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Home » Blog » Cancer Fundraising Ideas
Cancer fundraising ideas

FundraisingDate: May 22, 2025 By Ashley Carroll |13 min read

Cancer Fundraising Ideas

In this article

  • 10 Cancer fundraiser ideas to help your organization reach your fundraising goals

More than 1.9 million new cancer diagnoses are expected in the United States in 2023 with an estimated expectancy of 609,820 deaths. This makes Cancer the second most common cause of death in the United States. 

What can your organization do to join the movement to find a cure?

When it comes to Cancer, the number of individuals affected is staggering. It is heartbreaking that more people than not, know someone who has been diagnosed with this disease. Cancer is a life-threatening condition, and therefore needs immense support and drive toward Cancer research and cancer treatment initiatives.

This may seem like an incredibly overwhelming movement to be a part of. You might find yourself wondering how your organization or nonprofit could possibly help such a world crisis – it seems impossible.  

The good news is – you can help.

One of the best ways to be a part of the movement and help fund Cancer treatment and research is by initiating cancer fundraising initiatives.

Fundraising solutions like RallyUp are the perfect place to set up a Cancer fundraiser and explore unique cancer fundraiser ideas.

Woman and doctor

Cancer is a difficult subject, with so many of us, our family members or friends affected. In this blog, we are celebrating how incredible it is that, although this problem persists, we have the opportunity to help.

With different creative cancer fundraising ideas, we can help save someone’s life and contribute to this growing pandemic. RallyUp is here to help you with this very important initiative.

How can Cancer Fundraising help?

Cancer fundraising is an important way to raise funds to help those in your local community and beyond affected by cancer. Through cancer fundraising, individuals, families, and communities can come together to support those battling this disease.

By raising money for medical research and providing financial assistance to those impacted by cancer, fundraising efforts helps raise funds to support these important initiatives. 

Cancer fundraising helps provide medical researchers and physicians progress in their fight against this debilitating condition. These funds are also put towards supporting patients by covering medical treatments not covered by insurance or other sources of financial assistance. 

Cancer fundraising is becoming increasingly popular as people have realized that money raised through such events can help make a significant impact on cancer research and patient care programs.

10 Cancer fundraiser ideas to help your organization reach your fundraising goals

People maraphone

1. T-shirt Fundraising Campaign

Your organization or nonprofit can set up a virtual store and sell merchandise where all the proceeds go to Cancer research or treatment initiatives.  

Selling t-shirts is a great way to help raise money for cancer organizations. We suggest placing empowering cancer phrases like “We’re stronger together” or cancer survivor and cancer patient stories printed on each shirt.

This is an easy way to promote awareness, raise funds and encourage others, in both the global and local community, to join the fight against cancer. The funds raised in these sales (which can be done in person or in your online store) help provide financial support to both individuals and institutions in need. 

With friends, family and community members wearing these t-shirts, it can create and spread cancer awareness for both cancer patients and cancer survivors without anyone having to say a word.

2. Host a Cancer Fundraising Dinner 

Organizing a fundraising dinner is another great way to help raise money for cancer organizations. It is also a great opportunity to encourage your supporters, or employees, to invite their family, friends, and even your corporate sponsors to come together for a night of delicious food and fun entertainment.

You could really tap into the notion of community by hosting your dinner at your local community center and inviting local bands for entertainment. At the event, you could set up a donation jar, run donation pledges, host an official cake decorating contest, invite local food trucks and local art galleries to display their artwork all for a good cause.

You could make this an in person event but sell tickets online through RallyUp. You could also erase geographical boarders with an online virtual dinner where everyone meets together with their favorite meal in the comfort of their own homes.

You could easily add different fundraising activities to your online event such as an auction or raffle. All the proceeds from your successful fundraiser can go towards your favorite cancer organization, patient or survivor.

3. Virtual Cancer Treatment 5K Run/Walk

Whether you are a nonprofit focused on Cancer research and awareness or an organization looking to join the movement, a virtual or in-person 5K run/walk is a great way to get the word out. These kinds of events encourage people to stay active and healthy while spreading awareness and raising funds.

