Human Tribe Project

Silver Tribe Tags Are Back!!!

Human Tribe Project — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:29:23 GMT

For those of you that have ordered silver Tribe Tags over the last month, we finally have them back in stock and will be shipping them out over the next few days. We sincerely apologize for the delay and we thank you for your patience. If you'd like tracking information on your silver Tribe Tag order, please email us at info@humantribeproject.com.

Thank you, Human Tribe Project

Temporarily Out of Stock of Silver Tribe Tags

Human Tribe Project — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:57:27 GMT

I'm so sorry to report that we are temporarily out of stock of silver Tribe Tags. We won't have them back in stock for another 2-3 weeks. But, if you order a silver Tribe Tag, your monetary gift will still be sent to your Tribe beneficiary. It will just take a little longer than normal to receive the tags. Please contact me directly at jaclyn@humantribeproject.com regarding any questions or refunds. We are so very truly sorry for this inconvenience.

Sincerely, Jaclyn Foutz Human Tribe Project

Matt's Personal Take on Human Tribe Project

Human Tribe Project — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:31:30 GMT

When we launched Human Tribe Project a year and a half ago, we knew how helpful it would be for family and friends to support a loved one, but we didn't realize how helpful it would be for us personally. But, several months ago Matt's daughter (my niece), Mia was diagnosed with brain cancer. Princess Mia's Tribe Page has been a life line ever since. Here are Matt's own words about Human Tribe Project:

I want to talk about Human Tribe Project again for a minute. Last night's crowd was easily a couple of hundred people. It's impossible to know because you overpaid for the door fee, but for almost the whole night it was difficult to get around through the crowd. We had friends and family fly in from as far as Ohio, Colorado and Virginia. I saw faces I haven't seen in a decade. I met people I've never spoken too. I was surrounded by the most important people in our lives but also by people I met for the very first time.

So what does that have to do with Human Tribe Project? When Steve and I came up with the name for HTP, the name came to symbolize the human connection that runs through us all and makes us who we are. The ability to connect with strangers based on a primal, hard wired answer to a call of distress in a fellow person. It meant that we are all part of this universal tribe and if given the opportunity to connect, we would rally together, even for someone we didn't know.

The people that came last night that have a personal relationship with Mia were a very small minority. The people that came that have a personal relationship with BOTH Sandra and I would have fit in the kitchen. The vast majority of you last night barely know us or didn't know us at all before this all started.

But through HTP and Mia's page and blog, you have been invited into our struggle. Into our nightmare. It's not like reading the paper or seeing us on TV. It's much more personal than that. We've opened our lives to you all and asked you to take part in healing our daughter.

Last night's event proved to me that Human Tribe Project works. It's bigger than the sum of the parts. It's not about selling necklaces or blogging or posting cute pictures of puppies. It's about joining the human race and tapping into our universal spirit. What we created here is special.

I don't mean this statement to be controversial. Were it not for HTP, last night would not have been very successful. That's not taking anything away from what Becky and Chris did. It's about the why. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook that didn't attend last night. That's nothing against them. Some aren't from here and some were busy. But I promoted the event much more heavily on Facebook and There wasn't a single person that attended last night that was a friend of mine on Facebook but not a member of Mia's tribe.

Think about that for a minute. Facebook has changed the world since it launched by connecting people. Long lost friends, far away relatives, former colleagues. HTP isn't on the radar yet. It's an infant and totally unknown website. And we were able to create a connection with our guests last night that brought you out to a fundraiser of for all intents and purposes, strangers.

Hot damn, that feels good! We will change the world. And when we do it will be for the better. HTP has changed my life and the lives of my family and it has given my daughter the most precious gift. I'm gushing here (and I realize that my 1 minute of talking about HTP expired about 60 ago) but I think it's vital to point out the why.

Why do you care? Why do you read this blog every day? I believe the reason is that we all want to help. We're in a world where all people really want to do is make a difference. There are so many things that we can't affect or are beyond our control. But with HTP you have the opportunity to contribute in healing and supporting a fellow person's struggle. It's so very, very powerful and all I can say is thank you for helping. Thank you for participating. Thank you for joining Human Tribe Project.

Ok, minute is up.

