Dinners, auctions, and golf tournaments are just a few of the fundraising events that groups use to raise funds to provide patient services, research and advocacy for cancer issues.

It’s Relay for Life season… thousands of people across the US and across the world gather to walk, stay overnight and celebrate the lives of those touched by Cancer. Teams made up of friends, family, coworkers and other friends hold fundraisers leading up to relay. Many relays have come and gone while others are still in the works. There were many Relays held the first weekend of June and many more to come the rest of the month and on into the year. There are many other athletic events benefiting other cancer charities held not just in the US, but around the world.

Some people are crazy enough to shave their heads for cancer charities. Young school children have gotten into the head shave challenge. Recently one brave, yet unfortunate, woman was laid off after shaving her head for cancer.

Business & Professional Women of Texas (BPW/TX) held a murder mystery dinner at its recent state convention to benefit M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Because of that and many other donations from BPW clubs across the state, a check for $25,000 was presented at the President’s Banquet. Amazingly over the years BPW has given over $1 million to fund cancer research and other programs at M.D. Anderson.

Nearly 2000 lemonade stands across the country raised funds for childhood cancer last weekend (June 6-8, 2008) during Lemonade Days. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is a unique foundation that evolved from a young cancer patient’s front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

The big three US Television networks, ABC, CBS and NBC have announced a prime-time telethon on the Friday after Labor Day. Stand Up to Cancer on September 5th will feature musical performances and celebrity appeals.

In addition to raising funds for charitable organizations, sometimes groups will raise funds for individuals with cancer to pay for their medical expenses.

Cancer is one disease that everyone has had some kind of experience with – at least a family member or friend who has gone through the disease. Maybe that is why so many people feel so strongly about fundraising through events like Relay for Life or making direct monetary donations.