Season’s Greetings!
As another year comes to an end, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible supporters! We’re excited to share some of the accomplishments we achieved this year with your help:
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In February, we hosted our annual Date Auction fundraiser and the Cancer Service of Remembrance, raising approximately $400.
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I had the privilege of becoming a Certified Grief Educator through online training. This equips me with the skills to better support patients and their families as they navigate the challenges during their journeys.
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We established a program to express our gratitude to our donors for their generous contributions to the nonprofit. Different giving levels allow us to provide each donor with a small token of appreciation for their ongoing support.
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We set up our merchandise and information table at various community events, from Charleston to Huntington, and even in Marietta, OH.
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We continue to find ways to reach those in need, and we’re thrilled to report that we have tripled our caseload this year! Remember, we can only assist you or your loved ones if we know about their diagnoses and the challenges they face. While national organizations offer great support, they often struggle with high caseloads and bureaucratic hurdles; let us help you address your needs in a more timely manner!
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Finally, we are in discussions with the First Tee organization to partner for a golf fundraiser next summer! Proceeds from this event will be shared between First Tee, 3 Betties, and the Maddox Potter Foundation. Stay tuned for more details!
One of my favorite lines when discussing the need for an organization like The 3 Betties Foundation is, “Cancer is always ‘someone else’s problem…’ until it isn’t!” Life may seem great for you and your family but then comes that day when you visit your doctor for what seems like a minor issue, only to hear, “Something showed up on the scan that we want to take a closer look at.” Suddenly, you or a loved one finds themselves overwhelmed with a million questions. That’s why we’re here!
This brings me to a story about one of our beloved cancer fighters. I was busy with other work a few years ago when I spoke to a long-time friend. He shared that his mother, the woman I consider my original “second mother” since I could talk, had been diagnosed with cancer, although she has been doing well at the time. Anyone who grew up in the Upper Kanawha Valley likely knew Carol, who dedicated 38 years to teaching young minds. She was one of those teachers who, even when you thought you couldn’t learn something, saw potential in you that you never thought possible.
Although they never reached out for assistance, Carol knew that we’re just a message away! Thanks to amazing supporters like you, we’re ready to offer any help she or other fighters need at a moment’s notice! More than just an educator, Carol was a mother to two (officially, but she was like a mother to many more), a wife, and a grandmother. With your feedback, we can reach out and be a beacon of Hope for individuals like Carol as they go through these difficult times. Whether someone you love has been diagnosed or you’ve faced the battle before and know of a valuable resource needed in the state, any information you share with us can help us be a blessing to many others in need!
Here are just a few ideas we want to implement next year:
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We are still looking for a location to host our “Cure-e-oke” karaoke night fundraisers! The only thing better than enjoying a fun night with friends is knowing that you’re helping someone with cancer in the process! For businesses, this event is a chance to attract new customers who may not have previously known about your location or what you offer.
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We need more businesses and groups to get involved! Whether it’s through donations, collection drives, or special events, if you have connections to any businesses, churches, or civic groups, send them our way! We want to partner with you!
Sadly, not everyone will survive the battle against cancer, no matter how hard the community works. Will you join us in this fight? Cancer used to be considered a death sentence, but with the help of dedicated individuals across WV, more and more people now have a chance at remission or even being declared “cancer-free.” The earlier we start working together to identify those in need, the better chance we have of giving them a preferred outcome.
These families make numerous sacrifices for their loved ones, and now, we would like to ask you to make a sacrifice as well. Consider giving up that extra cup of Starbucks each day or cutting out a movie or sporting event once a month. One thing I do when I go to McDonald's, is ask for the bills back from my change, while I put the coins into the Ronald McDonald House bank. My 53 cents may not seem like much, but if hundreds of us contribute in this way, it adds up! It’s not hard to make small changes when you have something meaningful to work towards.
This year, we have several ways for you to give:
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You can always send cash or a check to the address on this letter.
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We accept credit card payments, Venmo, and Cash App, so feel free to send us your information.
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If you're tech-savvy, you can scan the QR code on this letter, which will take you directly to our donation page on the website.
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You can also tie your donation amount to your friend or loved one in one of two ways:
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The first option is to donate based on their age at diagnosis or passing. For example, if they were diagnosed or passed away at age 59, you can donate $59.
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The second option is to use special dates, like their birth or death year. For instance, if they passed away in 2023, you could donate $20.23. Or maybe they were born on January 16th, and you could donate $116 to help us make a difference in many lives.
We look forward to hearing from you! Will you help us support West Virginia families in need? Will you commit to changing lives for the better with us? Remember, one day, it could be you. While supplies last, we will give a free 3 Betties top (tank top, tee, sweatshirt, or hoodie) to anyone who donates $ 100 or more!
Sincerely,
Chad Beam
President/Founder, 3 Betties Foundation, Inc.