Making a Difference: How to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Patients and Research

Image: Daniel Mayer via Wikimedia Commons

There’s something to be said for all of the brave women and men making strides against breast cancer every day. For many, the challenging battle is made easier with the assistance of outstanding organizations and everyday people supporting breast cancer survivors by fighting for a cure and offering financial aid for breast cancer patients.

If you’ve thought about making a difference for someone you know and love with breast cancer–or even people you’ve never met–you can get it done and there’s no better time than October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to begin your effort.

Raising Money Helps Catch Breast Cancer Early

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women with the exception of skin cancer. While breast cancer at any stage can be treated, if caught early, doctors have a better chance of saving patients.

Advancements in research and treatment over the past couple of decades have helped breast cancer death rates decline significantly. Just between 1999 and 2005, female breast cancer incidence rates decreased by 2.2 percent per year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Currently, there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States as of 2009 and supporters are looking for ways to increase this number.

Both research and treatment rely heavily on funding and awareness to continue to catch breast cancer early. The good news is that you can play a significant role in getting this job done.

Ideas for Raising Money for Breast Cancer Victims and Research

Breast cancer awareness supporters can play an active role in raising money to fight the disease. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved but don’t know where to start, here are some ideas to consider:

1. Fundraise via your own community event: If you want to hold your own fundraiser, consider initiating a yard sale, raffle, fashion show, bowl-a-thon, bake sale, car wash, bingo event, walk-a-thon, treasure hunt, cook-off, community picnic or any number of additional ways to raise money. You could also enlist the help of a local celebrity who is willing to host an event for the cause.

2. Join the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Another way to raise money for breast cancer is getting a group together to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. You can ask people and businesses in your community to sponsor you and your group as race participants. Up to 75 percent of the net income from each local race will stay in your  community to fund breast health education, cancer screenings and treatment projects.

3. Donate to a charity: Another great way to raise money for breast cancer is to donate to an already-established charity such as the American Cancer Society or The Pink Fund.

4. Volunteer with a local organization or agency: You could consider volunteering for a cancer organization or other agency in your community and participate in their fundraisers.

Help with Starting a Fundraiser to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

If you want to make your own attempt at a larger fundraising effort, you don’t have to do it all alone. Here are some ideas for reaching out to others:

1. Talk to local organizations, agencies or churches: You can check with local foundations or agencies, including the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, to find out how they might support a fundraising effort in your town. Also, your local churches may be able to offer ideas and/or jump on board with you, while providing you with the credibility needed for people to trust your event.

2. Connect with local retailers: Local retailers have been known to help people raffle items like televisions, or even cars to raise money for a special cause. Try connecting with the human resources department or administrative office to garner support. You could also contact your local Retailers Association to connect with retailers who might be willing to help.

3. Ask friends and family for help: If you’re looking to organize a fundraiser, it’s good to enlist the help of friends and family. They not only can come up with great ideas, but assist you financially if you need initial money to start your fundraiser.

4. Work with the media: Human-interest stories are always needed by the media. So if you’ve managed to get your community involved, get additional support from the local media like radio and TV to promote your event or ongoing cause.

Of course, starting your own fundraiser requires a lot of organization, including developing an idea that will resonate with the community, finding the right location, date and time for the event, setting a budget, sending out invitations, advertising appropriately and enlisting help to pull it off.

But if you’re prepared to take on this amazing task then your community is sure to thank you for your willingness to support breast cancer awareness and actively raise funds for such an important cause.