Preemptive Love Coalition: Suggestion One

As a part of this week without eating out, I've asked a bunch of you to post suggestions for the recipient of the money that I'm saving from not eating out.  First, for those of you who have suggested recipients, thank you! I'll be taking suggestions through the end of this week.

Here's an added bonus- I will also write a profile post for each organization that is suggested. It's important for all of us to learn about the organizations (and people!) doing amazing work in the world. If you think this should be the organization that gets the funds, then comment on the blog! Each comment will be considered a vote! And voting ends on December 1st at 12PM PST!

I love that the first one suggested by @dentmaker (great twitter handle by the way) is one that I've never heard of before- the Preemptive Love Coalition.

Simply, the organization provides heart surgery to children in Iraq.  But after spending a few minutes with their website, there's much more to it than an operation. According to their site, congenital heart disease is highly prevalent in Iraq. Some cite Saddam Hussein's chemical attacks on the northern part of Iraq (known as Kurdish, Iraq) while others attribute this to poverty, intra-family marriages and other cultural reasons. PLC recognizes that addressing this issue requires extensive knowledge of the social environment and an attitude of support and service.

So how does PLC do it?  First, the organization partners with Johns Hopkins Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul, Turkey to actually offer the surgeries to the children. Having that resource allows for the children to access some of the best medical care in the world.  Second,  PLC staff goes deep into the community, forming relationships with families and community leaders to guide the family through the process. Depending on the severity of the case, PLC staff will build a relationship with the family for up to a year, guiding them in the preparation for this surgery- emotionally, financially and physically. And after the surgery, they require that the family enrolls in a 6-month recovery program.  They also don't just hand out medical care for free. Apparently, based on a matrix they've put together (PLC- would love to see it!), they help the family financially plan for the surgery. Sustainability's sweet.

And finally,  aside from receiving donations, PLC sells some unique looking shoes and t-shirts  (I'm a fan of the green "preemptive love" tee).

Looks like they're on to a good start with a solid board and intentional messaging.  Cool recommendation. What do you guys think? Remember, each comment is considered a "vote" for this organization!

Cheers!

Amy