Hello everyone! In this blog post, we are excited to discuss Lights of Hope, a fundraiser  occurring across campuses nationwide. This annual event, organized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), is dedicated to honoring those who have been touched by cancer and remembering those we’ve lost. This year marks the 14th anniversary of Lights of Hope, and we are eager to see even more participation and impact.

What Is Lights of Hope?

Lights of Hope is ACS CAN’s signature fundraising event aimed at advancing the fight against cancer through advocacy. Participants garner donations, with every $10 resulting in a Lights of Hope bag being created in honor of someone affected by cancer. These bags are decorated by donors and ultimately displayed nationwide. ACS CAN also hosts a large display in Washington, D.C. during their Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in September. These displays serve as a powerful visual reminder to Congress of the need for continued and increased efforts to combat cancer.

Setting Up Your Lights of Hope Fundraising Page

Getting started with your campus Lights of Hope event is easy:

• Visit www.fightcancer.org/hope or download the DonorDrive Fundraising Charity App. Enter the short code 2325-100-507 to set up your fundraising page.
• Create a single page for your entire campus for simplicity. Use your campus name when setting up your page (e.g., “University of Wisconsin–Madison”).
• Explore additional DonorDrive resources at www.fightcancer.org/LOHResources.

Hosting an On-Campus Display

Each participating campus is encouraged to host a Lights of Hope display before mid-October. Consider these tips:

• Choose a landmark or iconic location on campus for your display.
• Check if your campus requires reservations for the space.
• Plan for logistics, including a backup location in case of rain.
• Ensure you have materials to weigh down the bags if your display is outdoors. Options include sand, rocks, marbles, or donated canned goods (which can be later donated to charity).

Collecting Donations

Each Lights of Hope bag represents a minimum $10 donation. Funds raised help ACS CAN continue its mission to make cancer a top priority for policymakers. Donations can be collected in three ways:

1. Invite friends and family to visit your campus Lights of Hope page to make online donations.
2. Use the DonorDrive App to generate a QR code for direct donations to your fundraising page.
3. Collect offline donations (cash/check) and work with your staff to process them promptly.

Sharing Photos

We’d love to see your Lights of Hope photos! Share them with us via the photo submission tool or on social media using the hashtag #LightsOfHope. For more details, visit www.fightcancer.org/2024-lights-hope-photo-submission.

Important Dates and Deadlines

• Sponsor signs must be ordered at least four weeks before your planned display.
• The DonorDrive website closes on October 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET. Ensure all donations are collected and recorded by this date.

For more information and resources, visit the Lights of Hope On Campus Guide.

Join us in this meaningful event to honor, remember, and fight for a world without cancer!

~Neil Chandran NCYET Advocacy Subcommittee Member