Charity: Send & Give by Cancer Research
Research into the latest cancer treatments, clinical trials and further understanding of the illness comes at a huge financial cost. That is why the largest UK cancer charity, Cancer Research UK is constantly fundraising in a multitude of different ways to keep this service going.
Cancer Research UK carries out popular fundraising events such as the Race for Life sponsored marathon, the Flora marathon. They also allow direct debit donations, have set up more than 600 retail charity shops in the UK and they have now found another innovative way to raise funds. It comes in the form of ‘eCards’ and ‘alternative gifts’.
So what on earth are they? An eCard is much like a your standard paper greeting card, but it is free and sent and viewed via email. The eCards on the Cancer Research UK website however are unique in two ways. Firstly they have unique designs from cute Easter chicks to beautiful Valentines roses. Secondly, it is possible to use the money that you would have spent on cards, envelopes and that fiver you might tuck inside and donate it to charity instead. An alternative gift refers to the set of gifts designed by Cancer Research UK themselves, including funding a PhD student for one day or one week, help and support for cancer patients on clinical trials and allowing a nurse to inform other practitioners of Cancer Research UK’s work.
The alternative gifts available on the Cancer Research UK website range from £15 to £615, and the eCards have no particular set donation.
So why give one of these gifts to a loved one, rather than the standard box of chocolates or set of bath salts? Well, they are an innovative and thoughtful way to raise awareness and funding for a great cause. A PhD student who studies for one day could learn the vital information they will need to make huge medical advances in cancer research in their future career. With the help of one of these gifts it could be made possible.
Also, we all know someone who feels strongly about raising money for charities and when it comes to their birthday or Christmas, it would probably make both their day and yours to know that their birthday gift had really helped someone in need. The sentiment felt with a thoughtful gift is still there, and in fact it’s most likely bigger!
Filed under: Disease Charities