September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we are in awe of the many schools, businesses, and individuals who made an amazing difference for kids. You did all of this and more!
Lendmark Climb to a Million
It all kicked off on one of the hottest days of the year with the 4th annual Lendmark Climb to a Million. Hundreds of people gathered at Oconee County High School and in other locations across the country to climb stairs and walk around the track – achieving one million steps. Lendmark Financial Services CEO, Bobby Aiken, started this stadium climb after witnessing the son of his childhood friend battle brain cancer. Determined to engage the company’s employees, partners, and vendors in the fight against childhood cancer, Bobby and his dedicated team raised more than $552,000 this year. In just four years, they have raised more than $1.8 million.
CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time
Storytelling is a powerful way to share the challenges and devastation of a childhood cancer diagnosis. In September, we were able to be the vehicle allowing families to share their story through CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time. This year, several of the older children and teenagers insisted on writing their own story – once again proving that they are true heroes forced to walk a difficult path. CURE’s Kids allows these families to use their stories to fight back by setting a goal to raise at least $1000 to support life-saving research. You read their stories and responded to the need – giving $300,000 in honor of children and their families.
CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time
Storytelling is a powerful way to share the challenges and devastation of a childhood cancer diagnosis. In September, we were able to be the vehicle allowing families to share their story through CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time. This year, several of the older children and teenagers insisted on writing their own story – once again proving that they are true heroes forced to walk a difficult path. CURE’s Kids allows these families to use their stories to fight back by setting a goal to raise at least $1000 to support life-saving research. You read their stories and responded to the need – giving $300,000 in honor of children and their families.
Gold Mailbox Bows
All across Georgia, mailboxes were adorned with beautiful gold bows. In fact, this year marked a record number of bows sold: 5000. These mailbox bows create awareness for those passing by and encourage those in the fight as they see their neighborhood alive with gold. They weren’t bound to just mailboxes, either. Gold bows made their way onto store fronts, football stadiums, and some were even worn as massive hairbows. The bows also raise critical funds toward our mission. This year’s total was $125,000.
Coins4CURE
Coins4CURE is a very simple coin drive created and completely funded by Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics. This year, 278 jars were sent out to support 130 coin drives in 27 different states. Schools, businesses, churches, and other organizations challenged each other and held competitions to fill the jars. We even saw a very special member of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety join the effort – K9 Mattis, who made it his mission to fetch as many coins as possible. Over the past 4 years, this program has raised more than $250,000! The coins from this year are still being counted, but we anticipate another great total.
Coins4CURE
Coins4CURE is a very simple coin drive created and completely funded by Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics. This year, 278 jars were sent out to support 130 coin drives in 27 different states. Schools, businesses, churches, and other organizations challenged each other and held competitions to fill the jars. We even saw a very special member of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety join the effort – K9 Mattis, who made it his mission to fetch as many coins as possible. Over the past 4 years, this program has raised more than $250,000! The coins from this year are still being counted, but we anticipate another great total.
Business Partners
From burgers to donuts, hardware to jewelry, coffee, and cupcakes, our September business partners stood with us. All over the state and across the country, businesses held events, donated a portion of proceeds, shared our stories, and even put us on the radio. Two salons donated an entire day’s receipts to CURE and each netted more than $25,000! Thanks to all of you who made it your business to help kids.
Gold Out Games
Dozens of games across the state carried a Gold Out message. And it wasn’t just football! We saw volleyball, softball, and soccer gold-outs this year! A new school in Hall County named Cherokee Bluff raised $15,000 and won the first game in school history. Many of these games also raised money for the fight and all of them raised much-needed awareness of the issues surrounding childhood cancer.
Facebook Fundraisers
Your birthday matters! Hundreds of people celebrated their September birthdays by creating Facebook Fundraisers for CURE. SURPRISE, you raised more than $65,000 for CURE!
