Team Angel’s Wings is a new Friends of Heroes affiliate, but they are not new to Light The Night or blood cancers. National Co-captain Jenn Burgess interviewed Helen Bailey, captain of Angel’s Wings to find out more about why they participate in Light The Night.

Angel Marie

Can you tell us a little bit about how your team Angel’s Wings started?

My son, James Rodriguez, had a friend/classmate whose younger sister, Angel, developed leukemia. Angel’s mother asked for donations, help and support for Light The Night, so I decided to get a team together of James’s classmates to help.

Two years later, my mother Estela Bailey was diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma. And, a grandparent of one of our walkers was also diagnosed with cancer, so I decided to keep the team going in their honor.

How are Angel and your mom doing today post-treatment?

Angel is doing great! She was the honored hero for last year’s Light The Night walk and is now in first grade. Angel only needs to visit the clinic for treatment every six months (instead of every day!) which allows her to live a “normal” life. Due to additional complications, doctors did not share hope that she would make it this far. We’re thrilled that she proved the doctors wrong!

My mom is back to being a mom! I am grateful she is doing well and here to watch my kids and grandkids grow up.

It’s so good to hear they are doing well!! Events like Light The Night fund blood cancer research and helps families through patient services programs. Survival rates have increased dramatically in the past 30 years, yet a cure is still needed.

Let’s talk about Light The Night! What made you decide to become a part of FOH as an affiliate?

A new co-worker (Jenn) invited me to a local baseball game which was a fundraising and awareness event for Light The Night. She told me about her team, Friends of Heroes, so I looked up their website and between what I read about the pediatric cancer research grants and the excitement she showed about their success stories and fundraising, I decided to join her team as an affiliate.

Please share a little bit about your planning leading up to the walk. What are your plans for team fundraising this year? Is there anything that worked well in the past?

I am trying to recruit as many members as possible at work and school, plus friends and family. I want to get everyone together for a meeting to decided other ways to raise money like making pins, buttons, ribbons, etc. to sell. Maybe hold a car wash, bake sale, etc.

I also have the help of my daughter, Nicole Bustinza, as a co-captain. She is able to run errands, deliver walker information and pick up donations when I’m at work. Together, we are able to reach more people.

You’re good at recruiting and motivating people. What do you say to encourage people to walk and raise money for Light The Night?

I tell them that participating in this walk may one day help save the lives of their children, family or friends like it did for Angel and my mom. What cause could be better?

When someone asks you what Light The Night means to you, what do you tell them?

It gives me the opportunity to help save lives!

Helen, thanks so much for sharing more about your team and what you are doing this year. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think since so many children have been afflicted by this disease, we should target schools to help.

Well said! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a priority to help young patients and has initiated the Trish Greene Back to School Program for the Child with Cancer. The program is designed to help parents, teachers and administrators when a child in their school has cancer. Programs like these can help schools and care givers provide the best possible chance for pediatric patients to renter their schools and succeed.

To donate to or join Helen and her team, visit Team Angel’s Wings.

Check out the photos from the baseball game fundraiser and awareness event. Walkers who purchased tickets walked onto the field with the twinkling lights. For each ticket purchased, $5 was donated directly back to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To plan a similar event in your city, contact the Community Relations Manager for your local ball club. (Mouseover the sides of the large photo to navigate.)

Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.

Each year Friends of Heroes is led by a group of amazing team captains who commit to walking, raising money and leading a team for Light The Night. Because of the work that they do, we are taking steps toward a cure. Without our team captains, team Friends of Heroes would not be the same.

It is with our deepest gratitude that we say “Thank You” to all of our Friends of Heroes captains – both local teams and affiliate teams – for their time and efforts.

If you want to join this distinguished group and help us save lives through research, please check for a local Light The Night here.

Data collected from active.com reports. If you are a team captain and we missed you, please let us know! Contact Kathie at tcrelations@friendsofheroes.org

Why I walk…

I walk for Allie. It is as simple as that. Allison Leigh Scott changed my whole world the instant I clicked on her website (www.scotthousehold.com). Before Allie, I never understood, I never considered, I never cared. Not because I was unkind or cruel, but because I was unaware.

