The Purple Heart Project raises money for the annual “USC Quench The Fire Event” sponsoring RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy a.k.a. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) medical research.

Following the overwhelming display of force by the people involved in last year’s project, we wanted to expand the sentiment of what the Purple Heart Project means.

Respect, a sense of hope, the promise of a fight for a cure, the dream and confidence that friendship, love and devotion will one day bring us to a world where we would not have to watch those we care for feel pain.

Every one of us knew pain, in its many many forms, at one point or another of our lives. We all despaired and suffered in many ways, unique to each, and we all had to stand by helplessly as we watched someone we loved go through the same thing.

This year, your donations to the Purple Heart project don’t honor just one sentiment, or for any one person. This year your donation to the project can mean whatever your heart tells you it means and for whomever you take this step. You can make a donation to take an active step in fighting RSD. You can make a donation driven by the memory of your own encounter with pain. Or you can make a donation in honor of someone you care about who you know has struggled or is struggling with pain.

Whoever they are.

Should your donation represent a gift for someone, are made in honor of someone, with your help, we will be sending out personalized gift certificates to the people you choose to stand by, wishing they never know pain, notifying them of your donations.