LATHROP, CA –
Her facebook page is covered in ribbons of all
colors. 
Each one has a name, and a title: “survivor,” “fighter,” and
“in memory.” For Carol Smith, the beginning of summer means the beginning of
another round of fundraising for her team – The Cancer Kickers.
“My sister Kari was diagnosed with breast
cancer in 2010. Just about the same time, William (then 8) was a part of
CubScouts and his local leader challenged the boys to fill a 2-litre bottle
with pennies to donate to Relay For Life. William started calling everyone in
our family and instead of filling 1 bottle ... he filled 17! He raised $1543 IN
PENNIES that first year. The second year, William wanted to raise MORE money
than the year before ... we decided the best way to do this was to start our
OWN team. And the rest is history!”
(For more on the story of William’s work
with pennies, see this article: http://www.mantecabulletin.com/archives/26335/)
The Smith family works together to raise
money for the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) through the Relay For Life event (www.relayforlife.org). “We
participated first in 2010; we were individuals on someone else's
"team". In 2011, we formed a family team, the Cancer Kickers, and
have "relayed" since then collectively as The Cancer Kickers. Our
family team has members from California, Idaho, Washington and Nevada. Many family
members travel to the event and it always serves as a mini family reunion for
us as well!”
It’s a reunion that brings together family,
friends, and supporters in an emotional tribute to those who have lost their
battles and those who are continuing to fight. Jen Pellizzari, a friend of
Carol’s who walked as part of her team in 2014 described her experience. “Before [the event] I was doing it to join a team and make
new friends. During [the event], EMOTIONAL. They do a video slideshow of people
who have lost their battle as well as a luminary where they light up hundreds
of bags that have peoples name on them. It was amazing and heartbreaking all at
the same time.”
High emotions are to be expected at an
event that touches so many lives. For the 2013 fiscal year, ACS raised over 975
million dollars (nearly 885 million of which was from the general public) (ACS
2014 Stewardship Report http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/documents/document/acspc-045486.pdf.pdf). The Cancer Kickers are proud to be doing their part. “Since 2010,
our family has raised more than $72,500 for the American Cancer Society. The
monies raised are used for research, education, services and advocacy.”
For 2015, donations to Cancer Kickers are
in full swing. As of June 25, the team total is at $9,550. Nearly half of their
$20,000 goal by July 18. Carol explains that the key to successful fundraising
is just to ask. “ASK EVERYONE YOU KNOW FOR A DONATION! Most people I run into
that say "I can't raise that much
money" can't because they don't ask. If you don't ask, the answer will
always be no. Many people feel that a donation needs to be significant ($50+)
to make a difference. But I have had many people THANK ME for asking them
because they had a family member battling and they didn't know how they could
make a difference.”
Her straightforward approach is certainly
working. Last year (2014) she raised her personal best - $2500+ by simply asking
for a $5 from everyone she knew. “Of course, many people gave more than $5, but
when some friends realized that $5 helped, they were willing. Whereas if I had
just asked for a "donation" they might have said no thinking I needed
at least $25 - $50.” It’s working again this year – for 2015, Carol herself has
already raised $1,025 of her $2,000 personal goal.
(To see the Cancer Kicker’s current total,
or to donate, go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=68475&pg=team&team_id=1683471
To see Carol’s personal total, or to
donate, go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=17628587&fr_id=68475&pg=personal).
