In 2007, the non-for-profit now known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure celebrated its 25th anniversary and marked a milestone—over $1 billion in research and related programs. A new campaign slogan was started with the goal of raising another billion within 10 years; a daunting task considering that the group took a quarter of a century to do it last time.
Members of the self storage industry have been doing their part during the month of October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise money to benefit the charity. The good people at AR&C Self Storage held a yard sale, the Pink Hope Big Event Yard Sale to help raise money and raise awareness.
“We are very pleased to have helped Team Pink Hope [a local group that participates in the Philadelphia Cure walk every year] drive donations to this great cause. The response was overwhelming; truly the compassion of the human spirit is more powerful when we unite as a community,” said AR&C marketing manager Caleb Towne.
Through the yard sale they were able to raise $3500 for the cause.
A common misperception when numbers like that are talked about is that small amounts don’t matter. Since they are shooting for $1 billion than my $10, $100 or even $3500 does not matter. That could not be farther from the truth.
Joan Lucas is another example of a self storage professional doing what she can to raise money and awareness during Breast Care Awareness Month. The self storage real estate broker decided to paint her house pink for the month of October to raise awareness. Yoplait Yogurt covered the cost of the paint job and donated $5000 to the Cure as well.
There are currently around 50,000 self storage units across the United States. It would be unrealistic to expect all of them to make a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, but what if each one was to donate $3500, like AR&C Self Storage did. Should that happen they would be nearly 20 percent ($175 million) of the way towards their 10-year goal of raising another $1 billion.
"Every advance in breast cancer has been touched by a Komen grant," said Komen spokeswoman Emily Callahan.
With the help of people like Joan Lucas, self storage real estate broker, and self storage facilities like AR&C a real difference can be made in the fight against breast cancer.
Sources used:
“AR&C Self Storage Helps Raise $3500 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.” Inside Self Storage; 12 October 2011.
“Self Storage Broker Raises Funds for Susan G. Komen, Paints House Pink.” Inside Self Storage; 11 Oct 2011.
“Self Storage Units: Part 1.” LifeGoesStrong.com; 12 October 2011.
“Breast cancer research nears $1B spent.” USAToday; 21 January 2007.