Latinas Contra Cancer Walk Against Cancer

Special Events

Special Events - Class Registration
FUNDRAISING HINTS

Saturday May 7, 2011 for Latinas Contra Cancer Mother's Day Walk 2011
Alviso Marina, Alviso, California

This Year, Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer is encouraging walkers to "champions" the fight against cancer and raise pledges online. Walkers in similar events have raised literally millions of dollars using online pledging. You can raise big money too. 100% of proceeds go to Latinas Contra Cancer.

Never raised money before? Believe us, it's a LOT easier to raise pledges than you think! The secret is to ASK. Ask, ask, ASK. Ask everybody you know, and you will be surprised how generous people will be to the cause. Remember, you are not asking for money for yourself, you are asking for money to help Latinas Contra Cancer educate and raise awareness, help support people with cancer as they battle the disease, give their families emotional support and links to resources.

So get out there and contact everybody you know to pledge in your name. Read on for ways to do it...

Research shows that the number one reason people do not donate is that no one ever asked them! Whether you are an individual fundraiser or are fundraising with a team, the goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and to remember you are not doing this alone. Thousands of women, men, and children will contribute to Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer this year. The bigger the network, the more money we'll raise.

Below are some great fundraising tips to get you started in spreading your personal passion for Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer..

Fundraising Tips for Individuals <Top>

Never raised money before? It's actually probably easier than you think. Here's how.

First step: Sign Up online to Register to Walk at
http://www.regathon.com/lcc/walker-registration.htm

Email your Friends and Family
Send emails to everyone you know (see samples below). You might be surprised as donations start rolling in.

Make a List and Check It Twice
Make a list of potential donors. Include everyone you know. Start by sponsoring yourself on your walk paper and by making a donation to yourself online. Your gift will set the tone for others to give. (You can print a walk paper from this Web site).

One a Day
Ask one person each day to make a contribution. If you get four $25 gifts, you will have raised $100 in less than a week. Don’t be afraid to ask for larger gifts. Cancer is an issue that affects everyone, and most people are happy to donate. Ask people if they would like to donate in the name of a friend or loved one who has battled cancer.

Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $50 donation could turn into $100. Inquire with your personnel/HR department and remind your supporters about matching gifts.

The Mighty e-Pen
Send an email to friends, family, and co-workers asking for their support. Let them know if you are paddling in honor of someone. Explain why the cause is important to you; heartfelt messages get the best response. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to people who donate.

Talk It Up
Ask for a few minutes on the agenda of any meetings you will be attending. Explain why you are walking and ask for everyone’s support. If you are dedicating your efforts to someone you know. Tell their story.

Offer Food
Offer healthy treats to your friends, family and co-workers for a small gift to your cause through Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer. The best way to most people's wallet is through their stomach.

Clean House
Clean out your garage or home and set up a Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer donation booth in exchange for your finds. Ask your friends and neighbors to donate their stuff to you, explaining that all proceeds go to your cause.

Celebrate
If a birthday or holiday is coming up, tell your family and friends that in lieu of a gift, you would like them to make a donation to your cause through Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer.

Pin It Up
Post your walk paper on the bulletin board at church or temple, in the office, at the gym, or at school. Make sure to highlight your name, phone number, email address, and team Web page address.

Send the Message
Change the recording on your voicemail or answering machine to mention Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer and how callers can make a donation. Then, when you call people back, ask them to sponsor you. When emailing friends, add a “PS” asking for their support.

Fundraising Tips for Teams <Top>

Walking as a team? Team-based pledgeraising can be very effective by using the power of the team to promote your walk. Here's how:

Challenge Each Other

Hold weekly challenges within a company that has two or more teams. Drive your fundraising effort through healthy competition.

Go Casual
Dress down for a cause. Arrange for your office or school to allow people to dress casual in support of Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer by giving a dollar or two or even five.

Reduce Stress
Find a masseuse through a health club, training school, or chiropractor’s office. Have them come to your business and provide five or 10-minute neck and shoulder massages for a gift of $10. Have employees sign up beforehand, and the masseuse will come right into their office.

Give Ribbons
Give out ribbons for a gift of $1 or more. Employees can take home a ribbon in honor of a friend or loved one. Create your own wall to list the names of these people.

Give Rewards
Ask your boss to offer an extra vacation day to the team member who raises the most money. If your team is the highest fundraising team within the company, see if everyone on the team can have a day off.

Give Prizes
Get some great prizes donated to your team. Try gift certificates at a restaurant or spa. Then auction them off to the highest bidders.

Honor Loved Ones
Create quilt squares in honor of, or in memory of people. Accept varying donations for different sizes: a 4” square for $5, an 8” square for $15, and a 12” square for $25. Display the quilt in the lobby at work, school, health club, or place of worship. If you can’t use fabric, try something else like card stock.

How to raise $1,500 in just six weeks: <Top>

Think it can't be done? Think again. Hundreds of thousands of walkers all over the U.S. raise that much every year to fight cancer. You can do it too!!! Here's how.

Week 1:

Take the first step: Sponsor yourself for $25.
Send out at least 25 emails to friends and family (ask for a minimum donation of $20) = $500.
(Note: the AVERAGE pledge in most similar events is $40. $20 is do-able by just about everybody.)

Week 2:

Follow up on your fundraising letters and emails.
Ask four additional family members (minimum donation of $25 each) = $100.
Ask five friends to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $125.
Ask three co-workers to sponsor you (minimum of $25 each) = $75.
Check with your company's human resource department to see if they offer matching gifts.

