One Back

Sometimes it’s hard to decide where to give money or volunteer our time. Really there are so many people and organizations in need that any little bit helps no matter what or where you decide to give. I was talking with someone about this recently and we remarked on how some charities receive a lot of attention and support because people are attracted to their cause. The Humane Society for example. Who doesn’t want to help animals, right? But there are many other charities and causes out there that are not quite so cute or fuzzy, and they still need our help just as much.

But giving money or time is an individual thing, and we are often attracted to helping a charity because we identify with their cause or need. Finding a cure for cancer is something just about everyone desires, and the American Cancer Society is working hard to support the research. One of the more popular charities for supporting cancer research is the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We see countless charity events and publicity about the organization and even a separate non-profit entity supporting the same cause with the Race for a Cure. But even with such wonderful support for these causes, there are other equally dire needs for those afflicted by cancer.

Did you know that there are more dollars going into breast cancer research than for prostate cancer research? A strange comparison to make, but with more men suffering from prostate cancer, some researchers view this as a gender gap in cancer research.

“This year (2007) 218,890 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. By comparison, 178,480 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. Not a huge difference, but a new report finds that for every prostate cancer drug on the market, there are seven used to treat breast cancer, and federal spending on breast cancer research outpaces prostate cancer spending by a ratio of nearly two to one.”

If you are interested in supporting prostate cancer research and awareness, you can look at the Prostate Cancer Foundation or the National Prostate Cancer Coalition.

I don’t think anyone is going to start complaining about which charity or research need is getting more money or awareness. When you think about it, awareness and research success for any cancer or other disease is a positive step forward to solving all cancer and related disease issues. Personally I think breast cancer awareness is greater in society because women are probably a lot more involved than men in these issues (and men don’t like to talk about it much).

But there’s more to it than that. What about cervical, or ovarian cancer in women? A good family friend passed away last year because of ovarian cancer. She might have lived if a cancer researcher at any research organization could have found a cure.

It doesn’t really matter what you call it, or how you support it. What is most important is that we find the time, resources and money to support people and organizations that need our help. Personally I try to help people before animals, but that’s just my preference. I love to help animals too. When I’m giving money or financial support, I also want to see if I’m making a good choice.  So I do a little research to make sure the money is being used effectively by the non-profit organization I’m giving to.  There a lots of choices and lots of needs to fill.

We can’t do it all, but we can do something. And there’s always somewhere we can help if we just look around a little.  Giving of ourselves in any way is a good thing.  We may have time, talent or resources that others need.  Does one charity matter more?  No.  How we give, and who we give to, can be a very personal thing.  What’s most important is that we simply give.

Filed under: News and Ideas, Promoting Change