I gave birth to and am blessed to be the mother of two beautiful and amazing sons, both of whom are the absolute center of my universe. Now, I know what it means to love someone so intensely that it’s hard to breathe without them. Because of Logan and Grayson, I understand a mother’s love. Because of Allie, I understand a mother’s pain. Leukemia took “our” Allie away, and although I never met her, I loved her so, through her mother’s eyes, through her mother’s words…

Allie changed my life, and I will never be the same, nor do I want to be the same. Now, I want to be different, I want to make a difference, and I know I CAN make a difference. Now, I will ask people for their money, for their time, for their support, even for their blood. It is the least I can do, the very least one mother can do for another mother, for any other mother trying to learn again how to breathe after her breath has been stolen away, her world has been cast into shadow, and her beautiful child has been stolen by this disease.

I walk for those mothers. I walk for those children. I walk for my own children, beautiful and healthy and the very essence of my beating heart. I walk because I can’t imagine life without my boys, my sweet princes.

But most of all, I walk for Allie.

Written by Jenny Feeney, local team captain in Northern New Jersey who first walked for Light The Night in 2004.

To support Jenny’s Light The Night walk, visit her donation page at http://www.active.com/donate/ltnWestfi/2373_JennyC724

Thanks, Jenny, for letting us post your essay here!

All too often we hear too much negative in our lives. We hear about crime, financial troubles, and so on. You can go to your e-mail and read about the new virus going around… those silly e-mails telling you that if you don’t forward it, your computer is going to blow up. It all seems so negative.

However, I still feel great inside knowing that we are taking a part as a large team and spreading some good news for a change. We are less than $4,000 away from $1,000,000 earned! That is a HUGE milestone! Something that we have been working hard on for the last 4 years!

It is truly amazing how a group of strangers can come together as a family and complete such a task. That is what Friends of Heroes is all about. We are a family…though many of us have never met. We are still linked together with a passion for a cure….the cure for cancer. We have grieved together, smiled together, and I know that there have been a few laughs in there as well.

You HAVE made a difference.

The first year that we started I looked at my fundraising and thought “I only made $50”….the dreaded word “only”. It should have been a positive “I made $50 and a HUGE difference”. Looking at it today, that $50 made us closer to a cure and to where our team is now.

As a team, I KNOW that we can make it well over $1,000,000! We just need that final push. We are all here to support each other. My five-year-old daughter gave me a quote to live by several months ago and I just keep repeating it when I feel discouraged “You know, just try your best because that is what we are made to do”. I know that we can do that. I know we can do our best. I can say this with all of my heart.

I hope in the near future, we won’t be here fighting for the cure for cancer, because we already helped find the cure! We will be here CELEBRATING the cure! But until that day, let’s stick together, fight for a cure and have fun in the process!

Written by Beck M.
Pictured above with Kelly, her Light The Night executive director, after receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Thank you for stopping by day 5 of Blogging for Blood Cancer. Today’s prize is 5 sets of vinyl wall decals (value=$48.00) courtesy of Stakersensations. Yesterday’s winner was commenter # 25 – Nikki! She knew that FOH and its Affiliate teams have raised over $958,241 in four seasons!

To qualify to win, leave a comment with an answer to the question after reading the post.

Five years ago, we all started because of a blue eyed baby girl named Allie. Five years later we are still here and going strong, in fact each year we grow stronger. Friends of Heroes has become a big part of each of our lives, and we are still making a huge difference each year. Five years from now we all share the same hope that there will be no need for us, because we will have a cure.

Friends of Heroes, formerly Friends of Allie and Allie’s Angels, is the largest national Friends and Family Light The Night team in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s history. The team was originally created to honor Allie Scott, an 8 month old baby from Allen, TX who passed away from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in September 2004. You can read more about the inspiration for Friends of Heroes (here).

Since then, Friends of Heroes has grown dramatically in both size and focus. The team not only retains a core group of over 600 registered walkers, but also welcomes several affiliate teams across the country. In the 2007 Light The Night season, Friends of Heroes had a team presence at 60 walksites and raised a $114,000 dollars in the fight against blood cancers.