Happy Anniversary!

Human Tribe Project — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:42:37 GMT

Last week marked the first anniversary of Human Tribe Project’s website launch. We didn’t have any big celebration but we did take time to think about all that has happened in the past year. On a personal level, my life changed dramatically when my son was born at the end of March (which explains why I haven’t posted a blog since March, sorry). For the website, we have grown to 4,500 users and over 200 Tribes and have gifted almost $60,000. For the individual Tribe beneficiaries, many have gone through cancer treatment and come out cancer free, others have successfully rehabilitated themselves after car accidents, some are no longer with us and many are still fighting with the help and support of their wonderful Tribe Members.

A lot can change in a year; this year proves it. But, as the saying goes, life is the journey, not the destination. It’s what happens in between the anniversaries that means the most. So, instead of looking forward to our second anniversary, I’m focusing on our Tribes and how Human Tribe Project can help them support their loved ones. I welcome your feedback and suggestions!

Lessons from the Today Show

Human Tribe Project — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:19:40 GMT

A few weeks ago, the Today Show’s Nancy Snyderman did a piece on 7 Ways to Simplify Your Life and how simplification can improve your health and well-being. The first thing on her list? Give back!

Giving back might be a strange suggestion for a medical expert to give on how to improve your health and well being, but plenty of other experts have weighed in on the health benefits of altruism. Whether you believe the reports that giving back makes your heart grow stronger, slows the aging process or just gives you a “helper’s high,” there is plenty of evidence that giving to others can be good for yourself.

In the midst of the aftermath of the hurricanes in Haiti and Chile, and local problems affecting our own communities, there is never a shortage of places, people or organizations to give back to. Oftentimes however, there is an equally great need to give back to a loved one in need. Human Tribe Project is here to make it as easy as possible to give to your loved one facing a health crisis. Who knew that buying a Tribe Tag could not only support your loved one but improve your health as well!

Whether you are a member of a Tribe or not, take a moment to give back to someone. You’ll feel so good about it, you won’t even realize the benefits you have reaped yourself!

Feb 17th HEAL dinner

Human Tribe Project — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:44:12 GMT

For those of you in the Phoenix area, please join one of our Tribe Members as she raises money for the Happily Ever After League at Wildflower Bread Company in North Scottsdale from 5-8pm on February 17th. Just bring the attached brochure and 15% of the cost of your dinner will be donated back to HEAL....

Happy New Year

Human Tribe Project — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:36:12 GMT

It seems natural to begin each new year with a look back at the one that just ended. 2009 was a rough year for many of us. The economy tanked and however directly you were affected, we’ve all had to tighten our bootstraps. It was a rough one for me personally as well. My friend Kindra died in January and my grandfather died a few months later. Friends got sick, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, friends’ parents passed away . . . .

This last year had its fair share of heartache. Yet, with each tragedy, we were able to learn and live life a little better because of it.

2009 also had plenty of joy! Four of my close friends all had healthy happy babies this year and a handful more are pregnant now. New relationships have blossomed, family has celebrated and Human Tribe Project was launched.

It is impossible to remember the past year without thinking of the people we’ve shared it with. Some are no longer with us but most have helped us make it through. It is these relationships that carry us along, make the sad times bearable and the good times better. These are the relationship that make up our Tribe and help us along the way.

To my Tribe, thank you for your love and support this year. I’m looking forward to whatever 2010 has in store for us all!

The Wellness Community

Human Tribe Project — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:24:55 GMT

From my experience, when an otherwise healthy person finds out she has cancer, she goes through a multitude of emotions. Disbelief, denial, fear, anger, frustration, depression and loneliness to name a few. Apparently, these emotions are all very common. And, if the patient is able to express them, they are actually all very healthy. The trick is to eventually move beyond these negative feelings to focus on the positive. This isn’t always easy to do and it’s definitely not easy to do alone.

That’s where websites like Human Tribe Project and organizations like The Wellness Community can help.

Human Tribe Project allows you to connect with and receive support from your loved ones and your community. It’s a forum that lets loved ones remind you how important and loved you are. And, it’s a way for your community to show support by purchasing Tribe Tags to help fundraise to alleviate the cost of treatment.

