Author: Mikaela Frigillana

SEATTLE — Pop singer and humanitarian activist Lady Gaga brings hope to disadvantaged groups with her work for charitable organizations over the years including Oxfam, MAC AIDS Fund’s VIVA Glam campaign and Born This Way Foundation. Gaga stressed the importance of kindness at the 2016 U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting in downtown Indianapolis with the Dalai Lama and a large number of the nation’s city mayors. On divisive issues such as race, nationality, sexual orientation and class, Gaga spoke out saying, “None of this can matter anymore.” In 2015, Gaga joined some of the world’s most influential female celebrities,…

SEATTLE — Over the years, 24-year-old musician Miley Cyrus has used her public status to help others. In 2014, she founded The Happy Hippie Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to fight injustice facing youth, women and gender and sexual minorities in America. However, her generosity does not stop at the national level. Cyrus’ endless giving to global causes, including Amnesty International, Red Cross and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, has served great numbers of people and is certainly worth acknowledging. In 2015, Cyrus recorded a video featuring Johnzo West singing “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” from “Chimes of…

SEATTLE — Showing his philanthropic side, new father and award-winning musician John Legend champions global poverty charities. Focusing on impoverished African countries such as Ghana, Legend supports organizations that assist in the fight against HIV/AIDS and help curb the millions of avoidable deaths from hunger and other various diseases. Legend found himself strikingly moved by Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs’ book, “The End of Poverty,” and the author’s own organization, Millennium Promise, which works to combat poverty in African villages. In 2007, Legend launched the Show Me Campaign, which draws on Millennium Promise’s philosophy to implement development programs that address the lack…

SNOHOMISH, Washington — Ariana Grande is known for her powerhouse vocals, as well as her classy style and beauty. One can almost always spot the 23-year-old wearing high heels, her signature high ponytail and high-class makeup. Grande recently collaborated with MAC Cosmetics, creating a small, exclusive line of lip products as the brand’s 2016 Viva Glam girl. All proceeds go to the MAC AIDS Fund (MAF), which supports people affected by HIV and AIDS worldwide. MAF is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting communities and organizations that help to prevent the disease through various educational…

SEATTLE, Washington — As a renowned musician, fashion designer and philanthropist, Rihanna is truly a triple-threat. Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), founded in 2012, aims to improve quality of life for communities around the world in areas of health, education, arts and culture. Additionally, Rihanna has involved herself in numerous other causes, including her own Believe Foundation and organizations combatting HIV/AIDS. Last December, Rihanna held her second annual Diamond Ball at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar and raised more than $3 million for CLF. Rihanna established CLF in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, who she said inspired her…

NAIROBI, Kenya — Tom Holland, who stars as Peter Parker in the upcoming blockbuster “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” is also an avid supporter of charities. The new Spider-Man is saving the lives of the sick and his newfound superhero powers have certainly translated over to his personal life. Holland serves as a stem cell donor, as well as an ambassador for The Lunchbowl Network, an organization based in Kingston that provides funding for food programs in the capital of Kenya. The Lunchbowl Network began operation in 2006 and has since provided a food funding program for nearly 500 orphaned and vulnerable children…

SNOHOMISH, Washington — Shay Mitchell, the actress famous for her role on Pretty Little Liars, doubles as a philanthropist. From partnering with the U.N. in support of World Humanitarian Day and traveling to Kenya with the Free the Children organization to speaking at charity events alongside other renowned activists, Mitchell’s humanitarian works are certainly worth mentioning. In 2014, Mitchell participated in We Day UK in London, England, on stage with host Prince Harry, and the notable Malala Yousafzai. Every year, WE Day brings together numerous speakers and award-winning performers to thousands of young people, celebrating their contributions to charitable organizations…

As one fifth of the pop group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello is no stranger to the spotlight. Lately, she has used her platform for more than just writing hit songs and selling out stadiums, channeling her efforts toward charitable causes, particularly a partnership with Save the Children, an international organization which promotes children’s rights and provides relief in developing countries. This past October, Cabello designed a t-shirt for the partnership. Save the Children invests in children every day, in times of crisis and for the future in 120 countries, including the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Greater Middle…

SEATTLE — Crowned as “Favorite Humanitarian” by People’s Choice earlier this year, the famous TV-personality has certainly lived up to her last name, which oddly and fittingly enough, describes just the kind of person she is — generous. Throughout her years as an on-screen host, Ellen DeGeneres has lent a hand to global causes, making endless contributions to various charities that support poverty, hunger and major diseases. What makes Ellen DeGeneres so generous? As the recipient of the humanitarian award, DeGeneres chose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the beneficiary of the $200,000 donation associated with the prize. St. Jude’s…

SEATTLE — A number of technological innovations for women and children have been highlighted in the health department. This is to ensure safer deliveries and prevent neonatal deaths, one of the leading causes of child deaths in the world, according to UNICEF. Some of the new advancements include the Odon Device, chlorhexidine and a bracelet that monitors newborns’ body temperature. 1. Odon Device The Odon Device was developed by the World Health Organization and introduced by Jorge Odon. It is a new, low-cost instrument to deliver the fetus when conflicts in labor arise. The device is made of a film-like polyethylene…