I feel like a lost a popularity contest

cookiegal

I feel like a lost a popularity contest

cookiegal

I hate fundraising. While a few people I didn't expect have pitched in for my team for my cancer walk....many who I expected did not. (I kind of felt this way after close relatives did not get me a wedding gift. )

Who are these people that have families that raise thousands of dollars?

I feel kind of rejected.

Cookie for a Cure 

Mantra

I can understand how you feel. I too was disappointed in some people who didn't donate. And surprised at others who did. But then I thought of it in a different way. Before I was diagnosed, my top charity was heart and stroke. I couldn't afford to donate to everyone who asked so I just donated to people raising funds for heart and stroke. However, now that I was diagnosed with BC, I only donate to Breast cancer runs, etc. So don't take it personally. We would all love to be able to donate to all of our friends and families causes, but it isn't realistic.

I remember thinking "maybe I'll just donate a couple of dollars" but then thought I would come across as cheap so I opted not to donate to any other causes except my own cause at that time. Be proud of what you did accomplish . ..  every dollar counts.

Completely off topic but, last year when my dog passed away, I sent an email to people who knew him. I was SHOCKED to receive donation cards in his name. People had donated funds to vet colleges, human society etc. I also received sympathy cards. I felt horrible because I had never done this before for anyone. . . had never even thought of it and never knew people did such a thing. 

cookiegal

we are doing better...I lowered my goal and the team goal...so it looks better! Plus some of my fam kicked in. It's funny I think people are scared to give 5 or 10 bucks, that they will look cheap, but honestly even a 1 dollar donation shows people care.

Laurie08

cookie- I like to think the economy has something to do with it.  I have been walking for awhile, this year will be my 12th year.  I have never raised less than 500 dollars. last year when I was diagnosed I raised almost 1000.  This year with two weeks to go to the walk I have gotten 100.  It is what it is I guess.  At first I was disappointed but, hey, my wallet is tight too so I understand.  But I totally agree with the 1 dollar donation to show that you care.  But I think mist would be embarrassed to do so little.  It's tough- all the way around.

annafrederik

You know, it's a funny thing, but I used to be a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. I did it by phone and door to door for quite a few years while I was still able. People are giving less and less. I personally think people are sick and tired of giving money to what seems like a lost cause.  With the billions raised are we really any closer to a cure than we were in the 70's or 80's? I personally don't think so....but that's my personal opinion. I know myself, no longer give to any cancer causes and I'm at the end stages of this disease so I want the money to go to research more than anybody. But the way THEY decide to spend these dollars doesn't sit right with me. What I see in my personal clinic just bugs the hell out of me...every new patient gets this lovely (sarcasm) backpack, stainless steel water bottle, booklets, gift certificates, sit in nice leather recliners for their chemo....it's so irritating. Not that it isn't nice, but really? Is that how they should be spending collected money? I don't think it's people intentionally wanting to hurt your feelings. Maybe they just feel the same way I do. Until that money goes where it should, I'm not giving any. My neighbour and I were discussing this the other day as a matter of fact (he has prostate cancer) and I'll use his words "they've collected enough money to have cured this sh*t ten times over". I completely agreed with him.

208sandy

I used to give to the American Cancer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society and when I was diagnosed three years ago the ACS was NO help at all (I wasn't back in Canada till a year ago so I can't speak to that) - so now I give to the Terry Fox Foundation the reason being is they give 85% of their money to RESEARCH - IMO that is where the "cure" is going to come from not from "pink".

cookiegal

Y'know ultimately I would prefer to be raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, but I also wanted to participate in a community event. I do think ACS provides some help locally and funds some research (not locally).

I do not like their "more pink for your green" slogan this year. I think it was a very bad choice, like they are trying to out Komen Komen. 

I have thought about maybe organizing a benefit for BCRF, locally, maybe next year. 

otter

Cookie, I agree with you about BCRF.  There's a really strong branch of the BCRF here, and they are very visible -- there's even a modestly pink-and-white "vanity" license plate we can buy that sends the extra $50 to the regional branch of BCRF.  They use the money to fund research at the cancer center where I'm going for my treatment.

ACS was good to me, on the local level.  They gave me (gave me -- free) a mast bra, an Amoena prosthesis, a nice (but not "me") wig, and a bunch of pretty cotton scarves that I wore a lot during chemo.  I gave back what I didn't use at all, and they were happy to have the stuff returned for distribution to someone else.  I've given healthy amounts for other people's ACS walks, but now I'm getting flooded with reminder cards in the mail.

I am getting stingy.  If an organization doesn't seem responsive or is out-of-touch, or if a representative p*sses me off, I won't pull out my checkbook anymore.  And, as for trying to raise money on behalf of organizations -- forget it.  I can't ask people for money.  Never could.  I had enough trouble trying to sell Girl Scout cookies when I was a youth.  (That was back when parents didn't help and only bought a couple of boxes themselves.)

I agree with the others here that people are hesitant to hand out money lately.  Even if they aren't hurting for money personallly, the talking heads on TV keep reminding everybody that the economy has tanked, we are drowning, and there's no rescue ship in sight.  It's pretty hard for people to be optimistic and generous when that's all they hear, all day long.  Gloom and doom.  <sigh>

"More pink for your green"?  Yuck.

otter

cookiegal

thanks for the insight Otter. I have no idea what the heck ACS was going for with that tag line...it's AWFUL. Not because I hate pink, it just refers to nothing, or perhaps Komen obliquely (sp?).

FireKracker

Yes!!!!! they Komen,Avon and ACS alone have collected enuf $$$$$ to have cured this giant monster 10x over.....

catbill

Several people asked me to donate for their walks this year.  I guess they think  because I had BC, I  would want to donate to everyone walking.  I had to choose, and I hope the others weren't disappointed.  It was a matter of finances.

cookiegal

My walk was actually a lot of fun, though several people didn't show up. I guess people say yes, but don't really mean it.

Still I am glad I did it. 

lago

I know this thread is old but I just want to say last year I raised over $3300, my team of women I met on BCO raised a total of over $13000. I have a small family so not a lot raised by them. I raised most of the money on facebook. Many of my facebook friends I've known for several years but have never met in person. We met on another forum like here or a design forum (I'm a designer). Some are people I graduated high school with and reconnected after our reunion.

I was only expecting to raise $300.

Also many people raise lots of money through fundraisers selling baked goods, crafts they make, etc at church events etc. It's not all through family.

Moderators

Lago, thanks for sharing that. We would love to put that energy into fundraising for BCO -- any suggestions?