Charity is an amazing concept. Organizations show a need for donations and people of all different walks of life accept the challenge and donate. Whether it’s time, or money, or tangible items, charity is interesting because everyone who wants to help has their own story about why they offered their help. For example, I did the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer with my mom in 2014. I did it because my grandma is a survivor, but every single person who participated in that walk was there for a different reason, but none-the-less, one that meant the world to them.
Now let me tell you, walking 60 miles to bring awareness to breast cancer isn’t easy. The blisters and cuts on my feet were nasty and I still have no idea how I managed to walk every single mile. But walking wasn’t the hardest part of the experience for me. Raising the money was. In order to participate in The 3-Day, you must raise a minimum of $2,300. Since my mom and I did it together, our fundraising goal was double that.
Asking people for money is weird and awkward. Nobody likes asking for money, but how else would charities meet their fundraising goals?! It’s also really interesting to see who pulls through. People you would never expect to, give large donations and it has the power to remind you that you should never doubt anyone.
I am no stranger to raising money. I raised money when I was 10 so I could be a student ambassador and travel to Europe. I raise money each year for my town's local Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society. I asked for money again when I did the 3-Day during the summer of 2014. Each time I met my goal, thanks to determination and the generosity of the people around me.
On a personal level, my cousin Cathy broke her neck in a fall about a year ago. I remember it well: we got the phone call on my birthday that she had fallen, had emergency surgery, and was going to have a long road to recovery. Cathy went from a completely healthy woman to wheelchair-bound in an instant.
Since the day of her accident, Cathy has had the most positive outlook on the situation. She has been in rehabilitation programs since her fall and has been learning to walk again. She has made more progress in a year's time than one could ever hope, but she still has a long way to go.
Unfortunately, insurance only covers so much of Cathy’s rehabilitation opportunities, and the bills are overwhelming. I set up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise some money in order to help cover the costs of the next step to recovery.
The response was unbelievable. Within 24 hours, we had raised over $1,000 for Cathy from multiple generous individuals. With the power of the internet, friends, family, and even strangers, raised so much to help Cathy’s cause. I was amazed. Not only was I shocked by the amount of money we had raised, but also the outpouring support that came with it. I hate asking for money, but for Cathy, so many people were willing to pull through.
Charity is an amazing concept. Giving is an amazing thing. The people who give and receive donations are amazing. Helping one another is amazing. Money makes the world go round, but kindness can go even further.
If you are interested in donating to Cathy’s cause visit https://www.gofundme.com/355rtk4n.
