Fundraising Friday: Advice from a Mentor

from Kelley Blake, TNT mentor and multiple event finisher...

GET ENGAGED! BE PROACTIVE!
I cannot stress enough to get engaged when it comes to your fundraising. I remember my first marathon with TNT was the San Anonio Rock 'n Roll and I seriously procrastinated on my first fundraising email. I just didn't know what to say and I have honestly been extremely proud and had never asked anyone for money.

I tackled my first marathon just because I wanted to do a marathon. I had no personal connection to LLS or TNT, so that made my first fundraising letter even more dificult. It wasn't personal.

My best advice is don't procrastinate. Just write something. Anything. Get it in the mail or out via email, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Post photos of yourself running, posing with the team on Facebook or Instagram. It is your job to get everyone you know interested in what you are doing and why.

My little warning to you... It will get personal for you if you give us a chance. I'm not saying that you, or hopefully, anyone you know will be diagnosed with any form of cancer. I'm saying that the more you hang out with us and hear stories or meet survivors you will realize that even though we haven't been affected directly, others have. After your eyes have been opened, they will never be able to close again.

Again, get engagaged!

1. Peronalize your fundraising page if you haven't already done so.
2. Get your initial letter written.
3. Do your first online fundraiser or party.
4. Talk to your mentor.
5. Talk to your coach.

We are all here to help you with your fundraising!

*Kelley has been involved with Team In Training for several years as a participant and mentor. She oversees the concerts at the Pavilion in The Woodlands so if you are interested in working at those to earn tip money for your fundraiser, please contact us so we can get you in touch with Kelley.

 

HPD Riding to Tacoma, Washington

It was a great thrill for our LLS staff to be at Discovery Green this morning as officers from the Houston Police Department left on bicycles heading to Tacoma, Washington. For 33 years, this amazing police department has raised funds to cure blood cancer by riding for several days across the country each year.

Since they began, they have raised more than five million dollars for LLS. This year, they will spend eight days riding from Houston to Tacoma. As they ride, they pray for cancer patients for whom they ride. And as the days get long and difficult and they struggle physically to endure, they think about what blood cancer patients must endure and they push themselves even harder to complete their journey.

This year the officers are wearing bow ties in memory of Dr. Charles Koller who was a participant on the team for many years. Dr. Koller was a leukemia doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center who, when not in bike shorts, wore bow ties. He treated some of the police officers who had been diagnosed with leukemia. He was a kind and gracious physician and friend to many. Dr. Koller lost his own life to cancer last year, but as the officers mentioned this morning, his spirit will be with them as they ride.


Lets keep the HPD Bicycle team in our thoughts as they ride this week. Thank you to them all for supporting our mission!

Bike jerseys were designed by an adorable little patient.
She even got a jersey of her own.

 

Ready to start the long journey.