How do you help a neighbor who just had surgery or is going through cancer treatment? Bring a lasagna, maybe? What if your neighbor doesn't need food, but money? Can they ask? Would you give?
I am intrigued by GiveForward, an online forum for asking for money. From the home page:
"GiveForward pages empower friends and family to send love and financial support to patients as they navigate a medical crisis.... spread hope and contribute to a loved one's out-of-pocket medical expenses."
According to the website, GiveForward has raised $6,442,042 for medical expenses and other causes.
To use this service, you (1) create a page on the GiveForward website, (2) promote the page via email, twitter, facebook, (3) when fundraiser reaches the end date, GiveForward subtracts 7% of proceeds and sends the balance to you.
This project addresses a real need in today's times. As described in a Life Rearranged blog post,
"...cancer is financially overwhelming for just about anyone, so a little extra money to reduce the added stress of bills and co-pays can go a long way.
Sadly, instead of giving money, everyone just kept giving food.... All the neighbors knew that the Gormans could use extra money to get through this difficult period, yet, no one wanted to talk about it. It was the proverbial elephant in the room."
Can people use GiveForward for scams? I suppose so. But you're fine if you donate only to someone you know.
I agree that you should only donate to someone you know. Scams about in this world, and I am more skeptical than ever about donations, especially those involving cancer patients. Playing the cancer card increases the odds of inducing sympathy and guilt in the potential donor.
Jan
Posted by: Jan Hasak | September 19, 2011 at 11:15 AM
I'm so glad you wrote about this. It was brought to my attention earlier this year and I not only wrote about it but created a GiveForward page to help a dear friend with breast cancer who was 110% there for me when I had lung cancer in 2002.
My friend had no need for meals - her church group took care of that - but what she needed was money to cover health care costs. She was unemployed at the time.
Her GiveForward campaign raised almost $10,000 within one month. It was a true blessing for not only my friend, but for all of us who were able to help her.
Why is there such a societal taboo against giving money, or admitting that we need it? Doesn't matter why - what matters is that we open our hearts in every way possible to those gut-punched by cancer. If that means opening our pocketbooks, all the better.
"There but for the grace of God go I."
Always hope,
Lori Hope
www.LoriHope.com
Posted by: Lori | September 19, 2011 at 11:26 AM