Cancer is a deadly disease with no known cure. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer will take 562,340 lives in 2009. Cancer was the second leading cause of death in 2006, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Use creative fundraisers to spread cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer research and for indivdiual cancer patients who are burdened by the expense of their disease.
Health Fair
Health fairs are common community events where organizations provide health information and screenings to the public. To hold this fundraiser, cooperation from local medical professionals will be necessary. Solicit physicians, hospital administrators, and health screening labs to donate their time and services to the cancer fundraiser.
Much of the information should be cancer-based. Informational booths and health services, however, can cover a wide variety of topics. Offer raffles, gift bags or other items to participants as a means of encouraging participation.
Charge admission to the health fair, and encourage donations by placing donation jars around the premises
Haircut
Haircuts for the cure are a great way to raise awareness of the disease and raise funds.
Start by asking local hairdressers and barbers to donate their time and cut hair for free. Next, seek business sponsors for the event who will donate in exchange for advertising space. Ask these busineses to pledge a certain amount of money per inch of hair cut or per person who recieves a haircut. Seek similar pledges from community members.
Encourage participation in the event by offering low-cost haircuts, entering every participant in a raffle for a particular item, or by advertising the pledges. Many people will participate if they feel they are donating to a cause without actually parting with any funds.
Grocery Bagging
Some businesses will allow volunteers to bag groceries or products for customers. These volunteers should wear brightly colored shirts that clearly explain that they are volunteering for a cause. Customers can then tip the volunteers for bagging their groceries. Consider helping patrons with their carts for an additional donation, also.
Charity Yard Sale
Gather items that are no longer wanted or needed from friends, coworkers, neighbors and other members of the community . Recycle these items at a charity yard sale where all proceeds go toward the charity.
Advertise the yard sale heavily in advance and make sure that plenty of signs are placed on the fundraising day. Label each item with a suggested donation, but allow customers to negotiate prices. Encourage visitors to donate generously by placing donation jars around the event. Place the 'cash register' near the door or the front of the event. Use signs, banners, and handouts to advertise the purpose of the yard sale.
Penny Drive
This simple door-to-door fundraiser works best when volunteers pull a wagon and keep a car or truck not far behind. Volunteers go door to door and solicit pennies from each residence. Gladly accept any money offered, but start by asking for pennies.
Explain the cause, and perhaps provide a handout to each residence that details the most recent cancer information and how it affects the local city or state. After the fundraiser, coins can be taken to a bank and deposited or exchanged for paper bills of larger denominations to reduce the bulk.
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