Giving Tuesday

This year has been a busy one, with lots of firsts, like our recent Midwest XLH Day. Now it's time for another first: our first year participating in #GivingTuesday.

If you've never heard of the event, here's how the official website describes it: "We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give."

If you appreciate the work the Network has been doing, here are a few ways you can give back on #GivingTuesday.

1. Give money. We're working toward a more stable future for the Network, and that takes financial resources. While we love large donations, they're not the only ones that make a difference. When a large percentage of an organization's members donate, even if the individual amounts are small, that evidence of our members' support can improve our chances of obtaining grant funding. No matter how much or how little you can afford, every dollar makes a real difference. Here's the information on how to make a donation: http://xlhnetwork.org/index.php/donate/

We understand that not everyone is in a position to make even a small financial contribution, but there are other ways to give back.

2. Give knowledge. You know about the Network and our mission, so tell someone else about us. Maybe there's someone in your extended family who has XLH, but hasn't joined the Network yet, and you could encourage them to join. Maybe your doctor or dentist treats other XLH patients, but doesn't know about the Network or all the resources we offer. In that case, you could print out some of our brochures (medical here:  http://xlhnetwork.org/files/7813/9680/2734/XLH_brochure.pdf, and dental here http://xlhnetwork.org/index.php/what-is-xlh/dental-flyers/) and ask the medical provider to share the information with other patients.

3. Give hope. If you've benefitted from membership in the XLH Network, and are excited about the recent advances in research, tell someone. #GivingTuesday is a perfect opportunity to announce your support of the XLH Network. If you're not already connected with our social media platforms, you can like our official facebook page (facebook.com/xlhnetwork) or follow us on Twitter (@XLH_Network). Then you can share our posts/Tweets, and add your comments to let your followers know what the Network means to you. If you're not sure what to say, keep it simple: "I support @XLH_Network on #GivingTuesday and throughout the year."

We are thankful for the support of all our members in whatever form it takes. We hope you'll join us in raising awareness about the XLH Network as we embark on our first #GivingTuesday campaign. You can make a difference: Give money. Give knowledge. Give hope.