Ebooks for Breast Cancer Support

So, many of you following the news here in the US have seen that the hugely popular Susan G. Komen Foundation has decided that it will stop providing funding for Planned Parenthood and will in effect, end the access of many poor women to breast cancer screening and treatment. I find this deplorable and don’t for a second buy into the idea that this has nothing to do with political motivations of the far-right. But, let’s forget about this.

John Scalzi has a great article that he wrote about it all and has organized a nice opportunity to give back. Buy copies of ebooks by him at Subterranean Press and the proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood to support breast cancer services. Or you can donate directly.

Genre for Japan - Get good/rare books and support a good cause!

You should all check out Genre for Japan - basically a group of genre fans/bloggers/industry people got together to organize an auction to support the British Red Cross Tsumami Appeal for the Japanese earthquake. Tons of books and other great items have been donated for the auction, including a couple from me.

I donated a signed copy of an ARC of The Last Colony by John Scalzi

and a signed copy of an ARC of Last Argument of Kings

So, what are you wating for. All items are up for bid starting on March 28th. And if you are interested in donating, you can donate through March 25th.

Do a Good Deed and Win Books

I’ll freely admit that I’m a rather privileged individual who lives a pretty good life. Perhaps it’s that old WASP upbringing, but I try to share out some of my good luck by donating time and money to organizations that mean something to me. Recent challenges in my personal life have only reinforced this belief and have encouraged me to try and do more (at least once I get my feet back under me). So, I strongly encourage anyone out there with the means to donate to the Ronald McDonald House – they helped me and my family out when we needed it and its donations that make it possible. In the very least, the next time you are at McDonald’s the fast food chain, drop your spare change (or even a few bucks) into the donation jar next to the register – I can assure you it goes to a good cause.

Now since this is primarily a SFF blog about SFF books and such, I suppose it’s a good idea to point to a charitable donation that you can make that will probably win you free SFF books or other sweet swag. Every year author Patrick Rothfuss organizes a fund drive for Heifer International and he uses his influence as a bestselling author to get publishers, authors, editors, and all sorts of other people to donate books and other swag to give away as prizes. He and a few others also match 50% of each donation made. Every $10 donated gives you 1 entry for the thousands (yes, thousands) of prizes up for grabs. I’ve given the last 2 years and won some pretty great books for it. So, if giving to a good cause isn’t enough, know that you’ll probably win some cool stuff.

So, what are you waiting for…

DONATE TO PATRICK ROTHFUSS’ WORLDBUILDERS 2010

(More info about the fund drive and Heifer International)

And while you’re at it…

DONATE TO THE RONDALD MCDONALD HOUSE