Source: Hotindienews.com
Author: Staff

Menlo Park, Calif. — For donors and volunteers looking to support a cancer charity, GreatNonprofits releases the first ever list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits.

A huge variety of cancer support, education, and advocacy organizations were reviewed during the 2009 GreatNonprofits Cancer Fighters Awards in July.

The large diversity of organizations that received reviews combined with the large number of reviews posted, shows the incredible passion and commitment these organizations inspire.

“We’re really proud of this,” says Brian Hill, Founder and Executive Director of The Oral Cancer Foundation, which won for top-rated cancer organization with an annual budget below $250,000.  “It’s an honest appraisal of metrics of what we’ve accomplished that’s actually human.”

Nancy Frank is the Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the winner among organizations with budgets over $1,000,000.  She says, “We were thrilled with the response.  We work our little nose to the grindstone every day and this kind of renewed our spirits in this hard year.”

The contest, held throughout July, asked people to submit reviews and ratings about nonprofits serving the cancer community.  The contest was sponsored by GreatNonprofits, GuideStar and Planet Cancer.

The results provide surprising and inspiring insights into the diversity of organizations that are considered effective and important by volunteers, donors and stakeholders of the cancer community.  This is the first ever list providing reviews of cancer fighting nonprofits by those who have actually experienced their work.

These unique results will be helpful to donors and supporters looking to get involved with cancer organizations.

“There are so many great nonprofits that don’t have an advertising budget and are not household names,” says Perla Ni, CEO and founder of GreatNonprofits. “Through this first-ever list of top-rated cancer nonprofits, you can see how some of these nonprofits literally have saved lives. Donors and volunteers who are interested in fighting cancer can now see which nonprofits are really making a difference.

The winning organizations of the 2009 GreatNonprofits Cancer Fighters Awards are:

Annual Budget Less Than $250,000  Oral Cancer Foundation  Newport Beach, Calif.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/the-oral-cancer-foundation1

The Oral Cancer Foundation aims to reduce suffering, physical damage and disfigurement, and death caused by oral cancer. The foundation conducts advocacy and service work to proactively promote change in the public as well as medical/dental professional sectors. They provide the world’s largest web patient-to-survivor online support, and their web site is an outlet for oral cancer information.

“The Oral Cancer Foundation has saved my life. I found the site right after I was diagnosed with my first round of cancer. The forum members embraced me and helped me thru my treatments. They were there with me when I had my first recurrence less than a year later. The same warm, caring, knowledgeable people are still there helping me now with my third round of cancer. I have met many of these special people in person and am proud to call them my friends.”

-Honorable mention: The Seany Foundation

Annual Budget Between $250,000 and $1 Million  weSpark Cancer Support Center.  Sherman Oaks, Calif.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/wespark-cancer-support-center

weSpark works to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, their families, and their friends.  Offering multiple services free of charge designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit of those dealing with cancer, people can experience programs as varied as Tai Chi, Jewelry Making, Dream Workshops, and more.

“I believe weSpark played a huge role in [my mom] successfully overcoming cancer. After one of her surgeries I remember her saying she was upset that she was in bed because she was missing her weSpark friends. Having the next meeting to look forward too gave her motivation to recover quickly. Thank you weSpark!”

-Honorable mention: Cancer Schmancer Foundation

Annual Budget More Than $1 Million  Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation  Irvine, Calif.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/pediatric-cancer-research-foundation1

PCRF works to improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with malignant cancers. Over 80% of every dollar given to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation goes directly to fund research that focuses on medical treatment protocols for childhood cancers. The Foundation has raised over $22 million through gifts from individuals, special giving programs, events, charitable foundations and businesses, grants, and the sale of holiday cards drawn by children fighting cancer.

“My grandaughter was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 22 months ago. She has an excellent prognosis and only 2 months of treatment left to go. She could never have had such a positive outcome where it not for recent research and advances in the field funded by PCRF and similar organizations. The people at PCRF are dedicated and caring and offer many wonderful ways for people to get involved and volunteer or donate. Families like ours are extremely grateful to this organization for all it has done to help children survive cancer.”

-Honorable mention: The American Cancer Society

Best of Northeast  I’m Too Young For This!  New York, N.Y.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/im-too-young-for-this

This organization addresses the difficulties faced by young adults with regards to cancer. Their programs, services, and public outreach include on/offline peer support, community development, conference planning, social media, medical education, and college campus activismare intended to provide a meaningful quality of life for any young adult affected by cancer.

“I[2]Y has been a big help for me. After being diagnosed and treated, finding a support group to help me had been difficult. I tried the standard ones, but they did not fit me. I heard about I[2]Y from a coworker and went to a movie night. Then a happy hour. Then a conference. I have met some wonderful and supportive people. I have made great friendships and I know where I can turn to talk about the hardships and fears that I am going through. They have helped me overcome some of my fears and put me in touch with others who I can talk about my experiences with.”

