In April 2006 I fell in love with my very first panda. He was the panda cub born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. named Tai Shan. From that love grew my passion for Giant Pandas and a desire to help in any way I could to help conserve and preserve these magnificent bears. And then I found Pandas International (PI). I first began interacting with PI by helping with fundraisers, panda adoptions and helping promote their events. Then, in 2010, I traveled to China with a tour group related to PI and met Suzanne Braden, the Director of PI, and saw firsthand how passionate and dedicated she is in supporting Giant Pandas in so many ways. Since then I've been back 3 more times with PI. One of the most inspiring part of PI is that Suzanne is a volunteer" Director who operates PI out of the basement of her home. Suzanne, along with 3 other hard working staff members, is able to literally move mountains in terms of getting the Giant Panda Reserves in China what they so desperately need in terms of baby formula, medical supplies, vaccines, GPS tracking collars, and so much more. I not only believe in what PI stands for and all that they accomplish but I am proud to be a volunteer doing what I can to help both PI and our magnificent Giant Pandas. Thank you PI for all of your hard work and dedication towards the conservation and preservation of our beloved bears.

Pandas International is an internationally recognized champion of the very endangered Giant Pandas. They don't just talk about what could be done but rather they identify needs and are then dedicated to making sure the needs are fulfilled through their tireless fundraising efforts and by traveling to China to help in any way possible.

I have always loved Giant Pandas but it wasn't until Tai Shan was born at the Smithsonian National Zoo and I fell in love with him and his parents that I started to learn about just how endangered Giant Pandas are. From there I learned about Pandas International and about all the great work they do and their many accomplishments. Their motto is:
"Endangered means we have time
Extinction is Forever!"

I was so inspired by their efforts that I took a trip to China, organized by Pandas International, in September 2010 to get to see them in action as well as meet a great many pandas - and of course visit Tai Shan who now lives in China. I have also gotten involved with various fundraisers to support their efforts.

Suzanne Braden, the director of Pandas International, and her staff are both very knowledgeable and passionate about saving our beloved Giant Pandas. Suzanne's efforts are a good example of how a charity does it right and makes a difference in this world. Suzanne and Pandas International have inspired many people to join the cause to ensure that extinction and Giant Pandas are never used together - ever.