Friends of Heroes and affiliates actively fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, with a passion and focus towards eradicating pediatric blood cancers. We strive to incorporate honored children at each walksite – local children who are either currently undergoing treatment or in remission from any blood cancer.

The Friends of Heroes Light The Night team is overseen by national team leaders, volunteers who oversee fundraising and team organization, as well as a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Friends and Family national manager. We always welcome new volunteers, and encourage you to contact any of the team leaders for more information on how to get involved in our mission.

Our Mission Statement

As Friends of Heroes, we are a volunteer organization whose purpose is:

• To raise money toward pediatric blood cancer research and patient services through Light The Night walks.
• To make a positive difference in the lives of families affected by pediatric cancer.
• To invoke awareness in our local communities of the need for cancer research.
• To build an international network of individuals and teams who share our passion and goal to raise money for an awareness of pediatric blood cancer.

Five years later…………………

Reflecting back over my years with Friends of Heroes and doing the Light the Night walks my first thought goes to the children and their families. How their world must have been turned upside down to find out that someone they loved was diagnosed with Leukemia/Lymphoma. My second thought goes to what if that would happen to my son or daughter wouldn’t I hope that people would do the same as I’m doing which is VOLUNTEERING my time to make the difference in someone else’s life.
If you’ve never walked in the Light the Night before let me tell you it’s a wonderful experience and you should really consider doing one. It’s a night that people get together to honor and remember those who have or are battling this awful disease. Seeing the crowds of people and the balloons flickering as the sun goes down and at our walk in St. Louis we see the sidewalk towards of the end of the walk we see candles inside bags lining the walkway of the people we just walked in honor or in memory of. It’s an experience that keeps bringing me back year after year.
Kathie Team Captain relations

“Friends of Heroes is a part of my life. After meeting several cancer heroes, it makes me want to work HARDER to find a cure. I really hope that in 5 years, Friends of Heroes will not be here, BECAUSE there is a cure for blood cancers!”
Beck Social Networks Coordinator

Why am I still walking five years later…Because mother’s are still losing their children to this horrible disease. No child should have to fight for their lives. They should be enjoying being a child. No mother should have to watch as their child suffers from this devastating disease wondering if they will make it to their next birthday. Until every child is cured or even better blood cancer is preventable, I still have a job to do and my job is to help raise funds and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their critical mission. I hope you will all join me in this important fight.
Lois National Co-Captain

Five years later, I am still involved with Friends Of Heroes and Light the Night because, I truly believe that we will find a cure in my life time. These children are our future, and I want no other child to loose their life to this horrible disease. I believe that Friends of Heroes can and is making a huge difference in the fight against cancer. We will keep making a difference and I will always be involved in that until we have no more cancer to raise funds and awareness about and for.
Christy Blog

Hope. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) provides hope to thousands of blood cancer patients each year because of research funded through events like Light The Night.

Five years ago, the five-year survival rate for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, was only 55%. Today the five-year survival rate is 90.5%. Patients are living longer, better lives!

I am extremely hopeful that in another five years we will see incredible advancements toward a cure, but there is still so much work to be done! Acute myeloid leukemia is still around 50% survival. Those odds need to improve! Families shouldn’t have to lose their precious ones to this devastating disease.

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” – Denis Waitley

Please join us to make a difference!
Jenn National Co-Captain

Enter to win today’s prize
5 sets of vinyl wall decals (value=$48.00) courtesy of Stakersensations
How many registered walkers did FOH have in 2007? Hint: You will find the answer is in this post. Wink, wink.]
You’ll also be entered for our grand prize to be drawn Monday for a $900 Timberland and Lacoste product assortment, courtesy of Samsonite. (Comments are moderated.)
Make sure to stop back all week for more information and even more chances to win!

For the past four years, Friends of Heroes took on the challenge to raise $100,000 nationally and earn a grant naming opportunity bestowed by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. With great determination and effort, Friends of Heroes succeeded and has three grants named in honor of our special heroes and in celebration of the work and soul of our group.

