First-Time Fundraiser: Captain Rob Butler

There is no better feeling than having a new idea, bringing it to life, and watching it exceed your expectations. The San Diego branch of TowBoatU.S. did just this. In September 2022, Captain Robert Butler reached out to National Breast Cancer Foundation to plan a paddleboard poker run. The event would bring the community together for a unique experience of paddleboarding, poker, and donations. While Captain Rob had never done anything like this before, he was committed to creating a unique and successful fundraising event.

With the help of numerous sponsors, community members, and his family, Paddle for the Battle was created! Captain Rob even had 1,000 t-shirts made for the attendees, all printed with a donation QR code for NBCF. In addition to this one-day event, Captain Rob planned to wrap his boat in pink with the same donation QR code for the entire month of October 2023—but due to donations still streaming in, his boat is still wrapped in pink into 2024! This community event was an incredible success, raising over $15,000. Due to this success, Captain Rob has already begun planning for this year’s event and looks forward to making an even bigger impact in 2024.

Impactful Partner: Pink Fishing

Since 2007, Pink Fishing has combined the love of fishing with a desire to give back to their community through providing aid to underserved communities and empowering those affected by breast cancer. Throughout their years as fundraising partners, Pink Fishing has been involved in the NBCF Community Ambassador Program and fundraising through their multiple annual fishing tournaments.

In 2023, Pink Fishing increased their involvement with NBCF by providing an annual donation of $10,000 designated to NBCF metastatic breast cancer retreats. Metastatic retreats hit close to home for Pink Fishing, as one of their organization members has been living with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for many years. Not only will Pink Fishing be making an impact through this annual gift, they have also chosen to honor their dear friend with a permanent plaque on the NBCF Red Leaf Giving Tree. NBCF is honored to have Pink Fishing as a fundraising partner and we look forward to continuing working together to make a lasting impact.

At NBCF, we encourage you to fundraise YOUR way! Click here to view our online resources and tips to inspire your personal fundraising style.

The post Community Fundraising Highlights: Winter 2024 appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Brian’s Biggest Inspiration

Brian’s mom, Marta, has been his biggest source of inspiration throughout his life. After her breast cancer diagnosis while Brian was in college, Marta’s resilience throughout her journey left a mark on Brian’s heart that would change his life forever. Brian recalls that when his mother saw herself in the mirror for the first time after her mastectomy, she fell to her knees in tears. But he says she got up, looked at him, and promised him that she would continue treatment in order to see him graduate. Brian ultimately pursued his doctorate, and became an advocate for breast cancer awareness and community support along the way.

Because his mom pushed for her children to know their bodies and get checked regularly, Brian’s sister, Martaliz, found her own cancer early. He shared, “What my sister had was in the extremely early stages, and [she] could battle it with the chemo pills only. Thanks to God, she is now doing better and on the alert.”

Brian’s Angel

When Brian met his dear friend Thayna, he was mesmerized by her from the very beginning of their friendship. After her breast cancer diagnosis at an early age, Bryan says Thayna was determined to live her life to the fullest. She even made the brave decision to become a mom, despite the risks involved with her cancer treatment. Thanya’s beautiful twins, Kayden and Kaylee, were born just a day before Brian’s own birthday. Thayna loved and cherished her children for four years until she passed away after her cancer metastasized to her brain. Brian visits Kayden and Kaylee each year in New Jersey and remembers Thayna as one of God’s angels. Her legacy continues to move Brian to action.

From Inspiration to Action

Brian knew he wanted to offer the same help and support his mother received when she was facing breast cancer to other women in the same situation. In 2019, he saw an opportunity to give back to organizations like National Breast Cancer Foundation and signed up to co-lead fundraising events for breast cancer awareness without hesitation. Little did he know that this role would be the beginning of a beautiful journey that would change his life and the lives of those around him.

Since 2019, Brian’s team at Signature Aviation has hosted an annual “Breast Cancer Awareness Day” to share breast health resources and raise funds through sales of t-shirts, polos, and baked goods.