Participants can sign up online for your fundraising event and then run or walk the 5K anytime, anywhere. This fundraiser could be specific to a certain kind of cancer like a breast cancer walk or for a specific cancer patient or for general cancer treatments and research.

Pick your event date, time and details and be sure to spread the word through different social media platforms to encourage more participants. Fundraising events like this build community, reminding your supporters that together, we are stronger and capable of anything.

4. Online Cancer Awareness Auction 

Your organization can host an online auction to reach a larger audience and raise the money for your chosen cause. The best part about an auction is that you can get creative with the items you offer, such as autographed memorabilia or donated services to those in need. 

When deciding on the best fundraising platform to host your online auction, be sure to find one that offers the most advanced online auction software. Platforms that offer advanced features like auction gifts, for example, help bring in more donations than others, as all your participants can donate even if they don’t win the end prize.

What ever you decide to auction off, this kind of event is great for lifting spirits and bringing your community together.

5. Cancer Treatment Fundraising Events 

Hosting online, in-person or hybrid fundraising events like galas, concerts, and golf tournaments can be a great way to raise money for cancer organizations while also creating an enjoyable atmosphere. These are also perfect for team building and help raise your communities spirits and awareness simultaneously.

Fundraising events are great Cancer fundraiser ideas that generate both financial and emotional support for cancer organizations too.

So why not take your organizations end-of-year function and donate all proceeds to your favorite Cancer nonprofit or initiative. This will give your community the opportunity to come together, have fun, and show their support for those affected by cancer.

6. School Fundraising for Cancer 

Get your school involved with Cancer fundraising initiatives or have your organization host your Cancer fundraiser at a local school and university. If you are a school, your student body can participate in activities such as bake sales, car washes, and other events to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs.

Encourage different student groups or clubs to organize or host the events. This will give your fundraiser didactic purposes – teaching your student body about Cancer while raising funds. You can also utilize Peer-to-Peer fundraising for school events, targeting different school age groups, to really get the word out for your cancer patients and initiatives.

Encourage the students and their families to share your fundraiser across all social media platforms and be sure to find the fundraising solution that has easy social sharing.

7. Corporate Fundraising for Cancer 

Many corporations have also started to get involved in cancer fundraising initiatives. Mega global companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Google have all held events or campaigns to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs or for different cancer related nonprofits.

Get your enterprise involved with different fundraising events throughout the year. This will help boost company morale and teamwork while spreading awareness and raising funds for important Cancer initiatives.

As a company you can offer donation matching during your fundraising event, which can help double the amount of money raised.

Child and doctor

8. Crowdfunding for Cancer Treatment

Online crowdfunding campaigns are becoming increasingly popular cancer fundraising ideas for raising money for medical treatments and other costs associated with cancer. Your organization can create a crowdfunding page and share it on social media to reach both your local community and a larger audience.

Organizations can host their own private company events such as karaoke nights or read-A-Thons and donate the proceeds to a cancer charity. Corporations can also crowdfund and then sponsor cancer research projects or patient care programs.

Even if your workforce is on the smaller size, these events have the potential to raise necessary funds and get the word out. Remember, you can always encourage your employees to invite their family and friends to get involved and multiply your engagement. Your organization can also team up with another company looking to join the fight against Cancer. This will encourage brand collaborations and a wider network of support.

Familly support parents

9. Silent Auctions for Fighting Cancer

This is one of the most popular cancer fundraising ideas for raising funds for patients battling cancer. By hosting a silent auction, your organization can allow donors to bid on items with all proceeds going towards your cause. You can set up an online auction or host it in person at a local event. 

During a silent auction, participants bid on items that have been donated by local businesses or individuals. These items can range from gift certificates and unique experiences to jewelry, artwork, and even vacations. Silent auctions offer something for everyone, making them an ideal way to reach a wide audience of people who may be interested in donating to your cancer-related cause. 

