Aid for Haiti

Yesterday an earthquake rocked Haiti and decimated the capital of Port-au-Prince. Thousands -- and maybe more -- are feared dead. The international community is coming together to assist Haitians with medicine, clean water, aid workers and more. While you may not be able to get involved in direct relief measures you can assist from afar. Fast acting organizations such as Yele (Wyclef Jean) and the American Red Cross have created text-to-help programs.

Yele
Text 'Yele' to 501501 to make a $5 contribution to the relief effort. Click here for more info via Wyclef's Twitter page.

American Red Cross
Text 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

You must follow confirmation prompts in order for your contribution to be rendered valid.

Click here for more on what you can do to assist.

To find information about friends and family in Haiti: The U.S. State Department set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.

Sources: New York Times, New York Daily News and CNET News

Resolve to Save a Life!

If you're going to give a belated holiday gift, nothing is better than the gift of life.

Swindle Magazine's Art Director, Justin Van Hoy has relapsed with leukemia which means he's going to need a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, none of his family members are a match. So with the help of his amazing friends he's seeking an unrelated donor.

Here's how you can help if...

* You live in LA

R. Rock and Swindle are hosting a bone marrow drive for Justin at their office, in conjunction with City of Hope; the cancer center where Justin will have his transplant.

Tomorow, January 6th
10am - 2pm

R.Rock/Swindle Magazine Office
3111 Los Feliz Blvd., Ste 100
Los Angeles, CA 90039


There is no cost to participate but a donation would really help. Testing kits are usually $52 but City of Hope is waiving the fee.

If you're squeamish there is no need to worry; the oral swab needed for the test is pain free and most importantly -- blood free! The most painful thing you may have to do is fill out the consent form (you know, maybe you'll get a paper cut). Also there will be some drinks and snacks while you wait. This is open to anyone so spread the word!

Please be aware that by getting tested for Justin, you will be added to the national bone marrow donor registry. When a volunteer registers as a potential donor, his/her tissue type is listed on the donor file and is compared with the tissue type of all patients in need of a transplant. You can withdraw at any time, but keep in mind that you may be someone’s only hope for survival.

Please let Zio know you're coming and feel free to ask any questions: zio@swindlemagazine.com. Also, you can get on the horn; 323.669.8819.

* You are in the greater LA area and can't make it to tomorrow's drive
You can go directly to City of Hope to get tested to see if you are a match. There is a $52 fee for processing the sample, but if you donate blood, then the cost is waived. You can also request to have a kit mailed to you. If you have any questions, or to make an appointment, contact City of Hope at 626-301-8483.

* You are NOT in the LA area
Click here to join the registry to figure out where the nearest bone marrow drive is near you.

You will need Justin’s full name, birth date and medical record number. Contact Zio for this information.

Don't be a Pill

Don't wanna resort to flushing or tossing pills you don't need? Donate them to Madre's Helping Hands - a human rights organization that donates unused meds to people who need them in developing countries. Just grab what you've got (over-the-counter antihistamines or Rxs like insulin and penicillin - check out the full wish list); make sure everything's sealed, labeled, and at least 6 months from expiration; and drop it off at MHH's Chelsea location. Not putting them into our water stream keeps us from drinking prescription cocktails (trace amounts of pharmaceuticals end up in our taps because treatment plants can't filter 'em out). Go before November 25, in time for MHH's shipment to Nicaragua.

Madre's Helping Hands, drop off at 121 W. 27th St., #301, b/t Sixth and Seventh Aves. (212-627-0444). Check out the latest Daily Tip on flushing meds.

Mission of Burma

Above: Buddhist Monk passes through fallen debris


Above: Displaced children whose parents cannot be found.

With the death toll from last week's cyclone in Myanmar (Burma) at over 22,000 and counting, aid agencies are accepting relief donations. For a list of where you can contribute click here.

The Play Pump

Do you think M.I.A. & Afrikan Boy know about this?

The PlayPump is an incredibly simple but effective invention that helps people in Africa access clean drinking water. While children are playing on a merry-go-round up to 1,400 liters of clean water can be pumped into a tank that stands seven meters above the ground. The tank’s walls are used to place ad billboards while two sides are reserved for educational messages.

The time is now! A child dies of a water-related illness every 15 seconds. Last fall PlayPumps International launched a $60 million, three-year campaign to bring the benefits of clean drinking water to up to 10 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are one-third of the way to meeting this important goal.

Someone call up M.I.A., tell her to stop bitching about "immigrants" and actually put her money where her mouth is.

To make a donation, please check out the website.