“Be a Pioneer” and Increase Research in Women’s Health! The SoWH is partnering  with the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research to specifically increase research in women´s health. When you donate to the SoWH Endowment for Research Excellence, your donation is earmarked specifically for women´s health research. The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research funds research and develops researchers to optimize movement and health. Now celebrating 40 years as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation has grown to provide more than $1,000,000 in funding each year to promising research and researchers. Research strengthens the profession of physical therapy by defining the value of physical therapy, providing data that helps physical therapists deliver the best possible care, and developing innovative treatments and approaches. Make an investment in physical therapy!

Other ways to donate:

• Text Pelvic to 833-224-4494
• Or visit www.foundation4pt.org/textpelvichealth

Tribute donations: info@foundation4pt.org

Or mail your donation to:
Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, Attn: Pelvic Health Fund
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
* Be sure to indicate the donation is for the APTA Pelvic Health Endowment

Global Women’s Health Initiative (GWHI) is in need of funding to move our campaign to the next level. Be part of the unique experience. There’s an easy donation process that lets you quickly join funding efforts for current projects. All donations are tax-deductible through the GWHI founding partner the Shae Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3)organization.

GWHI’s Mission:

Through Physical Therapy we transform the lives of women by informing, educating and engaging medical communities. We believe in solutions that help women today while paving a healthy path for the women of tomorrow.

• Bring urgent healthcare to individual women in need worldwide
• Educate physical therapists and communities on women’s health issues
• Invest in sustainable global women’s health educational programs
• Foster international partnerships and opportunities
• Create message media campaigns — raise awareness and educate the global community

Unlike physicians, physical therapists generally do not have corporate donors such as manufacturers of surgical products that traditionally fund philanthropic healthcare ventures, so GWHI is appealing to physical therapists worldwide to help fund projects.

The problems GWHI will address are large and increasing:

• Ethiopia is home to 9,000 cases of obstetric fistula a year, and 59% of women receive no antenatal care. Only 13% receive postnatal care within the first two days of delivery. In Nigeria, 400,000 to 800,000 women live with fistulas, the highest national prevalence of obstetric fistula.
• The United Nations estimates that 86 million more girls will reach childbearing age in the world by 2030.
• In Nepal, 1 million women have pelvic organ prolapse, because they are expected to carry 100 to 200 pounds of food on their back. Of these, 600,000 to 700,000 have stage-three prolapse. Surgery needed to treat the latter condition costs $300 (US), and recovery takes one to 14 days. Even then, a physical therapist is needed to help transform patients and educate them on the function of the pelvic floor, so they fully benefit from a rehabilitation approach rather than just a surgical one.