This past Light The Night season, after all of the 2007 totals and last-minute donations rolled in, Friends of Heroes surpassed the $100,000 goal needed to qualify for a grant naming opportunity!!! Together, we raised over $110,000!!! You did an amazing job!!!

Our selected grantee, Dr. Joseph Wiemels of the UCSF Cancer Center, will receive a grant named in honor of Friends of Heroes and our walkers, affiliate teams, and honored heroes.

Congratulations and thank you to each of YOU for making this a reality and helping so many patient families!

More April news

Welcome to the 2008 Friends of Heroes Team Leaders!

Each year, Friends of Heroes is comprised of volunteers who commit their time and efforts to raise money and awareness for blood cancer research and patient services. At the national level are a group of volunteers who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help our team captains, affiliates and walkers be successful in their Light The Night walks.

• Jenn & Lois – Co-Captains
• Christy – Blog
• Jennifer – Website/Tech
• Kathie – Team Captain Relations
• Carole – Affiliate Teams
• Beck – Social Networks

Special thanks to our 2007 Team Leaders – Beth, Kim, Lynette , Sara and Mary Anne – for all that you have done for Friends of Heroes!!!

Registration Open for Light The Night!

To see if your walk has been listed, go to http://teams.lightthenight.org/friendsofheroes.

If your walksite is listed, use the “Join” button to register with your previous login and password.
If you are also registering as a local Friends of Heroes team captain:

• Contact your local chapter’s LTN coordinator and ask to be set as the local team captain for Friends of Heroes.
• Email us at tcrelations [at] friendsofheroes.org so we can make sure you show up on the national roster of team captains.

All walks should be ready for registration by the end of March. If your walk isn’t listed yet, it will be soon!
For more information, visit http://www.friendsofheroes.org or contact teamleaders [at] friendsofheroes.org.

(For a list of sites as of 4-3, check this post.)

Remembering Ken Olson

Last month, Friends of Heroes top walker Kevin Wichers (Tucson) lost his brother in law, Ken, to leukemia. Once again, this is a difficult reminder of why our mission to help find a cure is so important.

Our deepest condolences, prayers and positive thoughts to Kevin and the Olson family for their loss.

Within a few short weeks, we’ll be able to register for Light The Night 2008!

To see if your walk has been listed, go to http://teams.lightthenight.org/friendsofheroes.

If your walksite is listed, use the “Join” button to register. You should be able to use your previous login and password.

If you are also registering as a local Friends of Heroes team captain:

• Contact your local chapter’s LTN coordinator and ask to be set as the local team captain for Friends of Heroes.
• Email us at tcrelations [at] friendsofheroes.org so we can make sure you show up on the national roster of team captains.

All walks should be ready for registration by the end of March. If your walk isn’t listed yet, it will be soon!

There are exciting announcements for April! Stay tuned… !!!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, you can honor children stricken with cancer by forming your own Friends of Heroes Light The Night team. To start your team, click here for a list of available cities.

It’s here, the September 2007 Friends of Heroes Newsletter, in this newsletter you will find great articles, like:

• Swinging into September, by National Co-Captain Jenn B
• Check out this month’s team tidbits. If you’d like to be included in next month’s team tidbits you can e-mail them to teamleaders@friendsofheroes.org. Share your efforts!
• Learn about our latest marketing ad contest AND find the latest press release information.
• Meet our newest affiliate team, Yokayo Bio Fuels.
• MUCH MUCH MORE!

To view this newsletter, simply click here!

You read that right, two of our teams have been featured in the newspaper highlighting their incredible efforts.

Tucson, Arizona team Captain, Renee Rubio, who walks in honor of her grandson, Gavin was recently featured. You can read the article here.

The Friends of Heroes team in Crown Point, Indiana was recently feature in their newsletter. Team Captains Beth Fletcher, Lynette Murphy and motivated walker, Misti Howell, held the Friends of Heroes 5K Run and Family Walk on August 25th. You can read about their efforts here.

Razoo is a charitable, social networking site. Razoo is a community of people, changing the world one passion at a time. Razoo is having a contest for all charities to a create group on their site, all we have to do is recruit 100 members and we will be entered to win $10,000! $10,000 towards our 1 Million Dollar GOAL! It’s quick and easy, don’t delay – sign up today!

