Charity Profile

Austin nonprofit's empowering mission is changing the fight against cancer

Livestrong Challenge bike cycling marathon

Livestrong provides tools and programs for cancer survivors, caregivers, and patients.

Editor's note: CultureMap is committed to shining a light on Austin-area nonprofits and their impact on our community. So, we're launching the first-ever CultureMap Austin Charity Challenge, highlighting deserving local organizations — one of which will become our charity partner for 2016 based on readers' votes. Get to know one of our eight finalists, Livestrong.

The fight against cancer can be scary, but Livestrong challenges each person affected by cancer to fight fearlessly. With caring and support at the core of their mission, Livestrong empowers people to hit cancer hard with all they’ve got. Since 1997, the nonprofit has provided several tools and programs for survivors, caregivers, and patients to help deal with the disease together. Livestrong’s free cancer navigation services are available for those diagnosed with cancer and their families, involving everyone so no one has to go it alone.

In addition, Livestrong offers innovative partnerships for the cancer-fighting community, like its 12-week exercise program with the YMCA, which has impacted more than 30,000 people. Programs including Livestrong at School and the Community Impact Project also further the organization's mission to help serve communities. With unity at the core of its creed, Livestrong works to change policies or practices through advocacy and research, and has built a cancer-fighting community of warriors.

Vote now for Livestrong — or any of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge running through December 30. A winner will be announced January 5, 2016, and will receive a CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.

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Charity Partner

Austin Pets Alive! fetches the win in our CultureMap Charity Challenge

Courtesy of Austin Pets Alive!

We asked, you voted: Austin Pets Alive! is the winner of CultureMap Charity Challenge 2016.

In mid-December, we launched our first-ever CultureMap Austin Charity Challenge in order to shine a light on the city’s much-needed nonprofits. Highlighting eight local organizations and their impact on Austin, we released a series of mini-profiles to help you, our readers, decide which of them deserved to be our 2016 charity partner.

The poll has been tallied, and the organization that came out on top was Austin Pets Alive! (APA) with over 50 percent of the vote. By winning the 2016 Charity Challenge, APA will receive a CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.

APA maintains comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save animals most at risk for euthanasia. Since 2008, APA has saved more than 30,000 pets and found them forever homes.

APA has created programs like The PASS Program (Positive Alternative to Shelter Surrender), which provides assistance to pet owners who may be unable to house their pets, significantly reducing the number of animals that enter the shelter system.

Through developing innovative programs for at-risk animals, APA has helped Austin become and maintain its status as the largest no-kill city in the country. We at CultureMap look forward to this Charity Challenge partnership and helping to further the nonprofit’s important work in our community.

For more information on Austin Pets Alive! and how you can get involved, visit the website.

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