* LLS Fundraising Ideas Needed *

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I would like to call on you all for some opinions. I apologize in advance

for the length of this message.

As some of you know, I've done a lot of fundraising work for the Leukemia &

Lymphoma Society for quite some time now. This February 2007 will mark the

fifth anniverary of our more formal fundraising gala called Music From An

Upstairs Window: A Leukemia Society Benefit. This event is the premier

fundraiser for the LLS in my region, but it still remains small and quaint.

Because of its small size, we raise only about $6,000 during the evening.

However, because it includes a musical ensemble, speakers, food, bar and

auction, we (my board and I) spend at least four months putting it all

together.

Everyone who attends absolutely loves it. We get media coverage both in

newspapers and on regional television newscasts, both in advance and on the

evening of the event -- very neat to see the camera crews show up! I'm

extremely grateful for the help I get, the donations I receive for auction

items, cash donations, and the media coverage. In fact, some of you have

contributed money or auction items!

However, I feel our fundraiser has sort of reached a critical time. As I

said, this next February's event will be our fifth one. That's sort of a

momentous anniversary. But I don't think that a lot of people in the

community and even in the cancer community appreciate how much time and

effort goes into pulling this off. I think given the amount of time and

effort, we should be raising more money. Unfortunately, we have gotten very

little participation and support from the local hematology/oncology doctors

and staff (affiliated with one of the world's leading medical institutions,

so this is rather disappointing). At the same time, I see that breast cancer

events get a huge amount of backing, support and donations around here. I'm

not comparing the two. I'm just frustrated that we run the only big LLS

fundraiser, and it's not received as well in this highly medical community

as I believe it should be.

At the same time, I am also extremely busy, and it's hard to find time to

run this every year, with little help. I work full time, have a part-time

job, am in graduate school, volunteer for the LLS and have also recently

started volunteering for Meals on Wheels (a great cause, by the way!).

However, as a friend pointed out to me, being busy is no excuse for not

putting on a worthy fundraiser!

So, after all of this background, I would like your ideas. Part of me thinks

that it's time for the fundraiser to come to an end. I did what I could, now

I'm burned out, and it's time to stop. I raised a lot of money, so I should

have no guilt about moving on (but why do I then??). But I also feel like I

do need to continue doing this, regardless of how much time and effort it

takes (who needs sleep??). I must keep in mind that this is one of the ways

the LLS gets money to fund research into new drugs like Gleevec and

dasatinib. And to fund patient aid.

So, people, what should I do?? Do you have any ideas on how to make this

more successful? Easier? A different theme? I've often thought that what I

really need is just one good connection with the bigwigs in the world to get

someone to donate a vintage car or something BIG that we can raffle off.

That would save me SOOO much time vs. having to solicit hundreds of items

for our silent auction. But so far, that has not panned out. I'm open to any

ideas you may have.

This is something that benefits each one of us, so I hope you can take a

minute or two to help brainstorm. Also, if we do go forward with the same

type of event, I will be looking for auction items, and would love if some

of you can donate some again. Please see www.upstairswindow.org to get an

idea of the kind of stuff we offer (all high-quality stuff). Cash donations

are also welcome, of course.

Please feel free to respond to me publicly or privately. And if any of you

have direct connections to a real-live, legitimate mover and shaker who

could help out, please let me know. :-)

You know this is for a cause that has helped every one of us, from patients

to family to friends to health care providers. Thanks in advance for your

ideas and support.

G.

www.upstairswindow.org

www.cmlsupport.com