Walk for ‘heroes’ fighting leukemia

By Loni Nannini

Special to the Arizona Daily Star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.26.2007

There is life after leukemia, and Renee Rubio and the Friends of Heroes are taking steps to ensure it by raising funds through the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Rubio is the captain of the Tucson contingent of Friends of Heroes, the largest national Friends and Family Light the Night team in the history of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Last year, the local team raised more than $19,000 to fund pediatric blood cancer research and patient services; the national team had raised almost $850,000 as of January. Rubio said the endeavor is a labor of love for many of those involved.

“We consider the kids that are going through this heroes. It’s amazing how resilient they are,” said Rubio, who has experienced the reality of leukemia firsthand with her grandson, Gavin Kelley. Gavin, 5, is a survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy in Jacksonville, Fla.

Read more at:
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/197670.php

Article quoted from http://www.azstarnet.com

Often times, especially this time of year, I pay close attention to the amount of time and energy I spend on Friends of Heroes. I spend many hours a week on my local and national duties and sometimes I get lost in the tasks and have to remind myself of the importance of our mission, which is the children and their families.

Have you ever wondered what these families think about you as a volunteer with Friends of Heroes? How they feel about the time you put into raising money and awareness? These families, that inspired you, who have been through YOUR worst nightmare, ever wonder what they would say to you, given the chance?

Me, too.

So I asked them. I spoke with both Desiree Nichols, whose daughter Sammy battled leukemia and who is in now in remission. I also spoke to Melissa Rasmussen, whose two year old son, Donovan passed away in January of this year. I don’t think any one of us will ever forget his beautiful big eyes.

What would Melissa say to you, if given the chance? “Besides Thank you, I hope that volunteers everywhere and especially for LLS know that by giving a little can CHANGE A LOT. Volunteers everywhere have an enormous impact on how parents like myself feel when we look to the sky to our sweet angels and know that there are PEOPLE THAT REALLY DO CARE!!! During every treatment and every procedure I felt so helpless and alone and people that made the most difference in my life were people I didn’t know personally but were volunteers at hospitals and at every event FOR LLS. To date I have been apart of 7 different events and I have never felt more at home or comfortable during every event and every training. I am going to be apart of LLS in some capacity for as long as I can and perhaps a volunteer!”

Desiree Nichols, who is an affiliate team with FOH says that “being part of Friends of Heroes, raising funds and awareness for LLS is a great satisfaction. You meet so many wonderful families, caring people, and make a HUGE difference as one team. You have an awesome team behind you encouraging you, supporting you, and helping you the whole way! I’d like to stress to each and every walker to please remember this can happen to your child, niece, nephew, grandchild, etc. Today is the day to make a difference. Today is almost gone, and tomorrow may never come!”

Desiree continues, “Friends of Heroes means a great deal to the Nichols family. They have pretty much been there from the beginning of our journey through childhood cancer. We have met a lot of very special women and other cancer families that helped us emotionally in our time of need. Through endless guestbook signings, chatting with me when things were tough or celebrating joyous moments, and even helping me fundraise for the society countless times. Friends of Heroes will always have a special place in my heart. As long as I am alive I will always help them raise funds for LLS in hopes one day no child will have to endure what my daughter went through!”

When I read Desiree’s thoughts on Friends of Heroes, I can’t help but feel a tremendous sense of pride in that she feels exactly what we have always strived for. Mission successful for the Nichols Family. Mission continues for countless other families in their time of need.

Don’t forget the power of Friends of Heroes. The power of you.

In closing, you must know, whether you raise $10 or $100 the gratitude these families feel toward you and our entire national team, Melissa sums it up for me “I think the most striking emotion that I get when I see people come out and volunteer their own time is enormous “GRATITUDE”, gratitude that someone somewhere has touched their lives and that they are willing to go out and be amongst those that are still surviving and yet also opening their hearts to those remembering their angels that have been taken by such a devastating CANCER.”

-written by National Co-Captain Beth F.