Since 2012, Signature Aviation has donated over $30,000 to NBCF, with Brian leading the charge for more than $10,000 of that amount. His efforts ensure that no one navigates breast cancer alone.

When Brian was asked, “Why NBCF?” he shared:

“Through NBCF, my mom received all the help she needed to battle cancer, and for me, that is something that I will never forget. So, I want to help the organization to continue helping other women and men with breast cancer.”

Ready to bring your workplace together for good?

National Breast Cancer Foundation is here for you and your loved ones. Whether you need support, education, or help during treatment, we have a team dedicated to getting you the help you deserve.

The post Brian’s Journey to Raising $10,000 in Honor of His Loved Ones appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

NBCF: Why is this an important cause to you?

MatthewOrMatt: Unfortunately, no one is many degrees of separation away from breast cancer. Whether it be a family member, a friend, a teacher, or anyone else, we have all been touched by this disease at some point in some way. Providing people with the greatest chance of beating a disease like breast cancer is something we should all care about doing.

What do you love about Game Pink? 

MatthewOrMatt: I have loved working with NBCF over the last few years. NBCF makes it their mission to provide hope to people during what may be the most hopeless point of their lives. It’s an amazing undertaking, and they do a phenomenal job making it evident that they truly care about everyone they touch. 

Additionally, NBCF does a great job of utilizing Twitch as a platform. Game Pink has been great each year I have participated, and the community managers at NBCF do awesome work to provide streamers with plenty of resources that can allow them to not only generate funds but spread breast cancer awareness about how people can help support well beyond giving money.

How did you get involved with charity streaming?

MatthewOrMatt: I was inspired by the popular charity event known as “Games Done Quick.”  Seeing how much money could be raised through gaming really opened my eyes to how powerful Twitch could be in raising awareness for causes and generating funds while doing something fun. 

Being a charity streamer has been a very rewarding experience overall, and it has introduced me to a lot of amazing organizations, like NBCF, that I otherwise would have never known about. Don’t underestimate how powerful charity streaming can be for your org—you never know who will stumble upon it!!! Also, you get to game while raising money for good causes—can it get any better?

MatthewOrMatt has raised $10,595 in total over his years streaming for NBCF. He joins NBCF’s Game Pink for the third time this October to raise funds for the “Screening Isn’t Scary” campaign. To follow along and join MatthewOrMatt during his upcoming stream, click here. To learn more about NBCF’s Game Pink and “Screening Isn’t Scary” campaign, click here. 

The post Game Pink: MatthewOrMatt is Gaming for Good! appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

My mom was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in August 2003. After 4 rounds of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation, my mom beat breast cancer. I was 8 years old at the time, and I didn’t quite understand what my mom was going through nor could I help. Now that I’m older and in a position to help, I want to help those who have a parent that is going through the same thing I did.

What got me into charity streaming was a lack of in-person volunteering opportunities due to the pandemic—and the values that I was taught growing up. Since my senior year in high school, I’ve volunteered at the Wing Luke Museum in the Chinatown-International District in Seattle.

Volunteering every year during the Lunar New Year dragon dances is one of my memorable experiences giving back to the community—my way of grounding myself and spending time in a community that has given me so much. When in-person volunteering was canceled due to the pandemic, I sought other ways to give back via charity streaming to my community online.

As the son of an immigrant, leaving a place better than you left it and finding time to give back is something that aligns with my values. The luxuries afforded to me as a first-generation American were not something my mom had until she immigrated from the Philippines to the US. Instilling a hard work ethic and finding time to give back is something at the forefront of my mind to this day.

What I love about NBCF’s Game Pink is the ease of access to information—like how far your donation goes, broken down from $3 to $1,000—and the setup on Tiltify. My mom picked NBCF, so going through the onboarding process via Tiltify was seamless. I used Tiltify in a previous fundraiser, and the information they gave on their Tiltify webpage was straightforward.

DaYoshi has raised $2,569 for NBCF so far and plans to partner with NBCF again this year for “Screening Isn’t Scary.” To follow DaYoshi’s channel and his upcoming streams, click here. To learn more about NBCF’s Game Pink and “Screening Isn’t Scary,” click here. 

The post Game Pink: DaYoshi Streams in Honor of His Mom appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. While we can’t prevent breast cancer, we can make sure that every woman has the tools and education she needs to be proactive about her health. Your fundraiser is a critical link to provide life-saving services for women in need.

Before you jump into your fundraiser, check out these 9 ideas and tips for success.

1. DIY Fundraising Page: If you already have a fundraising idea and want to gather donations online, use NBCF’s easy-to-use fundraising platform, Classy. You can create a custom page, add your own profile photo, share your story, set a goal, and share a link to donate with friends and family. Need help? View our step-by-step instructions and free resources.
2. Fundraise on Facebook: Facebook allows you to raise money by rallying your friends and sharing updates through your newsfeed and personal fundraiser page. Your network can donate, interact, and share your fundraiser to make a larger impact. Learn more about how to get started fundraising on Facebook.
3. Fundraise on Instagram: Instagram gives you the ability to reach a wider audience using posts, stories, and Instagram Live. Plus, we have interactive templates to get your followers engaged. Learn more about how to get started fundraising on Instagram.
4. Fitness challenges are an interactive way to raise funds and promote a healthy body and mind. Be creative and explore workout classes that people could donate to attend, in-person or virtually. Start a walk-a-thon for individuals to pledge donations for miles walked. Or try a challenge like doing 50 squats a day for one month and record your progress to entice donations.
5. Celebrate big milestones by giving back. Birthdays, anniversaries, cancerversaries, or other special events are the perfect times to pay-it-forward.
6. Add purpose to your passions. Small businesses can engage customers by donating a percentage of proceeds to the cause or by designing a pink item to further promote awareness. Or if you have a hobby, try taking it to the next level by aligning with a cause and donating proceeds during October.
7. Make donating easy with PayPal. If you don’t want to set up a fundraising page or mail in donations, share NBCF’s PayPal for one-click donations. You can find NBCF on PayPal @nbcf91.
8. Get your teammates involved through an employee fundraiser. Whether you’re working from home or in the office, bring your peers together for good. You can sell t-shirts or other items that get your team pumped. Or host an internal competition with prizes to incentivize your team.
9. Say game over to breast cancer with Game Pink. Game Pink is bringing together gamers, streamers, and fans on a mission to help women and families impacted by breast cancer. Playing your favorite video game can make a difference in the lives of women and families facing the realities of breast cancer. Simply sign up to create your own charity stream and start fundraising.

Want to give back, but don’t have time to set up a fundraiser? Want to donate, but running short on cash? Here’s how to give back in 2 minutes with zero dollars:

• Use Amazon Smile. Select National Breast Cancer Foundation as your charity on Amazon Smile. NBCF will receive a 0.5% donation each time you shop on Amazon.
• Set a fav charity on PayPal. Set NBCF as your favorite charity and donate directly, or have the option to donate $1 each time you checkout.  

You can always find more resources, tips, and examples on our Fundraising Resources page. Have questions? We’re here to help: fundraising@nbcf.org

The post 9 Easy Ideas to Boost Your Fundraiser this October appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

1. Turn your hobby pink: Are you addicted to Pinterest? Do you love crafting, painting, or curating? Sell your homemade goods or creations and donate to NBCF! Etsy shops are also a great way to use your passion to help others.

2. Fundraise on Facebook: Facebook makes it easy to donate your birthday to a cause you love. Start your fundraiser, choose a charity, and Facebook will make the first donation! Share with your friends what cause you’ve chosen and why, and ask for their participation in honor of your special day. Plus, you can create a Facebook Fundraiser for any occasion, not just your birthday. Get started by clicking here.

