Are you ready to start fundraising for the Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K, but aren’t sure where to start? Here are our top 10 tips to help make your fundraising efforts successful.
While fundraising is not required and there is no fundraising minimum, we do highly encourage our participants to fundraise. The dollars you raise help create advances in cancer prevention and treatment — based on life-changing research — giving us more reasons to celebrate each year. Imagine what we can achieve together!
- Set goals.
Once you register for the Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K, you can set whatever fundraising goal is comfortable for you. We recommend setting a goal that you think is attainable; then if you reach that goal, you can raise it. You can change your goal at any time in your participant center. - Make your own contribution.
Get your fundraising off to a good start by making the first contribution. This will make others more likely to get involved. It doesn’t have to be much — every dollar makes a difference! - Grow your team.
An easy way to make a big impact on this event is to encourage your friends and family to join you for the walk and register on your team. You can work together to raise funds and enjoy the walk, run and family-friendly festival together on June 2! - Share your "why".
Update your personal page to share your own reasons for participating in the Cancer Survivor’ Celebration Walk & 5K. A personal story will make your page more engaging by explaining to family and friends why this specific cause matters to you. That’s what they care about most! - Know about Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Highlight the ways Lurie Cancer Center is leading efforts to translate life-changing research into better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Collaborating across disciplines, our physicians and scientists combine scientific discovery and medical expertise to provide the highest level of innovative, patient-centered care. Lurie Cancer Center is committed to training and mentoring the next generation of leaders, ensuring equity in cancer care, and improving the lives of people with cancer. To learn more about our work visit, please visit the Lurie Cancer Center website. - Engage your network.
Start small. First reach out to your close contacts, such as friends and family, because they are most likely to donate. Send them personalized messages letting them know why this specific cause matters to you. Then you can start to connect with more people in your network using email, in-person requests and social media. Check your participant center for email templates that make this step even easier! - Use social media.
After you personally connect with your close contacts, social media is a great tool for engaging a larger group of people. Using Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, TikTok or even LinkedIn, start with a couple posts that highlight your “why.” Say why you are participating in the 2024 Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K, and provide a link to your donation page. We provide sample posts below that you can use and customize. A great strategy is to tag and thank people who have already donated while also asking for new donations. This spreads your message further and lets new people know that others are already supporting you.
Sample Social Media Posts
Join me!
Join me for the 2024 Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K as I celebrate cancer survivorship and support innovative research and patient-centered care at Lurie Cancer Center. There are two ways you can help:- oin me for the Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K on Sunday, June 2, by registering at here.
- Donate to my personal fundraising page and help me reach my goal of $___.
[Customize amount and insert link to personal page.]
Did you know?
Did you know that the National Cancer Institute has designated Lurie Cancer Center as one of only 56 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation recognized for their “scientific leadership, resources, and the depth and breadth of their research?” By donating, you are helping Lurie Cancer Center push the boundaries of what’s possible to improve the lives of people with cancer. [Insert link to personal fundraising page]
The facts.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the number of cancer survivors is predicted to increase by 31% from 2016 to 2026, with 20.3 million cancer survivors estimated in 2026. A donation helps Lurie Cancer Center continue to lead efforts in translating life-changing research into better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. [Insert link to personal page.].
I'm participating.
I am participating in the 2024 Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K! Help me make a life-changing difference for people with cancer by making a donation on my fundraising page linked below. All donations directly benefit Lurie Cancer Center and fund leading-edge research to prevent, treat and defeat cancer. [Insert link to personal fundraising page.] - Get creative.
Some of our most successful fundraisers got creative in the ways that they received donations. You can mow lawns, set up a bake sale for your colleagues at work, host a dinner party and ask each attendee to bring a small donation, and much, much more! The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative. - Share your successes.
Be sure to share your successes and fundraising updates with your supporters and via social media as you hit major milestones ($100, 50% of your goal, 100% of your goal — you get the idea!). Sharing your successes actively involves your friends in your journey, encourages donations and could inspire others to join in supporting your efforts. - Thank your supporters.
Be sure to continue thanking your donors all throughout your fundraising efforts, both personally and on social media. A personal thank you lets your donors know that they helped make a big difference in the lives of the people who rely on Lurie Cancer Center to provide the highest level of quality cancer care and ongoing support.
Raise Even More by Purchasing a Star
Purchase a Star to honor and celebrate cancer survivors! Participants can choose to have a name or pre-written message on their Star. The Stars will be available for pickup in Grant Park on event day, where you can place them in our Star Field or take them with you on your walk or run along Chicago’s lakefront. Together, the Stars will represent and celebrate the people who have been impacted by cancer and provide hope to those who are currently going through treatment.
Purchase a Star here.
Stars Club
Introducing the Stars Club, where fundraising champions shine bright! The Stars Club is an exclusive celebration club honoring our top individual fundraisers who have gone above and beyond to support Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
The Stars Club is broken up into three different levels of achievement. Those who fundraise $500 and up will earn the Bronze Star level. Those who fundraise $1,000 or more will earn the Silver Star level. And those who fundraise $2,500 or more will earn the Gold Star level. Each participant who reaches these milestones will unlock a badge on their fundraising page.
Stars Club members are invited to join us in a special tent on the day of the event where they will indulge in additional food and beverages, mingle with other top fundraisers, and even go home with some exclusive goodies as a token of our immense gratitude for their incredible fundraising efforts. Join the Stars Club and let your fundraising light shine!
Double or Even Triple Your Donation
Did you know that thousands of companies match donations made by their employees to organizations like ours? With matching gifts, it’s possible to double or sometimes even triple your donation. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they will match your donation. For additional information, contact survivorswalk@nm.org.
Other ways to make a donation
While making a donation online is the easiest way to do so, those who wish may also mail in checks.
Please make all checks out to “Northwestern Memorial Foundation” and include “Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K” in the memo line. Mail checks to:
Northwestern Memorial Foundation
P.O. Box 734985
Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985
Celebrating and Recognizing Our Top Fundraisers
Individuals who raise $500 or more will have access to the Stars Club, a special tent on the day of the event to celebrate their fundraising success.
Registration Fees
Your registration fee does not count towards your fundraising total. The registration fee covers our costs associated with putting on the event, such as t-shirt and event logistic costs.
Need more help? Our fundraising coaches are here for you!
Our seasoned fundraising coaches can help you every step of the way. Email survivorswalk@nm.org with any questions.