Non-Profits to Hack for a Cause
Ten national and local non-profit organizations will gather at the LIVESTRONG Foundation Headquarters in Austin, Texas, for a 24-hour Causathon March 11-12. Creative agency and technology studio Brand Knew and the LIVESTRONG Foundation will bring the non-profits together with at least 100 developers, designers and tech-enthusiasts to hack create solutions to improve their organizations.
During the event, teams of creative professionals will be generating practical and powerful technological solutions to help the non-profits solve some of their outstanding issues.
“By solving small problems and creating solutions for these 10 organizations’ operations, the result will be an additional focus on serving the cancer community in real time,” said LIVESTRONG Foundation Executive Vice President Morgan Binswanger. “With the team from Brand Knew, we are hosting some of the most energetic and inspired tech minds as they approach new ways to address issues and allow the nonprofits to serve additional clients who look to them for help in dealing with cancer.”
Following the 24-hour hackathon, all 10 teams will present their projects to a panel of distinguished judges, who hail from the venture, technology and media spheres. The winning team will earn prizes, to go along with raffles, gifts, entertainment and inspiration throughout the day.
The participating organizations are:
Critical Mass: The Young Adult Cancer Alliance unifies voices and eliminates barriers. It is a coalition of non-profits, medical institutions, patient advocacy groups, government agencies, clinicians, researchers and dedicated individuals – all united by a shared passion to improve the lives of young adults with cancer.
Flatwater Foundation: The Flatwater Foundation is dedicated to providing those diagnosed with cancer, their families and loved ones access to mental health therapy and family support. This includes access to both traditional and non-traditional methods of psychological counseling.
Hospice Austin: Hospice Austin is a nonprofit organization that eases the physical, emotional and spiritual pain of any person in our community facing the final months of a serious illness by providing expert and compassionate care, education and bereavement support.
LIVESTRONG Foundation: The LIVESTRONG Foundation fights to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. It provides free services for cancer patients and survivors and advocates for policies that improve their access to care and quality of life.
Partners in Health: Partners in Health provides a preferential option for the poor in health care. By establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations based in settings of poverty, Partners In Health strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair.
Patient Advocate Foundation: PAF provides professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses. PAF case managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis also assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys.
Seton Shivers Cancer Center: The Seton Shivers Cancer Center provides a variety of outpatient services for adult cancer patients in Central Texas. Seton believes in treating the entire person, their health care professionals work closely with the Seton Cancer Care team to provide additional support services to patients and their families.
Texas 4000: Texas 4000 cultivates student leaders and engage communities in the fight against cancer. Texas 4000 shares hope, knowledge and charity through leadership development, grant making, and its cornerstone event, a 4,000+ mile bike ride from Austin to Anchorage.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults: The Ulman Cancer Fund helps young adults fighting cancer understand their options. It offers guidance in what to expect and what questions to ask in their cancer journey. It empowers through young adult support organizations, education and support programs, scholarships, and a network of passionate volunteers, survivors, parents, and young adults affected by cancer.
Y-USA: The Y strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million people to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
Original press release here.