News & Articles
How You Can Contribute Towards the Fight Against Cancer
- 18:24, 16th October 2023
- John Reese
- Cancer
Whether you have experienced cancer first-hand, cared for a loved one, or interacted with friends and family recovering from the disease, you understand that dealing with cancer is tough to say the least. As an individual not working in the field of medicine, you can still make a big difference in fighting cancer. In the following article, Curedit presents various avenues through which you can make a valuable contribution to the fight against cancer.
Volunteer
Various organizations across the country are always in need of volunteers. You don’t need a medical background to volunteer; but if you find that you would like to contribute to a different capacity, you could pursue your nursing degree.
There are many nursing and healthcare degrees available online now, including programs in getting your RN to BSN online, which makes it easier to complete the programs with your busy schedule. The RN to BSN degree is tailored for working registered nurses who have an ADN or nursing diploma who are looking to advance their credentials and their career. Just make sure that your program is accredited (this is a good option to check out).
With or without medical training, volunteers can help in the following areas:
Hotline Operators: These operators are trained to address questions of patients and families by providing important factual information on the following:
- Cancer Types
- Treatment
- Medications
- Common side effects of medications
- Hospital contact information
- Financial Assistance
Support Groups: Volunteering in support groups involves providing emotional support to patients and their families. Working under the head psychologist or counselors they assist families with queries, making lifestyle changes, pain management, mental health assistance, and more.
These groups provide individuals a safe space to express their feelings, fears, and thoughts. Hence, if you are a naturally compassionate and caring individual you can make a big difference by being a part of these groups which can be online or in-person.
Many support groups have an online presence, be it social media or websites. You can volunteer by updating the website of a cancer charity or organization’s site using creative as part of a content marketing strategy. To find out more about the ins and outs of content marketing, go online and read up on expert advice on the latest methodologies and techniques (you can learn more at CornerstoneContent.com).
Support Programs: These also provide emotional assistance to individuals, however, focus more on providing them access to:
- Wigs
- Books
- Medical referrals
- Legal assistance
- Financial Aid
Additionally, volunteers provide transportation to individuals for medical appointments.
Fundraise
Asbestos.com cites research showing the average cost of cancer treatment in America is $150,000, which is almost double the average median income of the country. Even after subtracting costs covered by insurance, it is still a sizable amount.
Through fundraising, you can make a valuable contribution towards helping someone afford the treatment they need.
If you are a musician, live-streamer, small business owner, or an individual with a large social media following, you can leverage your influence to motivate people to donate. People are more likely to donate to a cause through someone they know and trust.
Similarly, you can pair up with your local cancer organization, restaurant, or small business and organize fundraising nights where a part of the proceeds goes to the organization of your choice. This is also a great way to raise money to help someone in the community dealing with cancer.
Additional options include:
- Merchandise sales
- Walkathons
- Crowdfunding campaigns
Start an NGO
If you are a passionate individual with the time to be hands-on towards the cause, you can strive to establish a non-government organization to help members of your community.
Here are a few important aspects to follow while establishing your NGO:
- Select your niche, i.e. what type of cancer will you focus on, what stage, criteria to grant aid, and the type of services you will provide to patients.
- Create a strong business plan to provide donors clarity regarding your goal, utilization of funds, expansion plans, and more.
- Hire a lawyer to comply with all local, state, and federal level requirements of filing your organization as an NGO.
- Reach out to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute for endorsements as it can help improve your reputation tremendously, making it easier to find donors.
Additionally, focus on marketing your organization to create awareness locally and on the internet. One of the best ways to create a donor base and connect with volunteers is email marketing. Square notes that most customers prefer being contacted through email marketing compared to other methods.
To get the most out of your email marketing efforts ensure that you have catchy subject lines which are curated towards your audience’s interest. For example, simply saying “Donate to Us” may not work. However, saying “You’re the partner we need in the battle against cancer” will make those passionate about the cause open your email.
While doctors and researchers are at the forefront of fighting cancer, every small effort made by individuals can help tremendously towards improving the lives of patients, survivors, and communities affected by the illness. Follow the tips above – including going back to school for a nursing degree, volunteering by doing things like updating a charity’s website with creative content, and learning what it takes to start an NGO – and you’ll be well on your way towards fighting the good fight against cancer.
