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    Support Care and Medical Treatment for the Children of Vietnam Veterans

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    To: United States Veterans Administration

    Since 1991, Birth Defect Research for Children has received calls from thousands of Vietnam veterans who have children with birth defects and other disabilities.“Ilost my husband from a cancerous brain tumor 13 months ago. My son has many disabilities, including Tourette’s syndrome, mental...

    …

    Since 1991, Birth Defect Research for Children has received calls from thousands of Vietnam veterans who have children with birth defects and other disabilities.“Ilost my husband from a cancerous brain tumor 13 months ago. My son has many disabilities, including Tourette’s syndrome, mental retardation, mild cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and he is profoundly deaf. He will never be able to live on his own.” 


    “My father passed away in 1998. He had many health problems, including type II diabetes. He was only 50 years old. Agent Orange has been a part of my life from the moment I was born. I was born without my right leg, several of my fingers, and my big toe on my left foot. My mother had three miscarriages. My younger brother (age 29) has to wear bifocals and suffers from chronic joint pain.” 

    “I served four tours in Vietnam. We have three children: one daughter with a heart defect, another with scoliosis and digestive problems, and a son born with a defective optic nerve that has left him blind in the right eye. There is no history of birth defects on either side of our family.” These families are frustrated because they don’t know where to turn for proper diagnosis and treatment of their children’s disorders. 

    We want to serve our veterans as they have served us by petitioning for a 'Children's Center' that would be staffed by specialists who could diagnose and treat veterans' children who have birth defects and developmental disabilities.The center would provide free diagnosis and treatment for their serious health conditions and work with their doctors back home to continue care in their own communities. It has been over 30 years since the war in Vietnam ended still veterans and their families are living with the effects of the War. It is our turn to help support their children as their parents have supported this country.
    25,000

    13,207 people signed the petition

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    Bcb
    Birth Defect Research for Children, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that is hosting this petition. Visit www.birthdefects.org for more information about their organization and what they do.
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    We have designed special Agent Orange Hope bracelets that were made by dedicated volunteers of BDRC. If you would like to support our grassroots efforts in raising momentum, visit our fundraiser action page to see how you can get one!
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    MSGT LEROY G. FOSTER, Granddaughter, Amelia-has “multiple birth defects, autism syndrome, autoimmune problems.” His daughter Alicia also suffers from autoimmune problems and many other health conditions.
    Feb
    Le Roy G. Foster, MSgt. USAF, Retired.
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    Paul Oswald, photo taken at Fort Lewis, Washington , April 1966. Photos of his children, Tyson and his sister Tonja.
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    Sherri and her Starwood Vacation friends are showing their hard work
    Yvb
    Betty the executive director poses with Starwood employees next to the Christmas Tree.
    Qlb
    Working hard to spread the awareness.
    C7b
    The hands of those giving back to the community.
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    • Birth Defect Research for Children, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that is hosting this petition. Visit www.birthdefects.org for more information about their organization and what they do.
    • We have designed special Agent Orange Hope bracelets that were made by dedicated volunteers of BDRC. If you would like to support our grassroots efforts in raising momentum, visit our fundraiser action page to see how you can get one!
    • MSGT LEROY G. FOSTER, Granddaughter, Amelia-has “multiple birth defects, autism syndrome, autoimmune problems.” His daughter Alicia also suffers from autoimmune problems and many other health conditions.
    • Le Roy G. Foster, MSgt. USAF, Retired.
    • Paul Oswald, photo taken at Fort Lewis, Washington , April 1966. Photos of his children, Tyson and his sister Tonja.
    • Sherri and her Starwood Vacation friends are showing their hard work
    • Betty the executive director poses with Starwood employees next to the Christmas Tree.
    • Working hard to spread the awareness.
    • The hands of those giving back to the community.

    Birth Defect Research for Children wants you to join us in raising public awareness about the continuing effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans' children! There is power in numbers. The more signatures we receive, the more our voices will be heard. 

    Signing this petition will help thousands of Vietnam Veterans' children that are in dire need of specific medical treatment related to Agent Orange exposure. Be a supporter and sign the petition on the behalf of ALL veterans!

    Issues: , , , , , , , , ,

    1. Update #11

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on May 14

      The more signature we can gather the faster we can continue our mission as an organization. 

    2. Update #10

      Posted by Betty Mekdeci (Campaign Leader) on Apr 1

      They Want Us to Kill the Petition

      Since Birth Defect Research for Children filed the petition for the Center to diagnose and treat the children of Vietnam veterans, we have seen our funding disappear.  Our Combined Federal Campaign (military and government workplace) funding is at an all time low.  Grants we counted on have not come through.  Right now our funding has been cut in half and we are only able to continue because our director has been willing to work for free since the...

      …

      They Want Us to Kill the Petition

      Since Birth Defect Research for Children filed the petition for the Center to diagnose and treat the children of Vietnam veterans, we have seen our funding disappear.  Our Combined Federal Campaign (military and government workplace) funding is at an all time low.  Grants we counted on have not come through.  Right now our funding has been cut in half and we are only able to continue because our director has been willing to work for free since the beginning of this year.  We are a small organization and never operate on a lot of funding, but we can't exist on "no" funding.  This is why we are appealing to all 12,648 veterans and friends who have signed the Centers' petition to help us with your donation.  You can donate through the Agent Orange bracelet program here on Causes or directly through our web site www.birthdefects.org .  If all of you donate only $25, we will be able to continue another year.  If you donate $50, two years…and if you donate $100, we will be there for you through the long haul.  We need for you to "help us help you"!