Start your engines! It’s that time of year to kick your recruiting and fundraising into high gear! While you’re all revved up, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is offering YOU free gas to reward you for your efforts when you fundraise using your active.com account. When you register, you’ll receive the information you need to set up on-line fundraising, the easiest and fastest way to fundraise! If you need assistance, feel free to e-mail us at teamleaders@friendsofheroes.org or contact your local chapter!

Don’t delay, register today!

Are you up for The Challenge?

In last year’s walker survey, you asked for more help to develop your local teams. So, in response, we created a Team Point Challenge to support ways you can increase your local fundraising, recruiting and awareness activities!

By completing these tasks, each team will accrue points while boosting your team’s visibility and reaching out to potential walkers, sponsors and donors.

Team captains can keep a running total in a designated thread on the FOH message board and will be recognized in each newsletter. The final tally will be at the end of November with a prize for the team with the most points!

If you are ready to take your fundraising to the next level, don’t miss this challenge!

Points confirmed when walkers and/or donation totals appear in the active.com system. Stay tuned as more point categories may be added.

Point Criteria:	Point value:
Achieve MVP club: Local Team raises $2000+	15
Your recruited affiliate team raises $2000+	15
Get local PR (print, radio, tv)	10
Recruit an affiliate team	10
Recruit and register 5 fundraising walkers (Points count once they have raised $100 each)	10
Sign up a business to sell paper balloons	10
pan style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana;">Raise $250+	8
Receive a business sponsorship	8
Participate in team conference call (retroactive)	5
Attend your local LTN kick-off	5
Hold awareness day or fundraiser	5
Recruit a walker who raises $100	5
Post a local Craigs List ad (or MothersClick, VolunteerMatch)	5
Raise $100 (points for each $100 raised)	5
Submit a written Team Tidbit from your event	5 each
Forward the FOH newsletter to someone new (counts once per month)	2
Join a FOH social network and invite your friends	2
Post a FOH blinkie/ad on your blog or website	2
“WYDWYD” photo project	1 each
Submit event photos to Team Tidbits	1 each

Are you ready for the 2007 Team Captain Challenge? We are asking that each Team Captain consider setting a base goal of having their local team raise $2,000. How??? Each Team Captain recruits 8 walkers raising $250 and you’re there! Share the ideas below with your team members to help them reach their goal.

10 Ways for your Walkers to raise $250

1. Sponsor Yourself $25
2. Ask your Hair Dresser $25
3. Ask A Neighbor $25
4. Ask A Friend $25
5. Ask A Family Member $25
6. Ask Your Co-Worker $25
7. Ask Your Boss $25
8. Ask A Business you Frequent $25
9. Ask Someone At Your Place of Worship $25
10. Ask your Child’s School Principal $25
11. Ask your Child’s Teacher $25

TOTAL $250

8 walkers X $250 each = $2,000

10 walkers X $200 each = $2,000

Team Captains whose teams raise $2000+ will become part of the FOH Team’s Most Valuable Player Club and receive special recognition. MVP Team members will also be recognized for their outstanding efforts and contribution to their local teams!

(Originally from the July Newsletter)

By Jenn Burgess, National Co-Captain
jenn@friendsofheroes.org

WDYDWYD?

Do you know the first basic key to fundraising success? I bet you’re aching to know so you can implement it at your next awareness or fundraising event or add it to your active.com page!

If I told you the answer, would you commit it to memory and never forget it? Would you share this wisdom with a friend or neighbor? Are you ready for the answer?

WHY???

Really, that’s the answer. WHY do you do what you do (or WDYDWYD)? The foundation of being a successful fundraiser is knowing why we’re raising money.

As Friends of Heroes, we have a Mission Statement (at the right) that establishes our purpose and reason for joining together. It sounds great and looks good on paper but, in your heart, why are you a part of Friends of Heroes?

Like many of you, I was deeply touched by Allie Scott’s story three summers ago. I’ve lost a family member to leukemia and have a friend with myeloma. Along my journey with FOH, I’ve met countless others who have been affected in some way. I carry these stories with me as inspiration to raise awareness, to find a cure and make a difference. Without these connections, it would be easy for me to lose interest in fundraising and to take our Mission Statement for granted.

