An anonymous donor will match dollar-for-dollar funds raised until January 2018 up to the amount of $200,000

Grounds for Health, an international non-profit NGO, has been challenged by an anonymous donor: the generous donor will match all donations, dollar-for-dollar, until January 2018 up to the amount of $200,000USD!

This incredible act of charity is just the feel-good news people need as we come to the end of a tumultuous year. But who are Grounds for Health? 

The charity was founded in 1996 by Dan Cox (president of a U.S. coffee company, hence the name) and his close friend Dr Francis Fote, OB/GYN. Cox recognised that thousands of women in coffee-growing communities were dying needlessly from cervical cancer, an easily treated and preventable form of cancer, simply because they did not have access to adequate screening and treatment services.

Grounds for Health partners with coffee cooperatives and communities in Peru, Kenya and Ethiopia to ensure these women gain access to the best possible care and has saved thousands of lives.

They began their journey in Oaxaca, Mexico, with financial support from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, and was primarily supported by volunteers; now, the operation is an international endeavour!

The charity has currently raised $65,000 (at time of writing – 16th October), so there is still quite a long way to go and needs as much help as it can get.

To date, Grounds for Health has screened over 80,000 women, treated more than 6,000 and provided training for more than 400 health providers! If their $200,000 goal is reached, the organization has BIG plans to expand their efforts and help even more women!

“If the challenge is successful, in 2018 Grounds for Health would like to 1) continue improving its high quality and innovative programs through the addition of thermocoagulation as a treatment technology and 2) lay the groundwork to incorporate HPV testing in its single day model the following year.”

Ellen Starr, Clinical Director at Grounds for Health says, “Thanks to our anonymous donor and the challenge funds that we hope to raise over the next few months, we will be able to continue to provide prevention services while planning innovations for the future. This is a win-win for women where access to basic medical services is limited.”

If you would like to help Grounds for Health meet this challenge, reach their goals and help save women’s lives in developing nations, head to their CROWDRISING page. 

All images by Grounds for Health.