Best of South  Spirit Jump  Boynton Beach, Fl.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/spirit-jump

Spirit Jump’s goal is to help cancer fighters stay strong by providing uplifting cards and inspirational gifts from “Jumpers” to help fighters maintain the strength they need every day as they battle this terrible disease.

“Spirit Jump is the most incredible organization I have ever had the privilege to be a part of. The charitable efforts of its founders, Meaghan and Stacy, not only help cancer victims, but uplift the spirits of the people who have answered the Spirit Jump call as well. There is nothing that compares to the “feel good” that comes with helping out another, especially when the chips are really down. Sending cups of kindness to friends in need is what it’s all about, and Spirit Jump affords me that opportunity (right from my own livingroom, no less!). Aside from motherhood, I never felt like I was making a real difference in the world, until Spirit Jump crossed my path. I can’t say thank you enough for this organization. Spirit Jump serves to remind us all that we ALL matter.”

Best of Midwest   Mission4Maureen  South Euclid, Oh.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/mission4maureen

A memorial to Maureen Lowis, Mission4Maureen raises funds to help others with the financial burdens of medical treatments for brain cancer. When families are in need, they provide financial aid for medical bills, child care, housing payments, utility bills, transportation, medication and more.

“Mission4Maureeen was a God send. After our daughter was diagnosed with a maligant brain tumor, I stopped working the day of diagnosis to take care of her. This cut our house hold income to less than half. Within no time our reserve funds were used up. Mission4Maureen has paid two months of mortgage for us. We would have been out on the street with a very sick child had it not been for this network.”

Best of Northwest  Breast Cancer Prevention Fund  Everett, Wa.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/breast-cancer-prevention-fund

The Breast Cancer Prevention Fund saves women’s lives through promotion of early detection and prevention methods of breast cancer. They conduct awareness and education and provide funds to pay for mammograms for uninsured women.

“I was called by the Breast Cancer Prevention Fund, and encouraged to schedule a mammogram. Since I was uninsured, this is not something I could afford to do. They told me that they would pay for the mammogram and helped me get scheduled with a local clinic. I had the mammogram the following week. 3-days later the clinic called and asked me to come in again. Long and short, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am now 3-years cancer free. This group saved my life. What more can I say. These guys are for real!”

Best of Mountain   First Descents  Vail, Co.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/first-descents

First Descents works to cure young adult cancer patients of the emotional effects of cancer. Through whitewater kayaking and other adventure sports, it challenges and empowers people to regain control of their lives in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. This year they will conduct nine week-long programs in six different states.

“First Descents provided me with an incredible experience that allowed me to truly “live my life to the fullest,” a feat I had never actually tried to achieve before. I was able to share a week of adventure, relaxation, and fun with a terrific group of volunteers and other young adult cancer survivors who allowed me to feel as if I could completely be myself. It was the first time in 3 years, since my cancer diagnosis, that I truly felt comfortable.”

Best of West   Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation  Santa Barbara, Ca.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/mesothelioma-applied-research-foundation-inc

A collaboration of patients, families, physicians, advocates, and researchers, this organization works to obtain a cure for mesothelioma.  They educate patients and families about the disease and available treatment options, and connect them with a supportive community; fund promising research projects; and raise awareness of “meso” in both the public and private sectors.

“After a 2 week stay in the hospital, my husband was diagnosed w/pleural meso in March of 2008. He was only 51… The day of the diagnosis, I got on the internet & found MARF. After looking at other sites, MARF was the most informative & personable site & so started our relationship with staff, victims, volunteers, widows, caregivers and world of information to help in our fight with meso. Everyone is so caring & compassionate because they too, have been touched by this disease on a personal level. Most importantly this foundation has given us hope.”

About the 2009 Cancer Fighters Awards

The awards were hosted by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user-generated ratings and reviews of nonprofits, Planet Cancer, and Guidestar. Over the course of the Cancer Fighters Awards, more than 46,000 people visited the GreatNonprofits Web site, and 1864 reviews were posted about more than 120 cancer fighting organizations.

Reviews appear on GreatNonprofits.org as well asGuideStar.org, the premiere source for donor research on nonprofits.  Nonprofits with the most positive reviews in their budget category were determined the winners of the 2009 Cancer Fighters Awards. Those who submitted reviews were eligible to win prizes such as a free copy of “Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s” by Kairol Rosenthal, free milk for a year from Organic Valley Farms, delicious baked goods from Dancing Deer Baking Co., spa packages from Osmosis Day Spa and Sanctuary, hotel stays at Joie de Vivre Hotels, and more.  Reviews submissions took place from July 1st to July 31st, 2009.