitable causes worldwide when users start a conversation using the instant messenger program.
Simply download the software and change your settings in order to designate a preferred charity. Currently you can choose from:
American Red Cross
The Boys and Girls Club of America
Humane Society
National Aids Fund
National MS Society,
Ninemillion.org
Sierra Club
Stopglobalwarming.org
UNICEF
Susan G. Comen For The Cure.
While Good Search has been using this model for years I support the initiatives that give users the control to choose where they direct their personal contributions.
Back in 2004 the Grapple was introduced to a nationwide audience on America’s favorite TV quiz show, Jeopardy.Not many were aware of this grape flavored apple.Since then the innovative fruit has made eating them even easier by offering Grapple slices.
Recently, the US Department of Agriculture approved a grant for $124,280 (hmm, I guess they forgot how to round up) that allowed fresh fruits and vegetables to be sampled to 25 North Carolina schools of various economic backgrounds.Grapples and Pluots (plum apricots) are just two of the many non-traditional fruits that will soon be offered to students.Others include Alabama Satsumas , kumquats, starfruits, and pomegranates.
Apparently in order to be eligible for this grant at least 50% of the students needed to qualify for reduced-price meals.Hmm, if ineligible for this grant maybe school officials should start thinking of other out of the box ways to give students exposure to such exotic fruits and vegetables in order to encourage healthy eating.Something tells me that most parents would be more than willing to serve up an additional lunch allowance every now and then to give their child the opportunity to have a lunch n’ learn session during health/gym classes to taste test these fruits.Maybe instead of sending a uniform letter home they should send a pop quiz for parents asking if they know the difference between a tangerine and a Alabama Satsuma or the appropriate way to eat a Kumquat.
On March 22nd, World Water Day, participating restaurants in NYC will invite patrons to donate $1 for the tap water they usually enjoy for free.All the money raised for the Tap project will help UNICEF save lives by providing safe drinking water to children around the world.
Although the people who go to these can probably afford donating more than a buck here are some of my favorite restaurants on the list:
