a little discouraged

[lauren grier]

so.. one of my resolutions for this year, was to participate in a breast cancer walk of some sort... there have been all these commercials lately for the susan g komen 3 day.. so I decided to look up the info... I know it's all for a good cause and what not, but the $$ aspect is a little intimidating :[

first, it costs $90 to register.. but then you have to "agree to raise at least $2,300.00" .. I'm assuming if you fall short you have to huck in the rest of the $$ .... 2,300 is a lot of money people.. sigh, that and like I'd have to take connor with me.. and I didnt' see anything about like age issues with registering- other than if you're under 18 you have to have an adult/guardian registering too... I'm not paying $90 extra bucks so I can like pull connor around with me (as there's no way he'd walk all that lol) in a wagon or something..... sigh.
maybe I need to find another walk..

[Shawna Clingerman]

gah! that is a lot of money!

[lauren grier]

yeh I just found the info... you have to pay the balance yourself right then and there OR.. they give you 4 extra weeks to come up with it. no thanks.

[suze]

its a wonderful cause yes... but i couldn't do the money aspect either. Are you having any luck finding something with less of a money commitment? that would be nice. I did a walk awhile back for a team event, I don't think we had a registration fee at all. *sorry honestly it was so long ago I don't remmeber*

[lauren grier]

well I just read the avon 2day... it's 1800 minimum with a 65$ registration.. a little less but still a lot.

[lauren grier]

the making strides against breast cancer from the ACS seems promising.. their 2009 calendar isnt' out yet....... but you set your own fundraising goals etc and there are no minimums.. I just sent off my info to be notified when it's good to go. so here's hoping.. and that one is only like 5 miles.. as opposed to the 20 & 30 miles of the other ones lol

[Jennifer]

That sounds better...I'd be too afraid I wouldn't raise enough money. I like the idea of setting your own goals.

[suze]

that sounds alot better. *5 miles sounds better too* lol

[pbumbaca]

I wanted to do something like this this year too La but the knee had other plans. Good for you and if it comes down to it you and me can halfway and I'll take care of Ce while you walk. I'll have my boys teach him all kinds of things!

[rachaelsscraps]

Wow! That's a lot!!!!

Would they want you to raise another $2300 for your son being able to walk, too? Or would they just have you pay the registration fee alone for him?

If there were one in my town, I'd so love to do it, but who can really raise that much money with the economy the way it is?! And I'd bring my son (3 yo) because I wouldn't want to stick him with a babysitter all day, but the $90 fee to push him around in a stroller would be just plain ridiculous!!!! They should only charge, like, $10-20 per child!!!!

[sprauncey1]

Holy Cow!!! I guess they get enough people to participate that they don't need more at that "price"! Great cause, but I bet you can find something else that supports bcr too and costs less. I am not a marathon/walk person but I hear about them all the time.

What about contacting your local hospital and see if there is any walks/runs through them this year?

[jessica31876]

in april down here in Florida they have a relay for life and a big event that goes with it. My daughter goes every year because it is held at her high school. They raise money for the American Cancer Society and as far as I know they didnt have those crazy requirements. Maybe you could do something like that?

[jessica31876]

here is a link if you are interested to find events in your area. The thing I love about the relay for life is they have survivors do a lap alone and there are tons of fun stuff for little kids too.

http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/findevent

[aggiefamily]

I agree with Relay For Life. My MIL is a breast cancer survivor and does this every year. Their local one is like a huge slumber party. They walk around the local high school track for 24 hours in shifts.

[mummytothree]

We do Relay for Life too!! My SIL's work place does it and we join in with them!!!!

[alansrock]

If it's a resolution why not wait until Octish and do the Susan G Komen walk where it is only like $45 to enter and no pressure to raise any money with sponsors.

[DawnMarch]

Yeah, I try to do the Race For The Cure when I can -- it's only a 5k and there are both runners and walkers. I might take my DD this year.

[Paula]

I know it's a good cause, but that is just ridiculous.

[Jenn Barrette]

I don't think anyone was putting it down, I think they are just saying that $2300 is a lot to fundraise. And the its not that the $90 isn't "worth it" its just not economically possible for some people

[Tracyfish]

It was worth every penny I raised (it was $2200 when I did it back in 2007), but with the economy the way it is, I bet it would be hard to get people to give unless you had some companies that donated.

And yeah, there's no kids in strollers or walking either...it's a pretty grueling walk and you definitely don't want to have to worry taking care of anyone other than yourself for those 3 days.

I say do the smaller walks w/no set goal...every little bit helps when it comes to the fundraising for a cure!

[AnnieBananie]

I'd see if there's a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event near you. They have a kids' Fun Run that my DD and baby sister really enjoyed last year.

[mlewis]

I looked into the 3-day before, and it is extremely intimidating to raise that much money! I just couldn't do it. I have two friends who did it, however, and said that the experience was amazing.

Making Strides for Breast Cancer is a good (a.k.a. easy) one to do.

[jaylensmom]

my sister just signed up for the 3 day in san francisco...i just can't see myself walking 60 miles in 3 days so i wasn't brave enough to sign up...she did say that she met some really cool people who are participating and will participate in the past and they said they do group fund raisers and they help each other out...it is a lot of $$$ but it can be done you just have to be really creative my sister did a marathon a few years ago and she had to raise $$$ people will give to a worthy cause...

[lizzyfizzy]

col. WHOA...We all have the right to think any amount of money is ridiculous no matter what the cause/reason. i think the amount isn't too bad but that's besides the point. la is trying to do a good thing and it does seem like them make it a little out of reach for those that don't have piles of cash lying around.

[BrattyMeg]

It was worth every penny for me too back when I did it (back when it was $2000 and i was in shape)

In this day and economy..it's going to be hard no matter what to raise that kind of money. I don't see people parting with their funds as much and it'll be hard to rely on businesses. I didn't pay a fee b/c it was sponsored by my job and a group of us walked it.

If you want to walk the 3day see if there are any local chapers or groups in your area and maybe there's a sponsorship that can offset the amt of $$ raised.

I stick to Relay for Life and Race for the Cure these days..not nearly as long of a walk (you can run them) and they have some fun activites for kids

[iJenny]

The thing that would worry me is if I am unable to make the requirement of $2300 in donations and end up owing that money out of my own pocket. Especially in today's economy, I know I am personally unable to make the kind of donations that I have in the past. Besides, there are lots of other ways to raise money for the cause.

And Col, no one was putting down the walk. They were just commenting on the fact that the amout of *required* donations is a bit daunting and possibly unfeasible for some.

[Amber1279]

just wondering outloud La .... could you do a kit that could go in the store and the proceeds would go towards your "required" donation??

[AmyM]

I understand the point is to raise as much money as possible for the foundation. That said, it looks like they would be willing to take whatever people can afford to give. Most folks can't afford a commitment to raise 2300 (especially when you have children, regardless of how well off you are college is not cheap these days) and 90 is way too much to ask just to participate. If they want a fundraiser geared towards the upper echelon, or people well enough off to commit to that much, maybe they should have one of those fancy schmancy 2300 bucks a plate dinners. It's not financially friendly to the general public.

[AnnieBananie]

I think the point here is that "Upper Echelon" is a completely different term when you have kids. It consists of anyone who doesn't have to look at $90 and think of all the things that money would buy their children. Yeah, somebody could argue that it's well worth it to support the cause but I wouldn't do it and I'm a BC survivor so does that mean I don't want to see it cured for my sake and my children's sake? No, it means that I appreciate those people who DON'T have to see diapers and groceries and school fees in that money, but that I understand my limitations and this particular event doesn't happen to be within it.

No one said "OMGAH what a waste of money!" but a person has to see the point in the issues with the fundraising minimum... I'm sure it's POSSIBLE to raise that money, even in this economy, and I'm POSITIVE that if people COULD, they would... but WHAT IF??? What if it comes short, then what? Then what else do we see in that money? A roof over our kids' heads? The gas bill? I hate pulling the "mom" card, but that's what this boils down to. *I* would go without to support the cause, without question, but I would not make that sacrifice for my children. I simply can't.

[jaylensmom]

i know with the luekemia & lymphoma society marathon if you don't raise the entire amount they will charge the balance to your credit card...

[Tracie Stroud]

Originally Posted by AnnieBananie

I think the point here is that "Upper Echelon" is a completely different term when you have kids. It consists of anyone who doesn't have to look at $90 and think of all the things that money would buy their children. Yeah, somebody could argue that it's well worth it to support the cause but I wouldn't do it and I'm a BC survivor so does that mean I don't want to see it cured for my sake and my children's sake? No, it means that I appreciate those people who DON'T have to see diapers and groceries and school fees in that money, but that I understand my limitations and this particular event doesn't happen to be within it.

No one said "OMGAH what a waste of money!" but a person has to see the point in the issues with the fundraising minimum... I'm sure it's POSSIBLE to raise that money, even in this economy, and I'm POSITIVE that if people COULD, they would... but WHAT IF??? What if it comes short, then what? Then what else do we see in that money? A roof over our kids' heads? The gas bill? I hate pulling the "mom" card, but that's what this boils down to. *I* would go without to support the cause, without question, but I would not make that sacrifice for my children. I simply can't.

Word.