Breast Cancer Research: How To Raise Money
The ongoing fight to stop breast cancer can sometimes feel like an endless battle against a many-headed dragon. In recent years, new research and treatments have given us every reason to believe we’re on the cusp of winning this battle.
Until recently, cancers were studied, researched, and treated based primarily on where in the body they occurred (kidneys, lungs, breast, etc.).
Today, however, the approach to fighting cancer is changing, with new treatments including gene therapy, stem cell treatments, and even use of safely altered viruses to reprogram our immune cells. Researchers are developing new genetic, lab, and imaging tests for cancer. They’re pinpointing ways to reduce risk, generating targeted treatments that take into account an individual cancer’s profile, and running clinical trials on promising new treatments.
Breast cancer awareness month: crowdfunding for the cure
Along with breakthrough approaches to treatment, the approach to fundraising for breast cancer research is also changing, thanks to crowdfunding. As of this writing, there are thousands of breast-cancer-related fundraisers on GoFundMe. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and there’s no better time for you to launch a fundraiser and raise funds for breast cancer research.
Starting a breast cancer research fundraiser is easy. You don’t need an official partnership with a nonprofit organization to raise funds for it—simply start a Certified Charity fundraiser and any funds you raise will automatically be delivered to the charity of your choice.
Choose an organization to raise funds for
Wondering which breast cancer support and research organizations to donate your funds to? Here are some highly regarded organizations doing great work:
Tips for Successful Fundraising
If you’ve decided you’d like to raise money for a breast cancer charity, it couldn’t be easier on GoFundMe. It’s free to start a fundraiser on GoFundMe firstly, and because we are a custom built platform for fundraising there’s plenty of tools to make it easy for you to get going. There’s also a few helpful hints and tips that can really make your fundraiser shine.
Fundraising best practice
Once you’ve started your GoFundMe, there are a couple of easy steps you can take to really help see those donations roll in.
- Maximise your fundraiser story: Your fundraiser story is the place to set out why you’re fundraising, what you’re doing and why the cause you’ve chosen is close to your heart. Go into as much detail as you feel comfortable with explaining your backstory – and remember to illustrate it with a compelling picture.
- Share your fundraiser: Once you’ve started your GoFundMe, it’s really important to get sharing! Share the link on your social media channels to let people know that you’ve started a fundraiser and why. When you have any updates such as meeting a fundraising goal or hosting an offline fundraiser, post again. Utilise any community groups you can post in or group chats with friends.
- Post updates: A really important step in any fundraising journey is posting updates. Not only does it make the page look current and active, but your kind donors will want to see what you’re up to. You can add pictures into your updates, too.
- Thank your donors: Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and this is especially important when it comes to thanking your kind donors. Writing a personalised thanks in the form of a letter or email detailing exactly how much their donation means to you can also encourage repeat donations, too.
Fundraising events
If you really want to see the needle move on your fundraising, a really great way to do this is to host a fundraising event offline. We’ve put some ideas below that might inspire you to start.
- Coffee mornings: Coffee mornings are great ways to fundraise offline, and easy to put together too. Gather friends, family or colleagues together and get them to donate to attend the coffee morning. You can do it as a one-off or on a recurring basis, perhaps monthly.
- Fitness challenges: Fitness challenges also hold multi-benefits when it comes to raising money. Firstly, you’re exercising and doing something fun, but also you can tailor a challenge to really suit you. It doesn’t have to be marathons, it could be committing to doing yoga every day for a month, for example.
- Quiz nights: Who doesn’t love getting a bit competitive? Hold quiz nights for family and friends and charge a small entry fee to go towards your GoFundMe.
- Sports days: Again, a brilliant one to get everyone involved in. You can tailor sports days to be suitable for all abilities, adults and children alike. Sit back and watch your friends get competitive.
Breast cancer fundraisers on GoFundMe
1. Nabeela’s Fight Against Breast Cancer
Nabeela, a ‘remarkable woman with an infectious smile’ was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. She has suffered severe side effects from her treatment regime, including constant itchy skin, brain fog, and neuropathy. She’s facing an emotionally and physically draining fight, and disability benefits don’t cover her means. This fundraiser was started to help her.
2. 800 miles for breast cancer research
“I am proud to announce I am participating in my first charity ride this May. I have spent all my time and energy training for races and wanted to do something different that could help make a difference. I have signed up for an 8 day 800-mile race in Ireland to benefit Breast cancer research.
As a nurse, I have met so many patients and families who have touched me greatly and who have not been as fortunate to have health and ability to participate in such events as this one.”
3. Shaving my mullet for breast cancer
“Throughout my life, my friends, family, colleagues and myself have all been impacted by the devastation of breast cancer. I am wanting to do my part and help raise awareness and donate as much mula as I can raise for the NBCF. In 2012, my best friend lost his mum to breast cancer, and ever since feeling his heartbreak, I have done what I can to help to raise awareness and support the NBCF.
In 2012, I raised over $2000.00 to the NBCF when I shaved my beautiful head of golden locks and that was, without a doubt, the proudest moment of my life. In 2018, I am getting the clippers ready for round two! As many of you know, I am sporting a pretty disgusting/filthy hairstyle at the moment, and I am willing to shave this bad boy off if I reach my goal of $1000.00; but I’m not wanting to stop there.”
4. Breast Cancer Research in NJ
“The PINK Tournament is a fastpitch softball tournament, hosted and facilitated by the Pink Ribbon Softball, Inc. along with Susan G. Komen Central and Southern NJ and local community volunteers. In 11 years the tournament has raised over $628,000 for the Susan G. Komen – Central & South Jersey and Princeton YMCA Breast Cancer Research Center.”
5. IRONMAN x Breast Cancer Research
“Hi there! I’m Hillary. I am competing in the July 29th, 2018 IRONMAN event in Zurich, Switzerland to raise money for the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Everything raised in the next three months will be directly donated to the charity. I’m doing this for several wonderful women in my life, major role models of mine – past and present, who have faced/are facing breast cancer-related diagnoses along the spectrum.”
Start breast cancer research fundraising today
The cure is in the future; the time for action is now by fundraising for cancer research. Start your free fundraiser for breast cancer research on GoFundMe and crowdfund for the cure.