give me your money?

Question

i am doing a sponsored run for cancer research uk and was wondering if it was too cheeky to ask complete strangers for money if most people think not i'll give out my web address thanks every little helps xxxx stay tuned

Answer 1

This is going to sound awfully cynical. But I think that many of the larger charities, in particular, have become an end in themselves.
They have grown so large, they have staff to pay and an administration to keep going. They are a little like the public sector, in that they tend not to be accountable for how efficiently they spend their money, also, for the results that they achieve. I don't think that it is unfair to suggest that they may not be in a hurry to find cures for cancer, because then, they would all be out of a job. In recent times, they compared very poorly, in terms of life expectancy for cancer patients, with both the USA and Germany. I am equally cynical about the drug companies finding a cure for the common cold, they are making too much money out of not curing it.

I have some experience of cancer, because my wife died from it a short number of years ago. Best practise, in terms of surgery, is not always followed on the grounds of cost. The Macmillan nurse that attended my wife acknowledged this.

Also the research into cancer cure seems very disjointed, with oncology, pharmaceutical companies and surgeons seemingly travelling down seperate tram lines without talking to each other.

I am not accusing cancer charities of deliberately not finding cures, I am suggesting that there is a kind of inertia that develops out of self interest. Also the cost of new procedures can also be used as a way of slowing things down, particularly in the UK, where NHS politics can come into it, ie. if we can't give all patients the new treatment right away, then, nobody gets it.

However, the problem isn't with people like yourself, who selfishly raise new money, it is, I believe, at the delivery end.

PS - I am not bitter, just giving you the benefit of my experience. And it is only my opinion.

Answer 2

Since you are 15 years old (how did I know that?), if you invest that $1000 into a growth mutual fund (something like the Muhlenkamp Fund, MUHX), it will likely earn 14-15% a year over the long-term, so if you forgo any more "eletronics" (not sure what they are, LOL!) your $1000 could easily grow, all on its own, to be $1,000,000 by the time you are sixty, without you doing ANYTHING. Please print this answer out and save it. Maybe you will come across it when you are 60, broke, hating your job and surrounded by old clothes!

Answer 3

There's nothing wrong with that. I raise money every year for the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I ask complete strangers for money every September and October. In fact, I'm taking donations right now, if anyone would like to donate. E-mail me.

Answer 4

The only drawback is how do we know it isn't a scam? I get at least 5 emails a day telling me I won the internet lottery or other types of scams. People are skeptical due to all the fraudsters.

Answer 5

you would have to offer more than a web address to get my money. I need many web sites, and phone numbers. Something that will let me know this is legit.

Answer 6

If it's for a good cause nothing is too cheeky. As long as it's not a scam.

Answer 7

For good reasons, I don't give money to strangers, and only sign sponsorship forms when these are shown in person.

Answer 8

unlikey to work over the internet im afraid - try standing in a shopping center with a collection box

Answer 9

I'll sponsor you hun, I did it last year in honour of my nan and i've got utmost respect for everyone who does it.

Answer 10

cancer research is always a good cause. it is something that can or has affected everyone in someway. go for it!! good luck with your run.