3. Play pink: Are you involved with a sports team? Get the whole team together and use one of your games/meets/matches to give back to NBCF! You can donate a portion of ticket sales or concessions or even honor survivors during a break in the game.

4. Clean & give back: Looking for some motivation to do some home organizing? Host a garage sale and donate the proceeds to NBCF! It is a great way to get your neighbors involved too.

5. Baking for breast cancer: Take your skills in the kitchen to the next level by hosting a bake sale. All proceeds from your pink pastries will help NBCF give hope to even more women in our communities.

6. Pink casual days: Get your office involved in the fun by hosting a casual dress day for NBCF. By donating a certain dollar amount, you and your employees can pink out the office and give back to a great cause.

Still don’t see the best idea for you? NBCF has you covered. Reach out to our team & we’ll make sure to find the perfect fundraiser for you: fundraising@nbcf.org. Don’t forget to share the message with your family and friends too. You just may inspire someone with your fundraiser!

Your family and friends may ask “Why NBCF?” NBCF is Helping Women Now by directing over 80% of funds raised to early detection,
education and support services that are making an immediate impact in the lives of woman facing breast cancer across the United States.

The post Our 6 Favorite Ideas for Raising Funds for Breast Cancer Awareness appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

In a world full of commitments, projects, and overwhelmed calendars, it can feel impossible to find balance. Yes, checking off your to-do list is a high priority, but it can leave you feeling haggard by the end of the day. Forget adding anything extra into your busy life, especially giving to charity or fundraising for a cause! “I don’t have time for that” is the biggest reason most of us say we can’t take on any more responsibilities…but what if we could squeeze giving back into our everyday lives? Thanks to the generosity of some of our favorite stores like Kroger, Tom Thumb, Amazon, and eBay, giving back can now be woven into our weekly duties.

1. Tom Thumb Good Neighbor Program 

Tom Thumb’s Good Neighbor Program rewards shoppers with the opportunity to donate to their favorite participating charity with every purchase. For every $100 you purchase in groceries, using your Tom Thumb rewards card, your chosen charity will receive $1! To enroll in Tom Thumb’s program, fill out the Good Neighbor portion of your rewards card with NBCF’s non-profit code (687).

2. Kroger Community Rewards

Likewise, you can go to Kroger’s website and link your reward card with NBCF’s code (16179). For every $100 you purchase in groceries, your chosen charity will receive $1. Kroger customers located outside Texas may need to call Customer Service at 866-221-4141 for assistance. Now feeding your family has an even greater purpose!

3. Amazon Smile

Amazon has reinvented online shopping, and now items can be purchased with just one click! Giving to NBCF can be just as simple with Amazon Smile. When shopping with Amazon Smile, 0.5% of each item purchased will go towards the charitable organization of your choice. To enroll, simply go to smile.amazon.com and search for ‘National Breast Cancer Foundation’. Voila! Your countless Amazon purchases are Helping Women Now!

4. eBay for Charity

eBay is another marketplace that allows its users to donate to a charity of their choice. Like traditional eBay, eBay giving works allows you to sell your item, but you can donate a percentage of the sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Turn your spring cleaning into a donation by selling unwanted items. Your eBay sales can help provide early detection services to a woman in need!

As life grows increasingly busy, it is great to see new, innovative ways to give. Your busy life doesn’t have to interfere with making a difference in someone else’s. Even small acts of kindness can add up to a large impact. Together, we are Helping Women Now. Enroll today in one or more of these programs—it just might be the easiest thing on your to-do list.

The post 4 Easy Ways to Give appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Operation Pink Sky, the annual event held at Chicagoland Skydiving Center, uses their mile-high perspective to raise donations for NBCF through skydiving. The day is filled with both experienced jumpers as well as first-time jumpers, some of who jumped for free as a reward for meeting a fundraising goal! T-shirts, a raffle, and a party that evening continued to help raise donations.

