Use these simple fundraising tips or brainstorm and come up with your own creative ideas on how to raise funds.

Getting Started
After registering for an event, you'll receive a personal Web page where your donors can make a secure, online donation. You may customize your page with text and photos to inform your family and friends about your upcoming marathon, send emails to seek support and track your progress. By sharing your story with a wide audience, you'll soon reach and exceed your fundraising goal.

But the most effective way to fundraise is Ask!

Mail fundraising letters to family and friends
Use the sample letter, personalize it or create your own. To increase your response rate, include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

Email your request to get the word out fast
Be sure you let people know how to contribute - in person, mailed to your address or, if you have a personal Web page, include the Web address in your email.

Have friends and family ask people they know for contributions
Be sure you give them a copy of the link to your Web page or your donation form.

Collecting and submitting donations
Use this donation form to collect donations from your friends and families.

Please mail all checks, with your collection form, no later than February 28, 2010 to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Make Cures Happen Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon Campaign
PO Box 4423
Pittsfield, MA 01202-9901

Please make sure all checks are payable to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Set your fundraising goal
Choose a goal that inspires you, a goal that would be a satisfying achievement. The more funds you can raise, the more lifesaving cancer research LLS can fund.

Ask early, Ask often
Always carry a couple of pledge forms or be ready to talk about your participation in Make Cures Happen. Everyone you encounter should be considered a potential donor. Don't be afraid to ask for support.

Matching Gift Programs
Corporate matching gifts are an easy way for people to increase the impact of their personal contributions to LLS. By taking advantage of a company's matching gift program, a donor can generate an additional gift that may automatically double or triple his or her own contribution.

Click on this link www.matchinggifts.com/lls/ to see if a company has a matching gifts program.

Here's how to make a matching gift:

• Check with your company's human resources department to find out about its matching-gift policy.
• Many employers will provide a form for you to fill out and send to us with your basic donation.
• We will verify your gift and return the form to your company, which will then issue a matching gift contribution to LLS.

Please only send your company's matching gift form to:

Betsy Flowers/Make Cures Happen
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310 
White Plains, NY 10605

(The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Tax Identification Number is 13-5644916)

Make a personal donation
Get a jump-start to your fundraising by making a personal donation toward your fundraising efforts.

Thank your donors
Keep track of your donors. As donations are received, follow up with a note, email or call to acknowledge and thank the individual or group for the donation.