The IWMF requires a continuous infusion of funds for two major purposes. One is to provide member services such as the newsletter and bulletins, educational publications, annual educational forum, internet communications and the web site, and the myriad other expenses involved in serving our members. The other is to fund research leading to more successful treatment and ultimately to a cure.

While it is feasible to expect our membership to provide funding for member services, research projects are simply too costly to be funded from members’ regular annual donations, so we have to look to other sources. Some of our members focus on corporate and charitable sources, but these efforts usually require years to bear fruit. Meanwhile, there is a source that is ready, willing, and eager to help: our friends and relatives.

One of our members, Albert Zucker, first tapped this source when he sent a letter requesting donations to a number of his friends. He was astonished to discover that his simple letter generated over $2000! From his experience, the idea for the Million Dollar Club (MDC) was born. If a thousand of us raised $1000 each, we would raise $1,000,000. for research into improved treatment and a cure for WM.

In 1999, ten of us tested the idea in a pilot program. We pledged to raise $1000 each and wrote to friends and family asking for donations to the MDC. It worked beyond our wildest hopes! We raised, not $1000 each, but nearly three times that, a total of $29,000.

It took just an evening’s time to prepare letters. Most of us sent them to our holiday mailing lists. Not only did we have about a 50 percent positive response, but we also received many heart-warming comments from recipients. They told us how happy they were to be able to do something concrete to help. Letter writers, who at first had been reluctant to participate, were glad they had joined the effort.

Having allocated $124,000 in 2000 to four research grants and anticipating the need for at least $200,000 for the year 2001, the IWMF began to promote the Million Dollar Club to the general membership. We discovered that while many are willing to send out letters, others are reluctant. The need for research funds, however, remains.

How It Works

We have, therefore, created several ways to join the MDC effort. Anyone may become a member of the MDC by

1. Filling out the "Count Me In" form, and by
2. Taking one of the following actions:
1. Writing and mailing a letter requesting donations to the MDC (no minimum $ amount is required–the act itself is enough to assure membership)
2. Writing a check for $1000 to the MDC
3. Pledging $1000 to be paid over time, up to five years

Names of those who have completed their MDC membership obligations are printed in The Torch, the IWMF newsletter.

At first, I was very hesitant to go to my friends for help but decided that if I didn’t, who would? Since then, several have called to ask for the IWMF address for subsequent donations. A former colleague who was not on my original mailing list heard from another about my letter and called to ask for a copy so that she, too, could donate. She has made two more donations as well!

Experience has taught us that individual contributions from such letters average $50, and the total from each mailing is about $2000. Some MDC members add a challenge grant to their letters, saying they will match contributions up to a certain amount. This strategy helps the recipient understand how serious you are about the effort.

To ease any embarrassment that might arise from asking for donations, the MDC has adopted a record-keeping procedure to protect donor privacy. First, donations are sent directly to the IWMF. Members are sent the names of contributors and the total dollar amount raised but not the amount of individual gifts. Donors also have the option to remain anonymous.

To make participation easy, we have provided a sample letter and some example letters by other members that may be simply copied or used as a guide and for inspiration. Feel free to use those letters or to plagiarize any part of them which appeal to you.

We encourage letter writers to use the breast cancer stamp for their mailings. Also, it is a good idea to include an IWMF brochure in your mailing. Our office provides these as well as pre-printed return envelopes addressed to Million Dollar Club with the office address. The contact is:

By the end of 2001, the MDC had 109 members, 66 of whom have completed their obligation. In 2000 and 2001, these members raised $208,513. Of that amount we have allocated or spent the entire amount, and currently have several more excellent proposals awaiting approval and funding.

If we do not help each other, and ourselves who will?

Warm regards,

Ben Rude

President, IWMF