Cards 4 Cancer Day started as a small idea. We wanted to get cards to cancer patients to let them know people in their community support them. Back in December ’09, Spirit Jump had no idea Cards 4 Cancer Day would end up touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world!
Spirit Jump is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a simple goal: lift the spirits of men, women and children battling all types of cancer anywhere in the world. This grassroots nonprofit is a one of a kind born, almost entirely, through social media. Our supporters and the individuals they help, communicate with Spirit Jump and each other entirely through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. But Cards 4 Cancer Day is Spirit Jump’s first attempt at combining our social media support with a ground movement.
Halfway into the month of January, Cards 4 Cancer Day officially launched. With no budget, no participants and, at that point, not even a Twitter or Fanpage to support the project, our hopes were high but we had a long way to go. However, in less than three weeks, the idea had turned into a virtual and ground movement. With over 7,000 fans on their brand new Cards For Cancer Day Fanpage, a blog with hundreds – sometimes thousands – of hits a day, this campaign was quickly shaping into a movement.
Offline things were happening, too. People in almost every state and over seven countries had signed up to make, collect, and deliver cards. Card parties were happening all over the world in people’s homes, at schools, churches, and businesses. Hundreds of pictures were streaming in and the small Spirit Jump Team could hardly keep up. Over 200 hospitals had signed up to receive cards and over 2,000 individuals had officially signed up as participants with thousands actually joining in.
Just this week the cards started arriving at cancer centers around the world. One team, who named themselves inCOURAGE, dropped off over 200 cards to their local cancer center, Carson Cancer Center in Elgin, Nebraska. Team Leader, Tiffany Niewohner said this about participating in Cards For Cancer Day, “It was an amazing experience….This is why I love being involved with Spirit Jump and Cards 4 Cancer Day. I know how many people this is helping!” The center was also excited about receiving the cards and asked when they might be bringing more. Spirit Jump has said that because of the incredible response and excitement that has been generated around Cards 4 Cancer Day they are likely going to make this a biannual event.
Cards 4 Cancer Day continues to grow adding new hospitals, teams, and Facebook fans daily. If you would like to see what all the buzz is about and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients in your community check out Cards 4 Cancer on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.
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Tags: cancer, Cards 4 Cancer, community, Spirit Jump, volunteer
