The Power of Your Donation

Whenever I make a donation, the biggest question in my head is how much to give. I'm not in a position to give a lot of money to anyone, even the causes closest to my heart. But then, what does a small donation actually do? Surely in the fight against cancer, $25, $40 or even $50 is a meaningless sum, right?

To give you a little perspective, I wanted to share some figures a teammate recently sent me (thanks, Cem!), with some comparisons to what a similar amount of money would buy in my life, and perhaps yours.

• $25 - Covers the cost of one prescription co-payment.
• Three or four drinks out at a bar, including tip and tax - a typical Happy Hour for many people.
• $35 - Provides transportation expenses for a patient living in the DC area to a comprehensive cancer center for treatment.
• Fairly standard dinner out for 1, including a drink, tax and tip.
• $40 - Covers the cost of sending a comprehensive support and informational packet to the family of a child with cancer.
• 1 tank of gas in a compact car, like my Honda Civic. 
• $50 - Covers the cost of one (potentially life-saving) CT scan.
• A new sweater, skirt or pair of pants.
• $75 - Covers the cost of one tissue typing test that is used to become a bone marrow donor.
• 1 month gym membership.
• $100 - Helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures
• 1 ticket to an arena-level concert, like Coldplay or Jay-Z.
• $150 - Provides for 5 patients to make a First Connection with a trained peer volunteer patient/survivor.
• A new Amazon Kindle and case. 
• $200 - Provides funding for a Family Support Group Program for one year where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members mediated by a trained facilitator.
• A plane ticket from DC to Boston, Chicago or Vermont. 
• $500 - Provides a patient with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma financial aid to support medical treatment and travel to medical appointments for one year.
• A new TV or PC computer.

Of course I don't expect anyone to sacrifice a trip to see a friend or a new computer to support my efforts and LLS. But hopefully this helps you realize that your donation, no matter how small, can have a positive impact on the life of someone fighting this disease.