My Nonprofit Reviews
Elaine24
Review for Morris Animal Foundation, Denver, CO, USA
Thank you for instituting the major study of mast cell tumor cancer in Golden Retrievers! I lost my Golden Retriever Service Dog on July 16, 2012 to Mast Cell tumor after a nearly 9 month batter to save his life along with The Gift of Sunshine, The Land of Pure Gold, the Varis Fund and the great oncologists and all staff at the Harrington Oncology Program at the Tuft's University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Hopefully this study will save many of the beautiful golden retrievers who give their heart so unconditionally!
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Leave it to those who are already leading this Foundation.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Likely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for Northeast Independent Living Program Inc, Lawrence, MA, USA
I am very sorry to read the review of this IL center, which used to be one of the most forward thinking in Massachusetts. I hope that the state Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission which funds Independent Living Centers in Massachusetts in part will restore the reputation of this IL with diligent and public oversight.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Advocate oversight on the state level!
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Unsure
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2002
Review for The Tower Of Hope Inc, Rumson, NJ, USA
The Tower of Hope funded my second service dog. Cathy answered my email as I searched for funding. The Tower of Hope is a foundation set up in memory of Cathy's late husband Tom who was brutally attacked like thousands of others on September 11, 2001 in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, New York. Cathy has funded many veterans and persons with disabilities over the last seven years. I later met Cathy when I was training with my late Service Dog, Lunar Sky at the ECAD campus on the grounds of Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY. I believe The Tower of Hope has funded many ECAD service dogs after my introduction.
I urge you to donate to this charity and to attend their annual gala where some service dog owners are included in the festivities. It is my greatest regret that I could not attend the gala with my service dog Lunar Sky. He was with me a very short time before he suddenly developed mast cell cancer. Apparently, as I later found out, he had cancer in his genetic line. Sometimes mast cell tumor has a genetic source and sometimes not. I had nearly 5 wonderful and very healthy years with my dear service dog. I became very ill after he died only recovering about 10 months after the initial multiple sclerosis symptoms - that unmistakeable buzzing in the spine - took away my ability to walk in an acute attack. I am happy to say I gain most of the health I had before the attack as well as more inner strength! Cathy sent her condolences for the loss of Lunar Sky. The oncologists at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuft's University sent a round robin card of all the staff who cared for my service dog. Some day - I have applied to a small group in New Hampshire - another service dog will be by my side but I will never forget the generosity of The Tower of Hope towards me and many other deserving persons with injuries and disabilities. There are people in this world and then there are good people. The Tower of Hope and their leader and founder Cathy are very good folks!
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Also have a gala in the major cities of the states where service dogs have been placed to raise funds so that everyone who needs a service dog will readily have that access. So many persons with disabilities and injuries are rendered without extra funds to put it mildly. All I can say is give a little or a lot if you have it but give because it makes a very big difference in the lives of persons who absolutely require that difference happen. Celebrate your own health by giving.
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for Gift of Sunshine Inc, Center Valley, PA, USA
I donate every month to the Gift of Sunshine, Inc. I became aware of this charity when a friend gave me the name during a very stressful time. I had just discovered that my service dog Lunar Sky had inoperable mast cell cancer in his right front leg. It was in an area between the bones in his leg. It was not yet thought to have traveled to his spleen as many mast cell cancers do. I was understandably derailed from a reasonably peaceful time in my life to the chaos cancer rains on many service dog owners. The Gift of Sunshine reviewed my documents and forwarded funds to The Foster Hospital at The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in order to allow me to try to keep my sweet pup Lunar Sky alive and give him a chance to fight the cancer. (The Harrington Oncology Program there has two of the best doctors leading the clinical care of small animals with cancer!) He did very well for many months until the 9th month when he failed precipitously. The cancer had spread. I was very thankful that I had that time with my service dog of only just shy of 5 years. My first service dog worked with me for ten years. I later learned that Lunar Sky's father had cancer in his line. Mast Cell Tumor may have a genetic link - it is difficult to digest that a being so close and so helpful to your health and well-being has been given a death sentence. In Lunar Sky's memory I donate to The Gift of Sunshine with the hope that my small contribution will help another service dog team avoid the worst or at least delay it so that in saying good-bye the human can shower love upon that being that loved you unconditionally, (so important for anyone who is often not included wittingly or unwittingly), and gave you a healthier brain through the copious smiles which healed the human half of the team. Please join me and consider giving a small amount monthly to the Gift of Sunshine - it is so very important. Thank you Julie!
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not recommend any changes. It is run very responsibly.
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
