Pancreatic Cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer. In 2020, Pancreatic Cancer is projected to become the 2nd leading cause of Cancer-related deaths in the United States – responsible for taking the lives of more than 56,700 people each year and growing. Join the FCSP Foundation in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer.

Geoff Shudtz was diagnosed with stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in December of 2017. He was 35, and his son, Emerson Louis Shudtz, was just three weeks old. Instead of crumbling under the weight of a devastating diagnosis, Geoff chose to hold his head high, fight strong, and stay positive. After his diagnosis, Geoff started his own real estate development company that put his physical mark across Richmond. No matter what, he never let Cancer win. He looked it straight in the eyes and stayed positive. During his treatment, Geoff created a mantra that inspired him to continue growing as a person and others to help him. It was simple: “F-Cancer, Stay Positive”

The FCSP Foundation was created to raise funds to find the cure for Pancreatic Cancer and connect Cancer patients with the support they need to continue their lives. Together, we will spread Geoff’s legacy. We will win. FCSP!

WHO WE ARE:

Global Surgical Expedition (GSE) sends medical teams to underserved countries across the world and provides surgeries that change lives.

MISSION:

To deliver surgical care to those in need.

We are a medical charity that sends surgical teams to underserved nations around the world to deliver surgeries and change lives. Did you know that an estimated 30-50% of our world’s population lacks access to basic surgical care? Or that a significant percentage of deaths in these countries can be prevented by routine surgeries that we take for granted? With your help, we can change that!

To change lives.

One surgery can truly change a life forever! By removing a cancerous growth, GSE saves lives. By fixing disabling and chronic conditions, GSE helps get people back to work and family responsibilities. In doing so, we make a more significant impact on global poverty.

To share our stories.

Founded on the belief that stories of inspiration are everywhere, GSE strives to be a storyteller. The story of each of our missions is told on our site through its own page. We are inspired each day by the remarkable men and women we meet on our trips. And we are moved by the committed health care volunteers who dedicate themselves to helping others. Enjoy these remarkable stories in the Success Stories on this site!

To build surgical infrastructure.

GSE strives to empower the countries that we visit to provide their own surgeries. Delivering equipment and educating local physicians are two ways that GSE enables developing countries to provide more types of surgical care and expand our reach to more men and women in need.

To create a unique partnership between supporters and mission volunteers.

Have you ever wondered where your donations go? With GSE’s new model you’ll always know. Watch the stories of each mission as it unfolds. Send messages of encouragement to the medical volunteers as they deliver surgeries. Be a part of the journey with us!

To foster the next generation of medical volunteers.

Through student chapters and travel scholarships, we inspire the next generation of medical volunteers. Time and again, a single mission has changed a student forever!

To learn better ways to help.

GSE is committed to not only providing surgeries, but also to learning how to better help those in need. We perform research to understand how disease impacts local communities and to learn how better patient follow-up and outcomes can be achieved.

“Established in 2014, Boots to Suits is a clothing program for all male and female Virginia veterans who have or will be transitioning from military life to civilian careers. Boots to Suits provides veterans with two complimentary career outfits, enabling them to look and feel their best for job interviews and non-military work environments. Military spouses of Wounded Warriors who are job-seeking and the main household provider are also eligible for this opportunity.

Boots to Suits is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. All donations are tax-deductible.”

What is SCAN?

Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect in the Greater Richmond area. SCAN was founded in 1991 in response to the rapidly growing rate of child abuse and neglect in the City of Richmond and its surrounding counties. SCAN is an affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia.

How does SCAN help keep children safe?

By providing the awareness, support and education needed to enhance the lives of children. SCAN’s services promote positive parenting, strengthen families and help create a community that values and cares for its children. Our programs include the Family Support Program, Community Programs, The Circle Preschool Program, Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the Child Advocacy Centers (CAC).

World Pediatric Project is an international non-profit organization bridging the gap in lack of access to advanced pediatric healthcare in the world.

World Pediatric Project’s origin began as passion projects in two cities to save the lives of children. International Hospital for Children, founded in Richmond, VA in 2001, and Heal the Children Missouri, founded in St. Louis, MO in 2004, merged in 2011 to better leverage and scale their combined expertise and resources. Both Richmond founder Dr. Julian Metts, DDS, and St. Louis founder Kate Corbett still serve in critical roles in the organization today, as an Executive Board member and St. Louis Executive Director/Senior Program Director, respectively.

Forward Foundation

Forward Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting working, single parents and their children in the Greater Richmond area who are amid a financial crisis.

Our Mission

“Empowering Action to Move Forward”

Strength, Perseverance, Persistence, Purposefulness

We are working with single parent families that have encountered a life altering event resulting in financial crisis. Those events stem from a variety of circumstances such as a death, divorce, or illness. Our parents need to work. Due to the exorbitant costs of quality childcare, the income they are making many times is not enough to cover their daily expenses.

Our Financial Support Includes

Monthly childcare subsidy – paid directly to the childcare provider

Expenses affiliated with our educational workshops, activities, and events

Our Client Profile

We work to assist single parents who are working full time, finishing advanced degrees, or a combination of both. These are typically individuals that would not qualify for assistance through the state due to earning “too high” of an income. Forward Foundation is filling that gap of families that fall in between.

Our Why

Navigating single parenthood is tough; even more so when dealing with financial hardship

One out of four homes in America are single parent households

A single parent typically spends 34% of their total household income on childcare expenses. Cost of full-time care for an infant or toddler costs on average nearly $15k a year

Adults and children in single-parent households are at a higher risk for adverse health outcomes such as mental illness ( substance abuse, depression, suicide) and unhealthy behaviors (smoking, excessive alcohol use, food insecurity)

In 2020 nearly 19 million children, amounting to 25% of all children in the U.S., were living in single-parent families.

Our Program

Forward Foundation has thoughtfully designed a program that fosters the resilience and independence of the families we serve so they can “move forward.”

Our Areas of Focus

SUPPORT

Qualified working, single parents are eligible to receive subsidized childcare assistance and educational services. Forward Foundation also provides a sense of community as a “safe space” during a vulnerable time.

EDUCATE

In conjunction with our collaborative partners, we equip our parents with vital resources and basic knowledge in the areas they need to best care for themselves and their children.

EMPOWER

Our goal is to provide the necessary tools needed to take our families from instability to stability.

Our Goals

• Foster resilience and financial independence
• Build community and gain valuable skills
• Bring awareness and advocate for this immense need