Activism
Playing for Change
“Connecting the World through music.”
A decade ago a small group of documentary filmmakers set out with a dream to create a film rooted in the music of the streets. Not only has that dream been realized, it has blossomed into a global sensation called Playing For Change, a project including musicians of every level of renown, that has touched the lives of millions of people around the world.
While traveling the world filming and recording musicians, the crew became intimately involved with the music and people of each community they visited. Although many of these communities had limited resources and a modest standard of living, the people in them were full of generosity, warmth, and above all they were connected to each other by a common thread: music.
Out of these discoveries, the Playing For Change Foundation was born and made its mission to ensure that anyone with the desire to receive a music education would have the opportunity to do so. The Playing For Change Foundation is dedicated to the fundamental idea that peace and change are possible through the universal language of music.
Wondering what you can do to help us further our mission? Get involved or Donate
NIRS – Nuclear Information and Resource Service
2008 marked the 30th anniversary of Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS). We were founded to be the national information and networking center for citizens and environmental activists concerned about nuclear power, radioactive waste, radiation and sustainable energy issues.
We still fulfill that core function, but have expanded both programatically and geographically. We initiate large-scale organizing and public education campaigns on specific issues, such as preventing construction of new reactors, radioactive waste transportation, deregulation of radioactive materials, and more. Our international programs and affiliation with WISE (World Information Service on Energy) means that our network spans more than a dozen offices and programs across the globe.
NIRS relies on activism and contributions from citizens across the world to support our efforts for a nuclear-free planet and a sustainable energy future.
We hope you’ll help. Please join our e-mail Alert list and we’ll keep you informed about ways you can make a difference in our energy and climate future.
And please join Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, the Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, The Fray, Bob Weir, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Guster, Ed Begley, Jr., James Cromwell, Graham Nash and other well-known and lesser-known but vital NIRS supporters and contribute financially and/or with your time. NIRS is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. You can mail your contribution to NIRS, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 340, Takoma Park, MD 20912, or donate via credit card by clicking on the Donate Now link at the top of this page.
If you would like any further information about NIRS, please don’t hesitate to call 301-270-NIRS (301-270-6477); fax: 301-270-4291, or e-mail to nirsnet@nirs.org
AVAAZ – A World in Action
Avaaz is a global web movement to bring people-powered politics to decision-making everywhere.
Avaaz—meaning “voice” in several European, Middle Eastern and Asian languages—launched in 2007 with a simple democratic mission: organize citizens of all nations to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want.
The Avaaz community campaigns in 14 languages, served by a core team on 4 continents and thousands of volunteers. We take action — signing petitions, funding media campaigns and direct actions, emailing, calling and lobbying governments, and organizing “offline” protests and events — to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people inform the decisions that affect us all.
There is a Healthcare 09 Action Line- try it: 1-877-264-4226.
It is an automated system that will patch you right in to your senators’ and your representative’s offices, where you can leave a message about why health care reform must happen NOW and must happen RIGHT! Once you complete one call, just call the action line number again to get the other senator and then the representative.
Health care is a family value
A personal note on why I feel so strongly about healthcare:
My partner’s daughter, Jennifer von Beck, tragically died 5 years ago at age 23. She died when she was only 2 months pregnant from a blood clotting disorder called Factor 5, or Leiden’s disease. Blood clotting disorders are the #1 pregnancy related cause of death, and often the only symptom is sudden death.One in twenty pregnant women will develop Factor 5, yet women are rarely informed of the risk for it nor are they tested for it. Ironically, this disease is easily found by a simple blood test and is easily treatable with no risk to the fetus. If Jennifer had been informed about the risk and/or able to afford health care, she may have been diagnosed in time. However she did not have health care and was sent home without testing when she suspected something was wrong.
Of course we want to help others avoid this kind of devastating loss. There are several things you can do to help:
#1
Please, if you know anyone who is pregnant or is planning on becoming pregnant, make sure they are tested for blood clotting disorders! Again, a simple blood test may help avoid disaster.This is very serious,a matter of life or death! If we had known of this risk, we might still have Jenn and her baby.
Take Action Now
More information can be found, and contributions can be made at:
APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome) Foundation of America
#2
Did you know that Only 5% of the military budget would be enough to provide health care for everyone in our country? Why kill people elsewhere instead of saving people here at home?
Over 18,000 uninsured people in the United States alone die each year from preventable causes, and 585,000 women each year worldwide die from complications from pregnancy. Please ask your senators and congress members to stop funding military aggression and to help lead the world towards sustainable healthcare practices by implementing them in the US.
It eases our loss to know that someone else’s life,or quality of life, may be saved. Here’s to hoping and working for national and world-wide health care and the avoidance of preventable tragedy. If you’d like to make a contribution in memory of Jennifer, one place you can do so is:
Coalition of Community Health Clinics in honor of Jennifer.
The Coalition does innovative work facilitating cooperation among 13 member clinics providing care to uninsured resident in the Portland metropolitan area.
In memory of Jennifer Nichole von Beck
Born 4/23/1982
Died 1/23/2006