NAFC and Rx Outreach Joins the National #GivingTuesday Movement to Encourage Supporting Free & Charitable Clinics and the Underserved this Giving Season

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics and Rx Outreach are joining #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season.

Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world. Taking place December 2, 2014 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving  – #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

"#GivingTuesday is a great opportunity and easy way to give back to those in need during this time of Thanksgiving" says NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux.  "Getting involved in #GivingTuesday is easy with many ways to show support of a cause or organization such as the NAFC and Free and Charitable Clinics."

NAFC partner Rx Outreach is also getting involved in giving back.  A regular supporter and sponsor of NAFC events, Rx Outreach continues to show its support of the NAFC and Free and Charitable Clinics by providing $10,000 for health and medical education and training scholarships for Free & Charitable clinics around the country.  

"#GivingTuesday provides an excellent opportunity for Rx Outreach to show our support for those who are working hard throughout the country to provide much needed care to the uninsured and underserved," says Michael Holmes, President Rx Outreach. "It is our hope that our $10,000 donation will be matched by both corporate and individual donors who realize as we do, the important work of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics and their members as they offer much needed health care in communities around the country.

The work of the NAFC and its clinics has never been more important.  Health care remains a top priority for many of our fellow citizens.  In 2019, after the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, there will still be more than 31 million uninsured Americans and even more people who are underinsured and underserved.  In fact, 70% of NAFC member clinics have reported that many patients who received health insurance coverage are returning to the clinics asking for health care because they can't afford the bills for their insurance, medication or doctor visits.  Support of the NAFC and the Free and Charitable Clinics found throughout the country remains critical to providing access to health care that so many need.

Those who are interested in joining the NAFC's #GivingTuesday initiative can visit: http://www.nafcclinics.org/blog/2014-11-13/givingtuesday-december-2nd-%E2%80%93-give-back-and-help-spread-word.  There are details and examples of how to get involved, including donating, volunteering, spreading the word, taking an #UNselfie with the NAFC template, tweeting and more!

For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow #GivingTuesday (https://twitter.com/GivingTues) and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter. You can follow the NAFC on social media as well by "liking" the NAFC on Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/NAFCClinics, or following @nafclinics on twitter and instagram.

About the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of more than 1,200 Free and Charitable Clinics and the people they serve in the United States.  Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of Free and Charitable Clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, as well as the patients served by Free and Charitable Clinics in communities throughout the nation. For more information, go to: www.nafcclinics.org.

About Rx Outreach, Inc.

Rx Outreach is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable medications to people in need. Through the Rx Outreach Program, low income uninsured patients have access to over 500 prescription medication strengths through a mail order pharmacy serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Rx Outreach is located in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

About #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 2, 2014. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

Website: www.givingtuesday.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday
Twitter: twitter.com/GivingTues