If you’ve lost your passion, take time to reflect and to rekindle your fire. Fundraisers who believe in the cause with a passion in their hearts can convey the need for a cure with purpose and persuasion.

Basic #1: What is your personal motivation? Why is Friends of Heroes and Light The Night important to you? Be sure to check out our WYDWYD Photo Project.

What is holding you back?

The second basic key to fundraising success is to address your obstacles.

Is it a lack of time? We make time for the things that are important to us and find ways to get them done. Start early on your fundraising or make a plan and pace yourself to reach your fundraising goals before your walk.

Lack of ideas? This is where teamwork comes into play – we share ideas and resources! The team message board [http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com] is the perfect place to bounce ideas off of other walkers and find inspiration and support. The monthly newsletter and website [http://www.friendsofheroes.org] also offer ideas and tools to help you.

Fear? Don’t be afraid to try something new or out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to send that second (or third) email blast to remind people about Light The Night. Go for it and see what opportunities open for you!

Complacency? This is only a state of mind. See Basic #1 above and search your heart for the answer. Reread a Caringbridge site that moves you. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and let their energy ignite your passion.

No local walkers? Work on small scale fundraisers like a yard sale or recycling ink jets for cash/LTN credits. Donate the proceeds from a Tupperware party (or something your friends will like). Start networking! This is a valuable personal skill to develop. The more people you talk to and meet, the greater chance you might find a new walker or LTN donor.

Let me tell you a little secret: I’m not a great fundraiser. My first LTN I raised $110. The second year I raised $100 and recruited people who raised over $300. Last year, I went after a corporate sponsor and our family raised $600.

Learning to raise money has been a growing process for me; I’ve had to work at it. At points along the journey, I have dealt with each of the issues above. Instead of giving up, I turned it into a personal challenge and focused my thoughts on the kids and families who will benefit from the patient services and cancer research. Every dollar counts!

Basic #2: By identifying the areas that need work or stop you from succeeding, you can create a plan to move forward or seek the help you need. To find activities that will help you fundraise and build your team, see the FOH Team Point Challenge!

The Power of One

One blue-eyed baby ignited our fire. One person shared the need for a cure with family and friends and it spread like wildfire as local LTN teams were formed. One national team joined in spirit to raise a phenomenal amount of money and support families through kind words. One million dollars – our ongoing fundraising goal.

As one team of individuals connected by the internet, we’ve shared ideas and combined our talent and resources to create a powerful synergy. Despite being separated by miles, we’ve offered each other moral support and encouragement. Who knew that our passionate efforts would result in three pediatric research grants named in our honor!

Can you imagine how much we would grow if we each secured one corporate sponsor, recruited one affiliate team, held one awareness day, got one paper balloon merchant, etc.??? Our combined efforts would add up quickly!

Basic #3: Teamwork is essential to reach our goal! Use the team message board to get involved, encourage your teammates and help build our high-performing team. Visit our team forum at http://friendsofheroes.proboards80.com/index.cgi

Basic #4: Don’t underestimate your abilities or reach in your local community even if you are a team of one. See article on Awareness Day Events on page# and Team Tidbits section to read what others are doing.

The Million Dollar Plan

This year, we are closer than ever to reaching the Million Dollar Goal! The fact that we are even close to a million dollars is amazing! You should all be proud to be a part of this unprecedented effort to find a cure for blood cancers!

To reach our stretch goal, we need 90 teams to raise $2000 or more. Breaking it down further, teams can achieve $2000 with 8 walkers raising $250 each or 10 walkers raising $200 each. (See “10 Ways to Reach $250”)

While this goal may sound challenging, we’ve achieved it in the last three years! As we go forward, this “formula” is the foundation for continuing to effectively raise our LTN monies and develop our team.

Basic #5: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” (Benjamin Franklin) By setting goals and planning to succeed, we will reach our goals!

THANK YOU for being part of Friends of Heroes. Each of you has a critical role as we continue to strive for our benchmarks. Your Team Leaders are here to help! Contact us anytime at teamleaders@friendsofheroes.org Together, we can do it!