Family & Friends Walk to Honor a Young Womans Fight Against Cancer

When her children's babysitter was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in January of this year, Shannon Draisey knew she had to help. Since Cheryl enjoyed walking, a walk-a-thon was a fitting event and so one was planned to raise money for her cancer treatment.

Unfortunately Cheryl's condition worsened rather quickly and she passed away on March 11th. However plans continued for the walk in her honor and the name was changed to the 1st Annual Memory March for Markley 2 Mile Run/Walk.

Everyone was welcome to come help celebrate Cheryl's life, support her family and raise awareness about lung cancer. Besides walkers there were also runners, moms with strollers, kids on bikes and grandparents who participated.

Shannon said, "I used the information from Step by Step Fundraising to assist me in sending out letters to business/organizations asking for their support as a sponsor, in newspaper ads and in the sponsor kit the I created for my walk."

The walk was April 30, 2005 at a local park. Each participant received a t-shirt with the event date and a picture of Cheryl. Especially since many of the participants were friends or family, the t-shirts were greatly appreciated. Over 100 people attended the walk, and after expenses the event raised $3600 for the family.

There was a special kickoff ceremony with a prayer and balloon release. The balloons were in lavender, which is the general cancer awareness color and ivory/clear, the lung cancer awareness color.

Since the walk was to benefit an individual and not a registered non profit organization, donors were not allowed to consider contributions as tax deductible. However, Shannon didn't find this to be too much of a problem and had many people including businesses donate money, goods and services.

Shannon sent out approximately 200 letters to local business and organizations which resulted in 28 sponsors. Some of them were monetary and some contributed water, the sign for the walk, a gator to get around the park in, and other supplies.

"I would have to say personal friends of Cheryl made the walk a success. With over 100 people that showed up, all of them knew Cheryl and wanted to help. But by putting an ad in our local newspaper weekly for a month prior to the walk helped to generate some additional walkers."

When asked what advice she would give to other walk organizers, Shannon replied, "If you want to organize a run/walk make sure you get in touch with someone who has organized one in the past. They have valuable information, tips and do's and dont's that will help make your walk a success."

While this year's walk was for the family of one person effected by cancer, next year's walk will be expanded to focus on raising awareness about lung cancer prevention. Shannon would like to help educate the public about the dangers of radon levels in basements, which Cheryl's doctors believe was the reason that she developed lung cancer.

Next year's walk will benefit radon research or lung cancer research. Shannon is also considering donating a portion of the proceeds to the local cancer coalition and starting a scholarship or humanitarian award in Cheryl's name.

Sandra Sims, "The Fundraising Coach" has been raising money through charity walks and special events for 10 years. She shares her fundraising tips for all types of non profit organizations on her website StepByStepFundraising.com where you can find out more about charity walk events and other fun fundraisers.