Cancer society adapts without fundraisers

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

The coronavirus pandemic threw a kink into day-to-day operations for nonprofit entities across the country.

But staff and volunteers with the American Cancer Society have not backed down.

Several large fundraisers, including Relay for Life, were forced to be canceled or held virtually. 

Nancy Verderber, ACS senior community management coordinator, said operating during the pandemic has been challenging.

“This is a new type of adventure to say the least,” she said. “We are responding like every other charity in the county, trying to get by and maintain our mission.”

Relay for Life is one of the American Cancer Society’s largest fundraisers. 

The Mon Valley Relay for Life was scheduled to be held May 1 at Frazier. A second event was planned for a different date in Charleroi, but the virus forced organizers to take a different approach.

“When we got the world there would be no in person activities, we knew we would not be able to have a traditional event,” Verderber said. “So we started researching and learning about ways we could go virtual.”

The American Cancer Society almost immediately started having online drives through its website. 

Still, COVID-19 has drastically impacted fundraising efforts.

“In my 33 years with the American Cancer Society, I can confidently say we have never faced a crisis like this before,” she said. “Though we are trying very hard to adapt, there is a real chance we might have to reduce our contributions to research by 50% next year.”

To read the rest of this story, please to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.