English - International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation

MEMBER STORIES: UNIQUE WAYS TO FUNDRAISE
b y Julie Jakicic, Fundraising Team
The O’Soro family at this year’s party: from l to r, Jessica & Mike O’Soro,
Greg & Jen Afarian, Charles & Nancy O’Soro, Lisa & Steve Lawton.
There are many ways you can help the IWMF raise funds
without stretching your wallet any further. Have you thought
about asking your friends, family members, or colleagues to
donate in your honor when celebrating a birthday or event?
Have you considered holding a fundraiser? Over the past six
months a number of our members used different approaches
with much success. The following are some examples.
When Edward Goldberg was diagnosed with WM, his
colleagues asked what they could do to help. Edward asked
them to donate to the IWMF, and they enthusiastically
responded. Then he took it one step further. As a benefit to
his medical staff during his professional career as the CEO
of a large hospital, Edward would coach staff children who
were applying to medical school, dental school, veterinarian
school, or nursing school by reviewing their personal
statements and coaching their interview techniques. Edward
retired in November 2012. He continues to coach children of
the hospital employees, but he now charges a fee and asks
that it be sent to the IWMF. To date his program has raised
$3,625.
A personal approach can be very effective. Judy and Mal
Roseman, for example, have donated to charities on behalf
of friends and family members for years, without ever asking
for donations in support of their charity of choice, the IWMF.
A friend finally inquired when they were going to ask him
to support their charity. Mal and Judy thought about it, and,
as Mal explains, “We initially felt awkward, asking friends,
neighbors, and family members for money, but our friends
encouraged us.” So they crafted an e-mail, sent it out, sat back,
and waited. Everyone responded enthusiastically! Several
friends increased the value of their contributions through
matching gift programs at their place of employment. That
well-crafted e-mail even inspired one friend to become further
involved. Now he is lining up prizes so that he can hold his
own raffle next year in order to raise funds in honor of Judy!
Marcia and Ken Wierda raise money for the IWMF in several
ways. Marcia asked friends and family to donate to the IWMF
in honor of her recent birthday. Ken’s employees surprised
him with an office collection sent to the IWMF in his name.
Marcia and Ken also have a vacation condo that they rent to
friends and family, and the rent is directed to the IWMF. When
Carl Harrington was elected as IWMF’s President, his wife
Elly sent a letter to their friends and family, asking if they
would honor this momentous occasion by sending a donation
to the IWMF in Carl’s honor. Thirty-five people responded to
Elly’s request! The IWMF received further donations when
Martin Edelman turned 80 (congratulations, Martin!) this
year and asked his friends and family to send donations to the
IWMF instead of giving him gifts. And family and friends
joined Norman and Sharon Poteshman in celebrating their
Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary by sending donations to the
IWMF in lieu of gifts.
Collectively, the Rosemans, the Wierdas, the Harringtons,
the Poteshmans, and Martin Edelman have raised $33,645 by
their personal appeals!
The O’Soro family has turned fundraising for the IWMF into
an annual event, a festive party that the guests look forward
to every year. When Nancy O’Soro was diagnosed with
WM, her three children wanted to find a way to increase
recognition of this orphan disease this orphan disease as
well as to raise funds. And so the O’Soro Family Fundraiser
was born. Now the whole family pitches in to create a night
to remember. Every January the O’Soro family and friends
rent a hall and find a DJ or band to play pro bono. Fliers
are sent in advance to friends, family, and colleagues, and
tickets are also sold in advance. Many people bring food
and raffle prizes. Apart from the hall rental, there is no other
overhead cost. The raffle is typically the hit of the party.
Nancy’s husband Charles donated an iPad mini this year;
other items included a Starbucks Verismo coffee maker, wine
baskets, tailgating baskets, gift cards to local restaurants,
Bruins tickets, and more. All the proceeds from ticket sales
go directly to the IWMF. As Lisa Lawton, Nancy’s daughter,
describes the O’Soro event, “I have people telling me in
October how excited they are for the fundraiser coming up
in January. It’s a really nice way to recognize my mother and
her illness as well as visit with family and friends and have
a night of socializing and dancing.” This year was the tenth
year for the O’Soro Family Fundraiser! Over the course of
ten years they’ve raised $47,755 for the IWMF!
In the past we’ve received donations from small business
owners who donate a portion of their sales. We’ve received
contributions through members running in marathons
and riding in bike races. You can do the same by holding
a fundraiser or by asking your friends, family members,
and colleagues to donate in your honor for an upcoming
celebratory event or just because! Be creative! Make it fun!
As the IWMF members mentioned above have proven, it can
be as simple as asking.
IWMF TORCH Volume 14.2
17