The Wellness Community provides a different type of support. It’s a nationwide organization with local chapters in over 50 cities. Its mission is to provide support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer. All services offered are free to cancer patients and caregivers. Instead of connecting you with loved ones, it connects you with strangers, but strangers that know exactly what you are going through because they are often going through the same thing themselves. It can be hard to open yourself up to a support group of this type but when you do, the rewards are great. Oftentimes, the best way to lift your spirits is by helping to lift someone else’s.

These two organizations may take different approaches, but both are coming together to “connect and celebrate everyone touched by cancer” this Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Cancer Connections Walk and Hope Café in Phoenix, Arizona. If you are in Phoenix, please check out the [website] (http://www.twccaz.org/events/cancerconnectionswalk.aspx) and join Human Tribe Project in its support of The Wellness Community. When we can all come together like this, we can all stay positive and have hope for the future.

Strong Beyond Belief

Human Tribe Project — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:33:39 GMT

I had the privilege of meeting many of our Tribe Members yesterday and spending time getting to know three of our youngest Tribe Beneficiaries and their families. Whether they had lymphoma, leukemia or tumors, these children were just children. They watched television shows, made crafts, liked to play with gadgets and loved ice cream. They were beautiful, wonderful and happy, despite whatever was happening within their bodies.

Their parents were equally wonderful. They were all very positive and making the most of what life has given them.

I also got the chance to meet the siblings of these children. All three have a brother or sister - beautiful, healthy children that require equal attention from their parents and families. It dawned on me that these families more to handle than just a sick child. They have to be strong enough for their sick child, their healthy child and others in their life. These parents are not only wonderful, but they are strong beyond belief.

I want to thank them all for letting me get to know them yesterday and let them, and all of the rest of our Tribes, know that Human Tribe Project is here to help. We can’t begin to fully understand all you are going through, but we have been through some hard times too, and we want to be here for all of you. Please let us know if there is anything more we can do.

Drivers Wanted

Human Tribe Project — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:25:03 GMT

It’s not magic.

Human Tribe Project isn’t a miraculous website that just sends money to people in need. It’s not the saving grace of sufferers and it is definitely not a last resort. Think of it as a Flintstone car; you get in with a place in mind to go and then you move your feet to get there. We are powered by you.

It can’t be emphasized enough that we are not a non-profit organization. It scares people. But in the scheme of things, we aren’t really a for-profit either. Our tax status is as such, so we have the ability to sell the Tribe Tags and direct the money to the specified individual. According to current tax code, it is not legal to sell a product and donate the money tax-free. We would have to pay tax on the entire transaction in order to make it work for the IRS but unfortunately, that doesn’t work for Human Tribe Project and it definitely wouldn’t work for the Human Tribe Members. Human Tribe Project doesn’t rely on outside donations to pay the electric bill and we don’t hold annual fundraisers in high society venues to glad-hand powerfully rich people. We are not a non-profit organization.

That’s where the other part of the “project” comes into play. Will it work? I don’t know. It’s part of the excitement of doing it in the first place. Is there enough trust in the world to sustain a business that is not veiled by the sacred letters “NPO”? Do people have enough motivation in general, to power the vehicle that could bring healing to the aide of a friend? I don’t know. But I like to think they do. I also like to think they can see the sense in having the power to direct their money where they want it to go instead of it being swallowed and rendered into pennies before it hits its target. Please don’t get me wrong. There is a place for everyone at the table. Research needs money to solve the problems that we face but not in lieu of the people facing them personally.

Non-profit organizations are their own worst enemy. What would happen to the organization for cancer research if a cure was discovered? That would be a glorious day but there would no longer be a need for that organization. Our business model works because there will always be people paying for treatments and other expenses related to health crisis and there will always be people wanting to drive the car that brings them answers; Even if they have to use their own feet for power.

There’s a reason people turn to Human Tribe Project for help--It works. But being off and running doesn’t mean that it won’t stop. It stops when motivation is gone, it stops when they are not fresh in your mind, it stops when your legs get tired, it stops when you do. As long as there are people suffering from disease and bills, Human Tribe Project will have the vehicle ready and waiting for them to come to the rescue. Motivation is not an option. Drivers wanted.