#Giving Tuesday: Use Your Head and Your Heart for Giving, End Alzheimer's

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story blog.

Focused on Story by J.Q. Rose

What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday #GivingTuesday is on Tuesday, November 26, 2018.  According to Wikipedia Giving Tuesday is always the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. This movement "was created as an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season."

When I think of giving to an organization, I assume the gift would be a monetary donation. But according to the Giving Tuesday website, a person can also give of their time, goods, and their voice. 

End Alzheimer's Disease

Today I'm using my voice through my blog to bring awareness to fight Alzheimer's Disease, "the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, slowed or cured", according to alz.com. I'm sure you have known someone in your family or a dear friend who suffered from this disease. You have seen him or her deteriorate because AD has ravaged their brain. So many of those who lost a loved one because of this disease remark that they lost the person way before death took the victim.

The Alzheimer's Association states that "Alzheimer's is an epidemic worldwide." Click here to read the facts that back up this statement. 

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  Click here if you would like to join a team in your area to participate in the next walk.

I lost my friend and mentor to AD. I hated to see how she suffered and how her family and friends felt helpless to comfort her or make her better. 

Deadly Undertaking by J.Q. Rose
Paranormal romantic suspense

A handsome detective, 

a shadow man, and a murder victim

 kill Lauren’s plan for a simple life.

Available at major digital booksellers.

I wanted to raise awareness of the disease, so I included a character suffering from AD in my romantic suspense novel, Deadly Undertaking. She is the mother of the main character and plays an important part in the story.

I have pledged to donate the royalties from the October through December sales of this book to fight Alzheimer's Disease. But you don't have to buy my book to donate money or offer your time and voice to this organization. Please help any way you can.

Thank you. I hope this blog post has raised your awareness and concern about this disease.

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Use Your Head and Your Heart for Giving
Giving is a good thing, but not everyone who is asking you to give is good. Scammers will try to take advantage of kind hearts. It's important you use your head as well as your heart to make a wise decision to support an organization that will make the best use of your dollars. So, please, whatever charity or person you choose to support, talk to your friends about it or research online to make sure the money or time you give will be used toward actually making a difference in their stated mission.

I use Charity Navigator to find out about groups. I especially like to know what percent of the monies donated are spent on administration fees. 

Other sites recommended by the "New York Times" are GuideStar and BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Click the highlighted names of the sites to research charities and help make your choice no matter what time of year you wish to make donations.