Your Beacon Purchase Makes a Difference!
In the spirit of bringing light – and happiness! – to gardens everywhere, PanAmerican Seed donates a percentage of its global Beacon Impatiens sales to a less-widely known charitable organization each year.
For the 2023 garden season, PanAmerican Seed is supporting two charities fighting Friedreich’s ataxia, a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder affecting one in 40,000 people worldwide. Both the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA - US) and Friedreich Ataxia Research Association (fara - Australia) are organizations dedicated to pursuing scientific research leading to treatments and cures for FA. During the 2023 gardening season, Beacon Impatiens will build awareness and show support for those living with this disease.
“PanAmerican Seed is thrilled each year to give back and strengthen the human necessity to care and support those in need in our communities.”
– Sarah Makiejus, Marketing Manager for PanAmerican Seed
Symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia typically begin in childhood between the ages of 5 and 18. FA leads to loss of muscle coordination, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss and slurred speech. It can also develop into scoliosis, diabetes and serious heart conditions. Although there has been significant progress made towards treatments, today there is no cure.
The FARA (US) Mission is to marshal and focus the resources and relationships needed to cure Friedreich’s ataxia by raising funds for research, promoting public awareness, and aligning scientists, patients, clinicians, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations dedicated to curing FA and related diseases. FARA is a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
Visit www.curefa.org
At fara (Australia), their mission is to support the FA Community by raising funds for and aiding research into treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia. In Australia in 2023, fara will promote local garden retailers and nurseries where Beacon Impatiens are stocked. fara has contributed over $4.5 million to FA research in Australia and overseas since its inception in 2003.
Visit www.fara.org.au