    3. Update #9

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Mar 14

      Hello Causers,

      We would like to introduce you to Faces of Agent Orange, an organization that has helped many Vietnam Veteran and their children express their concerns. Faces of Agent Orange is part of the Agent Orange Education Campaign, a project of Vietnam Veterans of America. Check out their video and see how their testimonials make this petition imperative. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QjQKEiT-FA&feature=share&list=UUMxqQq9enK6LgDEiYE-dhzA

      Thank you!

    4. Update #8

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Feb 12


      Hello Causers,

      Say hi to our young volunteer Brandon. Brandon is 11-years-old and his father, who is Vietnamese, is currently stationed in California in the Navy. He encourages Brandon to serve his community as he is serving his country. Over the past weekend Brandon volunteered at Birth Defect Research for Children in making Agent Orange Hope bracelets. Although it was a tedious task at first, he continued to string the beads hoping that somewhere this will make a difference in...

      …


      Hello Causers,

      Say hi to our young volunteer Brandon. Brandon is 11-years-old and his father, who is Vietnamese, is currently stationed in California in the Navy. He encourages Brandon to serve his community as he is serving his country. Over the past weekend Brandon volunteered at Birth Defect Research for Children in making Agent Orange Hope bracelets. Although it was a tedious task at first, he continued to string the beads hoping that somewhere this will make a difference in someone's life.

      If you would like help us build grassroots support for the Vietnam Veterans' Center for Children, go to http://www.causes.com/actions/1694560-agent-orange-hope-bracelet?ctm=more_from_cause to donate for Agent Orange Hope bracelets. For a $10 donation, we'll send you one to wear and one to share. Make sure to include your name, address, color of the bracelet, and size. Send your message to Nina@birthdefects.org in order to receive your bracelets. Thank you for your support of our veterans and their children. 


    5. Update #7

      Posted by Betty Mekdeci (Campaign Leader) on Feb 5

      Performance artists Scramble Campbell and Kristina Mekdeci created this 50-mural in Kokomo, Indiana to illustrate the suffering of Vietnam veterans' children who were born with birth defects and developmental disabilities. Veterans' children signed their names on Toxic Legacy..The Children's Wall.  Please share this with your friends and family and ask them to sign our petition for a Center to help these children.

    6. Update #6

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Jan 15

      Hello Causers,

      As you can see our new goal to reach is 25,000 signatures. If each of you can get 10 people to sign the petition we will reach our desired goal in no time. All they need to do is click, sign petition, and they are making a difference in someone's' life.

      With a minimum of 25,000 signature, the government can consider our petition as a valid case. Otherwise these signatures will not be useful to the veterans' cause. Thank you for supporting Vietnam Veterans because of you our...

      …

      Hello Causers,

      As you can see our new goal to reach is 25,000 signatures. If each of you can get 10 people to sign the petition we will reach our desired goal in no time. All they need to do is click, sign petition, and they are making a difference in someone's' life.

      With a minimum of 25,000 signature, the government can consider our petition as a valid case. Otherwise these signatures will not be useful to the veterans' cause. Thank you for supporting Vietnam Veterans because of you our local newspaper featured us in their local news.

      Check out BDRC in the Orlando Sentinel, published on January 8, 2013. Great way to start the new year!
      http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/changetheworld/2013/01/orlando-group-pushes-for-center-to-study-children-of-vietnam-vets.html

    7. Update #5

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Dec 7, 2012

      Thank you Starwood Vacation Homes for coming in and volunteering your time in making the Agent Orange Hope bracelets! It is a wonderful cause to bring awareness to. What better way to show your support by being involved.

      Get one and share one today by donating to this cause today! Visit our Agent Orange Hope bracelet page. http://www.causes.com/causes/420453-honor-a-vet/actions/1694560

    8. Update #4

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Nov 15, 2012

      View new posted photos of veterans and a video by Agent Orange Legacy.

      Danielle K. Reyes,Co-Founder of Agent Orange Legacy, speaks out about the Vietnam War and its aftermath.She also Speaks out about Agent Orange/Dioxin and the affects it had in her life.

    9. Update #3

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Nov 9, 2012

      Happy Veterans Day!

      I want to thank you for helping BDRC reach out to the community to come together for this petition. Also I wanted to say have a happy and safe Veterans Day weekend, and don't forget to wear your Agent Orange Hope bracelet at your local Veterans Day parade. If you haven't donated for a Agent Orange Hope bracelet, visit our other pages to see how to get one.

      http://www.causes.com/causes/420453-honor-a-vet/actions/1694560?utm_campaign=more_from_cause

    10. Update #2

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Nov 6, 2012

      Hello Causers,

      Congratulations, as of Tuesday, Nov. 6, we have reached 868 signatures for this cause. I updated the petitions photo album on the bottom. There are photos of veterans with their children or grandchildren. Take a look at them and if this inspires you to put a face to this cause, send in photos of yourself with a brief description to nina@birthdefects.org. Thank you and keep up the wonderful job of spreading the word!

      -Nina Truong

    11. Update #1

      Posted by Nina Truong (Campaign Leader) on Nov 5, 2012

      Thank you all who have signed the petition thus far! It is wonderful to see the veteran community come together and raise awareness. As of Monday, Nov. 5, there is about 400 signatures and it is building every day!

      Those who are interested in Vietnam Veteran actions should visit our additional action pages like our Agent Orange Hope bracelet. You can find out more information about the bracelet on the bottom under, "More Actions From Honor a Vet."

    See more

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