Why can't our early-stage HER2+ women get the treatment they need?

Fund Raising Ideas

There are many different ways to raise money for charitable causes. Some of the tried and tested methods are things like car-boot and garage sales, cake stalls and raffles.
One of the tricks to successful fundraising seems to be to ask larger numbers of people for lower levels of assistance, whether it be money, donated items, time or other resources. If its a smaller ask, and its more manageable for them, you're more likely to get a "yes". Another critical component of success is not to be shy about asking for what you need. Most people are busy. Making it clear and concise to them what you're looking for, and why, means less time getting to the point, which is all busy people generally want you to do. As a suggestion, don't be put off by an initial "no". If someone says they can't give you what you ask for, don't just call it quits at that, because they may still be feeling they could manage to offer less but might not want to risk offending you or appearing stingy by suggesting it. Give them the chance! Ask them what they COULD manage to provide. The very worst thing that could happen (but seldom does, for a cause like this one) is you'll get absolutely nowhere with that person. The answer might still be zero. That's ok. Some people are simply unable to provide resources, for a variety of reasons, so all you can do is find someone else. And unless what you're asking for is totally unrealistic, there will definitely be someone else out there somewhere, who WILL help you!
Some people are surprisingly creative when it come to raising money, and so far, it seems that almost everyone approached supports and applauds the aims of this protest and is willing to donate money or resources to making it a successful event.

***When fundraising, either for this event or for your own or someone else's Herceptin treatment, take a little caution: you will probably get a few doors slammed in your face, often from the people you'd least expect it from, and often over the smallest of requests for support and encouragement, even the non-financial! That might surprise you and dampen your enthusiasm a little. The sad truth is that some people, for whatever reason, just don't have the social skills and/or the faintest inkling of how hideous breast cancer is, to help them figure out that being abrupt and rude to you, or ignoring you, isn't actually necessary. Don't take it personally, and don't let it put you off your mission! You can try to get people to consider the bigger picture, as they're turning you down, but you can't force them to see it if they really don't want to.

All you can realistically do with people like that is thank them for their time, walk away, and hope that they don't end up getting breast cancer themselves, or having to face someone they care about suffering and dying from it. Just put them, their attitudes, and their ignorance firmly behind you, and move RIGHT along.***

The other side of that coin is that you'll just as often be just as surprised (but in a far nicer way) at the support that can come from people and places that were equally unexpected! It can really pay off to not rule anyone out without talking to them first!


Some of the ideas put forward so far are as follows:

Asking your local pub to host a quiz night, and having a special section on bike-related trivia and another on the geography of the North Island.

A few friends combining interesting collections and holding an exhibition, with donated wine and cheese from a local supermarket supportive of their cause.

A group of guys getting together with their gleaming Harley Davidsons on the weekend and selling rides.

A "silly money" auction for donated goods, where silly money is bought with real money and goods are bid for at the local pub.

Simply asking ten friends to donate ten dollars and asking each of them to ask ten of their other friends to donate ten dollars! (Brilliant! But probably works best for those who have extended networks)

A street sale! - several good neighbours in one street staging their own flea market with goods donated by them and their friends.

A Melbourne Cup "sweepstake" with half the proceeds going to the winner and the other half into the Herceptin Ride fund!

A "pamper package" of an aromatherapy massage, facial, manicure and pedicure donated from a city beautician as a raffle prize. 200 tickets can be sold at five dollars each, and the fundraiser's ride will be paid for.

***SOME INTENDING PARTICIPANTS ARE OFFERING THEIR EMPLOYERS A WAY OF SPONSORING THE CAUSE BY ASKING IF THEY CAN HAVE THE TIME OFF WORK TO TAKE PART IN THIS EVENT WITHOUT LOSS OF PAY OR ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT***

If you've had a good idea for fundraising that has achieved good results, or likely will, and you would like to share it with others who will be viewing this site, please email us with the details, and a photo if you wish. We will be happy to publish interesting or unusual ideas, as long as they are legal and respectable, of course!