10. Host a Virtual Event 

Virtual events such as a concert, or game night can be a great way to involve people from all over the world in a fundraising effort. 

Hosting a virtual event allows your organization to reach more people than with a physical gathering, while saving money on renting space and all the expenses that come with running an event. 

With virtual events, you can easily spread the word through social media and other online marketing platforms. Additionally, you can create a donation page to accept donations from participants and reach even more people to help make a difference in the fight against cancer.

In addition to the traditional fundraising initiatives mentioned above, there are also many online platforms that allow individuals and organizations to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs.

Sites such as RallyUp allow organizations to create campaigns and share them with their community in order to raise money for a cause they believe in. 

Successful existing Cancer Fundraising ideas and initiatives 

Cancer fundraising initiatives come in all shapes and sizes, and there are countless examples of successful campaigns that have raised millions of dollars for cancer research, treatments, and care.

Here are a few examples of Cancer Fundraising events you can get involved in or inspired by to create your own fundraising campaign.  

Relay for Life

One of the most successful Cancer fundraising campaigns is the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life event is hosted by the American Cancer Society.

This annual event brings together communities to fundraise through activities such as walks, runs, survivor stories, games, and more.

This event is held in many countries around the world. The event typically lasts 24 hours, with participants taking turns walking or running throughout the night. Over the years, the Relay for Life event has raised over $5 billion dollars for cancer-related causes.

Race for the Cure

Another popular cancer fundraising campaign is Race for the Cure, which is held in many cities around the world. This event involves participants running or walking a 5K race to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs.

The race is organized by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and proceeds go towards funding breast cancer treatment, providing free mammograms to those in need, and providing treatment options for those affected by the disease.

Participants are encouraged to raise funds through donations from friends and family, or by getting sponsorships from local businesses. 

Walk/Run to End Cancer

The Walk/Run to End Cancer is another popular cancer fundraising event. This event involves participants walking or running a 5K course in order to raise money for cancer research and patient care programs.

Everyone who participates is encouraged to raise money through sponsorships and donations from family, friends and businesses. Participants can also fundraise by setting up online crowdfunding campaigns or through other fundraising activities such as a tree planting event or a family oriented street festival. 

Stand up to Cancer

Stand Up to Cancer is an organization that raises funds to support innovative research and treatments to help those affected by cancer. This organization hosts a variety of fundraising initiatives such as an online donation platform, celebrity campaigns, and special in person events. Stand Up to Cancer has raised over $ 500 million dollars for cancer-related causes.

Cancer fundraising initiatives are a great way to help make a difference in the fight against this life-threatening condition.  

By getting involved in these campaigns, organizations and corporations can help support research and patient care programs that will ultimately lead to better treatments and improved quality of life for cancer patients. 

No matter how your organization chooses to get involved in cancer fundraising, it is important to remember that every little bit helps. Every dollar raised can go towards helping improve the quality of life for those suffering from cancer and ultimately lead to a cure.

So, if your corporation is looking for ways to make a difference in the fight against cancer, consider getting involved in one of the many Cancer fundraising initiatives available today.

We know this is an incredible fight, but together we have the power to help. We hope this article has provided you with some inspiration for your next cancer fundraising initiative or provided you with a movement you would like to join.

If your organization is feeling inspired to create your own fundraiser today, RallyUp will get you up and running in just a few minutes. Our platform will make it easy for you to set up an effective fundraising event and start collecting donations for cancer patients in no time.

Create an online campaign today and share it with your world.

Start fundraising today the perfect way.
Let’s go!

About the Author

Ashley Carroll

Ashely Carroll is a Fundraising Specialist at RallyUp. Ashley has dedicated her career to helping charities and causes she cares about. After working in nonprofit education for a decade, she joined RallyUp. As a Fundraising Specialist, she loves hearing people's stories and helping their organizations thrive. Ashley’s here to make sure everyone is comfortable and confident using the RallyUp software and getting the most out of every fundraiser!

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