Davenport, IA (May 2011) ? In February 2011, a Keith Donohue said farewell to sunny San Diego and began a journey that is likely to change his life ? and many other lives, as well.

Donohue, 32, is the founder of Positive Present®, an organization devoted to positive affirmations and making a positive impact through philanthropy. His organization's first big venture is a unique project called "50Give," where Donohue is trekking cross-country to volunteer in each of the 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico and the District of Columbia.

Donohue's visit to Iowa on Wednesday, May 18 will be spent at the Figge Art Museum.  Donohue will help the museum celebrate Haitian Flag Day by leading a volunteer project to bag food which will be delivered to Haiti.  The Figge's Haitian Collection is one of the first and most comprehensive collections of Haitian art in the United States and in September the Figge will host the special exhibition, Restoring the Spirit: Celebrating Haitian Art.  The Figge is partnering with Kids Against Hunger Your Quad-Cities for this event and it is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Donohue will also help the museums administrative staff and assist Figge outreach staff with an elementary program in the Davenport School District.

Travelling by car, plane or boat, Donohue will devote 5-6 months of his time helping various nonprofits, charities and other worthy causes. During the journey, he will eat, sleep and breathe nothing but volunteerism to offer a helping hand (manual labor, office administration, fundraising, marketing/promotions, event planning, soccer coaching, whatever is needed).

What's his motivation? "I have a passion for helping others and fundraising," Donohue says. "I hope this trip will encourage others to give unconditionally and also provide positive awareness for inspiring organizations that strive to make this world better."

Donohue, a Washington, DC native, is no beginner when it comes to philanthropy and fundraising. Over the past five years, he has planned and promoted numerous charity events, including raising funds for youth and soccer-related organizations like DC SCORES. In early 2010, he created Triple Charity Crush, an innovative online fundraiser and race-day event which raised $4000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other organizations.

Amy Nakamoto, DC SCORES Executive Director adds, "Keith Donohue has taken his commitment to the DC SCORES mission to new levels over the past three years. Unsolicited, Keith has helped directly or indirectly raise a lot of money, awareness and excitement for the work we are doing with youth in DC through soccer and creative writing. He makes being in the 'charity business' even more rewarding than it already is."

50Give is a venture of Positive Present®, an organization devoted to spreading inspiration through philanthropic projects, positive affirmations apparel and health & fitness-related channels. For more information on Keith Donohue, 50Give and Positive Present®, including sponsorship or charitable nonprofit submissions, please visit www.positivepresent.com or www.50give.com.

Nearly 440 Illinois National Guard Soldiers Return from a Yearlong Deployment; Story by Spc. Chasity Johnson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

MILAN, IL (05/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard held ceremonies May 14 in Milan, Galesburg and Macomb, to welcome home approximately 440 Soldiers who spent a year serving in Sinai, Egypt.

The sky was overcast, rain was drizzling and the temperature was approximately 50 degrees, but that didn't discourage family, friends and supporters of the servicemembers from attending the outdoor event in Milan.

"I'm so excited to see my son that I can hardly stand it," said Debbie England of Milan, mother of 1st Lt. Drew England of Milan, with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan.

"We are so proud of him and what he does," said England, as she stood smiling in the rain surrounded by members of her family who were holding colorful signs in honor of their Soldier's arrival home. "We're excited to welcome him back."

The Soldiers mobilized in May 2010 as a part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), the international peacekeeping force oversees the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

"My Soldiers were observing, reporting and verifying the compliance of the treaty," said Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Flossmoor, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery commander.

A sergeant in the 123rd said he enjoyed the opportunity to serve overseas with Soldiers he enlisted during his time as a recruiter, but he he wasn't prepared for the emotional toll the separation from his family would have on him.

"It was really hard being away from my family," said Master Sgt. Brian Habel of Milan, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan. "I never knew how hard it was on other people who have deployed until I did it myself. Being greeted by my family at this ceremony is all I could have asked for."

Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield, the Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Illinois National Guard, was in attendance at the ceremony in Milan to greet Soldiers and their families.

"Every time I participate in a welcome home ceremony it makes me proud to see all of the families come together," said Celletti. "It didn't matter that it was a rainy, cloudy day. The families were overjoyed as they greeted their families."

May is Cancer Research Month - a time for our country to pause and recognize the landmark accomplishments and life-saving promise of this critical research.  And, we are reminded during this month, that one of the best ways we can fight this epidemic and save lives is to continue to research cures, causes, treatments and prevention tools.

Despite the advancements that have been made in recent years, cancer remains one of the greatest health concerns in our nation.  It is estimated that in 2010, over 1.5 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in the United States, causing more than 550,000 deaths.  This makes cancer the second most common cause of death in this country. In Iowa in 2010, an estimated 6,400 Iowans will die from cancer, 14 times the number caused by auto fatalities.

In the past years, we have made great strides. Early detection has increased survival rates and new tools have greatly improved the five-year survival rate for many types of cancer, but there is still much work to be done.  That is why as Chairman of both the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds medical research, and as Chairman of the Committee that oversees health initiatives, I have actively fought to provide funding at both the national and local levels for cancer research, screening and prevention initiatives. In fiscal year 2011, the National Institutes of Health will fund $5.8 billion in cancer research.  And last year, I secured $370 million for cancer screening and prevention efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Out of those funds, Iowa runs the Iowa Gets Screened program and Care For Yourself programs, which provide free or low-cost screening for colon, breast and cervical cancers. Iowa schools and institutions such as the University of Iowa are also helping to lead the way in cancer research, and I have been honored to help secure nearly $21 million in NIH funding in 2010 for critical research into lung, prostrate and pancreatic cancer, as well as the role of nutrition in cancer prevention.

With Congress focusing on deficit reduction and cost-cutting it will be tempting for some to reduce funding for cancer research that can lead to better treatments, better screening tools and more effective prevention of cancer. But as a nation, we cannot afford to put transformative science on hold, particularly now, when strong investments in medical research could pay extraordinary dividends to our health and economic well-being. Even when considered in purely economic terms, it is estimated that every one percent decline in cancer mortality saves the United States economy $500 billion. I will fight to ensure that critical funding for cancer research is not cut.

For more information please feel free to contact any of my offices or visit my website at harkin.senate.gov.

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