09/11/2012
Message to Ellen Ziffren: Co-Founder & Executive Leadership Council for Stand Up To Cancer.
Dear Ellen, your work with SU2C is amazing. The segment from the 2012 SU2C show about Laura Ziskan prompted me to contact you. She was a remarkable light and her mission must be completed. Seeing her speak during that segment reignited my own passion to defeat Cancer.
My father lost his battle to neuroendocrine cancer on December 29, 2007. I promised then to do everything I could to defeat this disease. Before he died, we thought of a very simple idea that could generate significant sustainable funding to find the cure: Collect refundable deposits from recyclable bottles and cans.
U.S. Census data show that Massachusetts has over 2,500,000 households. If each household donated 20 bottles or cans a week at five cents, that would bring in $130 million dollars in one year. Multiply that by the ten states that have refundable deposit programs.
Contributing to SU2C's mission has been my dream since my father was diagnosed. Imagine yellow Cancer recycle bins lining the streets of Everytown USA, filled with nickels or dimes that can help eradicate cancer once and for all. This approach will empower so many people that cannot afford to otherwise donate money to the cause.
The recycling fundraising idea is simple and, if developed, implemented, and marketed well, it could really help the nation defeat cancer. Please forward this suggestion to Lisa Paulsen and the rest of your coworkers if you feel it is viable.
Thank you for all your great work and your time in reading this message. Please feel free to contact me. I would love to contribute to the cause any way I can.
