The Today Show introduced me to the “Stand Up to Cancer” initiative this morning.  It’s anchored by a terrific

My distaste for fashion labels, brands, icons and whatnot has more to do with my distaste for being told what to do, than anything else. Even as a child, if someone said to me, “you have to wear a dress,” I would immediately go put on a pair of pants and heaven help the person – no matter how big or “authoritative” - who tried to tell me to take off the pants.

One of the compelling aspects of how ASCEND accomplishes its mission is the use of volunteers in combination with professional staff to accomplish ongoing sustainable programs. ASCEND offers volunteers the chance to participate in short-term expeditions of 1-2 weeks, or longer-term internships / fellowships of 2-18 months.