Week 3:

Ask three additional co-workers to sponsor you (minimum donation of $25 each) = $75.
Plan a fundraising party with at least 25 people (e.g. 50% of split cover charge of $20 for a happy hour) = $250.

Week 4:

Ask eight neighbors to sponsor you (minimum donation of $10 each) = $80

Week 5:

Ask your boss for a company contribution = $100

Week 6:

Ask three businesses you frequent for a donation (e.g. doctor, dentist, dry cleaners, etc., $50 each) = $150

VOILA! $1500 YOU CAN DO IT!

Sample Emails <Top>
Here is one sample of emails that work. More are coming soon. Got a great one of your own to share with us? Send it to lccwalk@regathon.com

Hola Friends and Family,

I hope this finds you all well and having a great 2011!

I have been working with a great non-profit organization called Latinas Contra Cancer , which provides unrivaled educational and outreach services to battle cancer, particularly in the Latino community.

Part of the work I'm doing with Latinas Contra Cancer is to participate in the 7th annual benefit walk called "Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer" on May 7, 2011. The event is raising money to raise awareness about cancer, particularly in the Latino community. The course will be in spectacular history Alviso, along the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause. I am excited about this awesome opportunity to join 1000+ walkers and give back to the community!

I am sending this to you to see if you can support me by entering a pledge - any amount is incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated. If you can't - that's okay, I understand - your moral support is welcome also!

Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges that each of us face.

Latinas Contra Cancer is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can to help the environment through "Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer". If you can, please go to the following link, select me as your walker to sponsor, and make a pledge.

http://www.regathon.com/lcc/sponsor.htm

Even a couple of collars would help, whatever you can spare . . .

Also, would you mind spreading the word to your friends & family & coworkers etc. by forwarding this e-mail! If even 500 people pledged $20, that would be an amazing gesture of support for individuals in need.

Also, if you can join us in Alviso, come on out and cheer me on, on May 7, 2011. Here are the directions:

http://www.regathon.com/lcc/map.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will make a difference.

Warmly, Paula Martinez

When someone made a pledge to Lisa, she sends a thank you email to her walk sponsor.

Dear <pledger>

THANK YOU for making a pledge to my walk in the 7th annual Latinas Contra Cancer Walk Against Cancer on Saturday May 7, 2011. 1000+ walkers are expected to walk with me from 9am-10am along the amazing Alviso waterfront. We expect to see egrets and blue heron and all manner of birds as we walk. Local residents are going to be lining the walk route and cheering us on as we raise money for a very important cause. Please consider joining us and cheering us at 9am Saturday morning! I would love to give you a high five and a hug as I walk past you.

ALSO, please join me at the big Health Fair after the walk in the spectacular Alviso Marina from 10am-2pm. The 4-hour Health Fair runs from 10am-2pm, and features free kayak rides, Farmers Market, Gardner Mobile Health Clinic Van, a big raffle and the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™, an interactive walk-through display that gives people a close up and educational look at colon cancer.

Directions here: http://www.regathon.com/lcc/map.htm

So thanks again for the awesome pledge! Hugs for helping me battle cancer!

Warmly, Paula Martinez

Another letter from another participant:

Hi Friends,

On Saturday May 7, 2011 I will be walking in the 7th annual benefit walk "Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer" to raise awareness for cancer, especially in the Latino community. 100% of proceeds from pledges I raise go directly to Latinas Contra Cancer. The course will be along scenic historic Alviso, along the waterfront, and back to my starting point to raise money for the cause. I am excited about walking in this new event to raise money for the cause!

I am asking everyone support me by entering a pledge!

My goal is to set a fund-raising record of $1000 before I hit the starting gate on May 7, 2011. Since this is my first time walking, I am setting my fundraising goal high.

Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer is a collaborative effort to enhance awareness and education about several causes, diseases and challenges each of us face.

Latinas Contra Cancer is fighting an important battle for an important cause. I want to raise as much as I can for the cause through "Latinas Contra Cancer's Walk Against Cancer". Please go to the following link asap, select me as your walker to sponsor, and make a pledge. Even a couple of dollars would help, whatever you can spare.

http://www.regathon.com/lcc/sponsor.htm

Also, would you mind spreading the word to your friends & family & coworkers etc. by forwarding this email! If only 500 people pledged $20, I would hit my goal and show an amazing gesture of support for individuals in need. Also, if you can join us in Alviso, come on out and cheer me on, May 7, 2011.

ALSO, please join me at the big Health Fair after the walk in the spectacular Alviso Marina. The 4-hour Health Fair runs from 10am-2pm, and features free kayak rides, Farmers Market, Gardner Mobile Health Clinic Van, a big raffle and the Prevent Cancer Super Colon™, an interactive walk-through display that gives people a close up and educational look at colon cancer.

Here are the directions:

http://www.regathon.com/lcc/map.htm

Thank you, in advance, for your generous support. Together we will eventually put an end to cancer once and for all!

Sincerely,

Paula Martinez

Do you have a great letter or email that works for you? Share it with us so that we can share it with your fellow walkers. Have questions? Contact us at: lccinfo@regathon.com

So we look forward to seeing you at the Latinas Contra Cancer Walk Against Cancer in spectacular Alviso California, on Saturday May 7, 2011. Walk registration opens at 7:30am. The walk kicks off at 9am. We walk along the awe inspiring Alviso waterfront, through a throng of residents cheering us on, back to the Marina for the fun-filled Health Fair from 10am-2pm.

See you Saturday, May 7, 2011! <Top>