Every March, the people of the UK come together for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to fundraise for charities like Ovarian Cancer Action and encourage women to get checked if they have symptoms. Ovarian cancer is one of the highest causes of cancer deaths in ladies, so it is crucial we do everything we can to raise awareness of the disease, the symptoms to look out for, and the amazing support available to those who need it. Join the campaign and try out these top five fundraising ideas for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
1. Coffee morning
Host a coffee morning or an afternoon tea event at your house for donations and invite your friends, family and neighbours. Rustle up some tasty treats to have with your beverages or why not get everyone to bring their own?
Want to connect with people far away? Go virtual! Organising a virtual coffee event can be a great way to bring people together even when you're apart. It's easy to set up and does not require anything more than an internet connection and your chosen device. A virtual coffee morning is simply an online meeting organised over video conferencing software, like Zoom or Skype.
Make sure to have some donation options ready for attendees. You can set up a Facebook fundraiser or an online fundraising page, or by all means, use your Women V Cancer event fundraising page if you’re taking this opportunity to raise funds for your challenge.
2. Come Dine With Me
Organise a "Come Dine With Me" event for your friends or family to raise money. Spread it out over a week or a month with a different dinner party each night or do it all in one event and invite all your guests to bring their best dish to share, plus extra cash as an entry fee.
Once the competition is over, award the winner their title and collect all the funds from each contestant! You can even turn it into a challenge by having each contestant raise additional funds on top of their entry fee.
3. Get on your bike!
Organise your own bike ride by setting a route and inviting friends and family to join in. You could ask each participant to make a minimum donation before they start cycling – this will ensure you reach whatever fundraising target you have set.
Why not use a route you have cycled while training for your Women V Cancer challenge? If your friends aren’t keen on cycling, you can organise a communal walk or a fun run instead. That way, everyone can get involved!
4. Everyone loves bingo!
Whether you host a bingo event at your house or arrange a virtual one, bingo parties are an excellent way to engage people of all ages. They are simple, affordable, and lots of fun!
There are plenty of free printable bingo sheets you can find online, or take this opportunity to design one just for your target group. This could increase awareness or just make the evening more enjoyable.
5. Street party!
Street parties are an easy and fun way to bring your community together while raising much-needed funds for a good cause. With some careful planning, you can turn a street party into a successful fundraiser.
Pick the right location, as this is important if you want as many people to attend as possible. Look for places where there will already be foot traffic and lots of people passing by who could stop at the party. You might even consider asking permission from local businesses or authorities so that people can use their parking spaces or outdoor areas for the event—this will make it more accessible for participants.
You'll need to decide on activities and attractions that will draw people in. Tombolas, sweepstakes, auctions, and outdoor games are always fun. You can also get creative and ask local businesses to donate items for the event. And don’t forget to have a stand with ovarian cancer leaflets and symptoms sheets to raise extra awareness! There is a wealth of great resources on the Ovarian Cancer Action website you can use.
Finally, safety is paramount! Make sure there are plenty of volunteers available to help manage the party. Check that all rides and attractions are operating properly and are up to safety standards. Have some first aid supplies on hand in case of any emergencies, as well as bins, so people can dispose of their rubbish properly.
What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
The symptoms of ovarian cancer can vary from one woman to another. The most common symptom is pain or pressure in the lower abdomen that does not go away or gets worse over time. Other symptoms include:
• Bloating
• Feeling full quickly after eating
• Frequent urination and bowel movements
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting (sometimes with blood)
• Constipation.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your doctor right away.
Why it is vital that we raise awareness.
Ovarian cancer is a disease that affects people of all ages and can be devastating to those affected by it. Awareness is key in helping reduce the number of cases and saving lives. Raising money for charities dedicated to eliminating ovarian cancer or charities that support all cancer sufferers is a sure-fire way to help fight this disease.
According to Ovarian Cancer Action research, 90% of women don't know the symptoms of ovarian cancer* and the majority of patients don't get diagnosed until the very late stages.
If we can educate more women about the signs to look out for and empower them to seek early diagnosis, we can help raise their chances of living beyond five years from 20% to 95%. That's massive. So, get involved with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month today by using the fundraising ideas above or signing up to raise support Women V Cancer on one of our life-changing cycles.
Challenge yourself for Ovarian Cancer Action on a Women V Cancer cycle!
Whether you're after a one-day event, a weekend bike ride, or an exotic adventure abroad, you can make a huge difference for Ovarian Cancer Action, Breast Cancer Now, and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust while having the ride of your life!
Everyone's welcome on our top-of-the-bucket list bike ride from London to Paris, or join our teams of amazing ladies Riding the Night in London and Manchester, cycling through the magical Indian region of Rajasthan, and even cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia!
Nothing beats the feeling of completing a Women V Cancer challenge with new friends, knowing that you have helped to save the lives of countless people affected by cancer. Claim that feeling and secure your place today.
Find your Women V Cancer challengeThis wonderful article was written by guest blogger Rosie Buckley.
*The statistics are from Ovarian Cancer Action website.
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