Monthly Archives: March, 2011

Posted: March 17th, 2011

Please join the UIC School of Public Health community in showing support for those affected by the recent events in Japan.  Dr. Naoko Muramatsu, Associate Professor, University of Illinois School of Public Health has generously compiled a list of organizations that could use our help below.

1. Donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society
You can donate by clicking on the Japan America Society of Chicago: Japan Earthquake Relief Fund website. Established in 1930, the Japan America Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, nonpolitical association that “fosters understanding between our two cultures, to cultivate personal friendship between our two people.”   After some research for the best way to use donated money, they have just decided to wire-transfer 100% of each donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society.  (In contrast, the American Red Cross donations below incur a 9% fee that the American Red Cross retains.) Japanese Red Cross Society is currently at the forefront of relief activities.  Click here for more details.

It takes a minute or two to contribute online (paypal or credit card).  You will immediately receive a receipt.  You can mail a check to the Japan America Society of Chicago if you prefer.

2. Donate to the American Red Cross
To donate to the American Red Cross, you have two options.  The first option is to visit the website of the Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago (http://www.jasc-chicago.org/).  The Japanese American Service Committee is an established social service agency that offers a variety of programs for children, adults and the elderly, which promote health and quality of life of family and community.  100% of your donation will be forwarded to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. It takes only a couple of minutes to contribute on line (paypal or credit card), and you will receive a receipt of your donation immediately.  You can mail your check to the Japanese American Services Committee as well (the form is available on line).

The second option is to donate directly to the American Red Cross.
https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052

Whether you make your donation through the Japanese American Service Committee or directly to the American Red Cross, the outcome will be the same:  The American Red Cross will retain 9% of the donated money as a fee, and the rest will go to relief activities.   They are now in discussion with Japanese Red Cross Society as to how they can help.

3.  Other options include:
Unicef: Japan Earthquake relief fund or The New York Times has compiled a list of other options on their website.

Posted: March 15th, 2011

On March 14, 2011 Ruth Lucas, Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Fellow and UIC Doctoral Candidate in Nursing, presented her current research about maternal breastfeeding experiences and neonatal breastfeeding behaviors of children later diagnosed with autism.  She also talked about how the LEND fellowship has enriched her research and her understanding of autism within the Illinois public health system and national health system.

Ann Culter, MD, Director, UIC LEND Program, and Susan Kahan, Project Coordinator, UIC LEND Program, also discussed the goals and objectives of the LEND program.

The UIC LEND Program is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 program.  Click here to access the application.

Click here for the powerpoint presentation and the audio recording of the presentation (Sorry, the audio is not the highest quality. You may have to turn up the volume).