Fundraising for Cancer Treatment

Having a friend or family member diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming for everyone involved. Focusing on the treatment, mental health, physical health and recovery of the patient is paramount. Despite having the desire to assist their loved one, it can be difficult for friends and family members to know how they can help. 

While there are no set rules when it comes to helping someone with cancer, here are some practical tips to assist you in supporting your loved one as best as you can.

Show you care

Check in regularly on your friend or family member. While you don’t want to pester them— especially if they are not feeling great — sending short, but frequent, notes, texts, Facebook messages or emails lets them know you are thinking about them and you are there for them when/if they need your help.

Don’t bombard your friend or family member with 1000 questions but do ensure you regularly ask if there is anything they need such as food, lifts to the hospital, a cleaner or just some company.

Return their messages right away

While it might be awkward to speak about finances, make sure you broach the idea of financial support or help during their treatment. Financial pressure puts enormous strain on anyone, let alone someone with serious health issues. Many cancer patients struggle to cover the cost of their mortgage, general living expenses and non-PBS medication while they undergo treatment.

More family members and friends are turning to crowdfunding as a way to help cancer patients during this time. Friends, family members, coworkers and associates are more than happy to contribute to someone’s recovery. A mycause campaign can easily assist in getting these donations and dispersing them monthly to the patient's bank account.

You may even decide to set a challenge for yourself while your loved one battles their own challenges. Why not run a marathon, shave your head or hike a mountain to fundraise for cancer treatment? You can set up a campaign for whatever challenge you like on mycause; showing your support for your friend or family member by raising money for cancer treatment. 
 

Strength in numbers

Helping someone with cancer does not need to be overwhelming. You can join forces with a group of friends, family members or coworkers and give your support in numbers.

If you do decide to fundraise for your friend or family member, then each of you can be responsible for different parts of the campaign (starting page, working with the patient on getting images, sending out to people to donate). Everyone should promote the campaign on their own social media accounts, to get as much support as possible. 

Each month, approximately 100 Australians start a cancer fundraising campaign on mycause for someone they love. You can fundraise to help your friend or family member with their relocation costs, household expenses, loss of wages, non-PBS drugs, overseas treatment or even achieving their bucket list.

Cancer, how it can affect your finances

Cancer can cause some significant financial problems. A cancer sufferer who is absent from work for quite some time might need additional financial assistance. Your family member or friend’s salary can decrease if they work shorter hours to incorporate time for treatment in their schedule.

Ongoing visits to a health professional can cause an even bigger strain on a person's finances. When battling cancer, you will have to consider fuel expenses, accommodation (if a specialist isn’t nearby) and other treatment costs.

To alleviate some of the financial burden, you can set up a fundraiser and create a community event to help raise funds for cancer treatment and medication.

You can also raise money for a cancer cause or charity selected by your loved one, giving support to other people battling against cancer. 

Support your friend with cancer

A loved one battling cancer might find it hard to ask someone for help, in fear of seeming needy or vulnerable. You can play a pivotal role for a family member or friend living with cancer. 

They may trust you and feel close enough to share their greatest struggles and deepest emotions. This is your opportunity to provide the support your family or friend will need during their excruciating journey with cancer.

Cancer patients can develop different kinds of coping strategies to help with emotional challenges throughout their battle with cancer. Some people are open to sharing their emotional challenges, while some are reserved and prefer to work through their concerns in solitude. Create a mycause campaign to fundraise for their treatment and recovery.