Becky Johns, Director of Marketing and Communications for Chicagoland, first started the fundraiser due to breast cancer affecting so many of their staff’s families. Becky says “Personally, it is important to me to continue to try to grow the event because my mom and both her sisters are breast cancer survivors.” Although Becky is one of the luckier individuals who didn’t lose her loved ones, she still wants to play her part so that “others may be able to enjoy additional years with their mothers, aunts, sisters, etc.” As for her reasoning on choosing NBCF, Becky comments, “We chose NBCF because of its focus on patients and their families. We know a support network is an important part of fighting the cancer battle and healing.”

Operation Pink Sky just finished their 4^th year fundraising for NBCF. We are thankful for their loyal support and innovative fundraising ideas!

If you would like to fundraise for NBCF, start your own fundraiser!

The post The View From Above appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Three years ago, Swim Team Coach James Schreiner’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. “The girls wanted to do something to raise awareness and honor her fight,” James said. “They call her ‘swim mom’ so needless to say my wife was very touched.” James’ wife wasn’t the only woman they honored. The Sauk Swim Team sought out other survivors in the community and recognized each during the meet. Each woman is called upon to stand up, and they each are presented a pink rose to honor their battle with breast cancer. “It is honestly one amazing night,” James recalls.

The Sauk Centre Girls Swim Team has made the event bigger and better in the last three years. Their biggest sell is the pink ribbons which are donated and printed for them by the local newspaper. People who donate get to write their name on the ribbon, and hundreds of them are then hung outside the entrance to the fan’s balcony on the day of the swim meet. Pink swim caps and pink t-shirts are worn all over the natatorium show pride and support. To top it all off, they have a “chuck-a-duck” contest. Advertised all throughout the school, the contest requires you to pay an entry fee to throw one of the rubber ducks into a buoy in the pool. “The winner gets 50% and NBCF receives the other 50%, but without fail, the winner always donates their prize as well,” James notes.

Coach James insists the night is more than just about raising money for awareness. It is also about being able to “teach the girls a lesson that will last way beyond their years in the water and their years in school.” This past year, the team was able to raise over $6,500 in just one swim meet! Furthermore, they were able to give honor to many women of their community who have been affected by breast cancer. The Sauk Centre girls are already excited about this year as they give more women hope to tread breast cancer’s tough waters.

Want to help? Get involved with NBCF by starting your own fundraiser!

The post Swim Like a Fish, Fight Like a Girl appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

CONGA began in 2008 with one woman, a motorcycle, and 3,300 miles of open road. Flo Fuhr had recently purchased a motorcycle in Florida and was on her way back home to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As she began her journey, she encountered various women who donated a warm meal or a place to sleep. Some even joined her on a motorcycle, and it wasn’t before long that there was a conga line of motorcycles headed across the states. This parade of women was quickly recognized in each town as they passed through cities across the U.S. People would stop and ask them about their ride, and it was then that Flo had her brilliant idea: to ride for a cause. The man who taught Flo to ride as well as her sister had passed away from cancer, and through those losses, Flo recognized the importance of early detection in saving lives. So, during the last leg of her trip, she decided to dedicate her ride to breast cancer, raise awareness and donations, and to fight back through promoting early detection and research.

The ladies, excited about this idea, dressed themselves in pink and drove on. With their fun, positive attitude, pink costumes, boas, stickers, and helmets, it became almost impossible to not notice these amazing women. Their pit stops became opportunities to share their story, and the donations started flowing.

The first year was a success, with over $1,700 raised in a few short days. The decision to keep the conga line moving was an easy one, and CONGA II in 2009 raised $12,000. Since then, CONGA reconvenes each year where women and men ride to “kick cancer to the curb”. 2014 marked the seventh year of CONGA. In just the past two years, CONGA – Women Who Ride raised over $27,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation! That is more than 270 mammograms provided for women in need who otherwise may not have access to mammograms. It is thanks to the fearless women and men of CONGA that a new empowering road is being paved: One of hope and strength.

For more information on CONGA and how you can get involved, please visit Conga’s Fundraising Page. 

The post CONGA: Women Who Ride appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.