Non-profit Organization

Wow... that is one powerful question!
While I was going through my "previvor" experience, I was invited to join a group of women breast cancer survivors. Since I have the BRCA gene mutation, I have lived the breast cancer experience with my family members. I can certainly empathize with the breast cancer community, but those of us who have never heard the words: YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER are NOT the same.
This same group invited me to a luncheon that I happily attended to show my support & friendship.
When it was time to check in, I was asked if I was a survivor & I honestly said no. I was told that I could not sit with my group of friends.
At this point, I was just a blog with a huge following. I had over $2000.00 in donations in my purse to present.
Yes...I made the phone call to someone high up (who was expecting me) to tell them what was going on.
At this point, my someone met me, apologized profusely & I vowed that I would start our group for "people like me" and I did. Wow... that is one powerful question!
While I was going through my "previvor" experience, I was invited to join a group of women breast cancer survivors. Since I have the BRCA gene mutation, I have lived the breast cancer experience with my family members. I can certainly empathize with the breast cancer community, but those of us who have never heard the words: YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER are NOT the same.
This same group invited me to a luncheon that I happily attended to show my support & friendship.
When it was time to check in, I was asked if I was a survivor & I honestly said no. I was told that I could not sit with my group of friends.
At this point, I was just a blog with a huge following. I had over $2000.00 in donations in my purse to present.
Yes...I made the phone call to someone high up (who was expecting me) to tell them what was going on.
At this point, my someone met me, apologized profusely & I vowed that I would start our group for "people like me" and I did.

Thank you for inviting me today to answer some questions.
Creating a 501(c)(3) was not as difficult as the decision to create & maintain one was. Once I made the decision to become a not for profit I just turned to professional advice. Accountant, attorney & a team of doctors, social workers & genetic counselors to turn to for help when needed.
I started the group with a personal donation of $25.00 to our checking account & I also made the personal donation of all start up costs.
previvorsandsurvivors.com is something I believe in & am commited to as it is a much needed group in our community.
I am now proud to say that we are a full fledged group with a caring board to help me help others.
Thank you for inviting me today to answer some questions.
Creating a 501(c)(3) was not as difficult as the decision to create & maintain one was. Once I made the decision to become a not for profit I just turned to professional advice. Accountant, attorney & a team of doctors, social workers & genetic counselors to turn to for help when needed.
I started the group with a personal donation of $25.00 to our checking account & I also made the personal donation of all start up costs.
previvorsandsurvivors.com is something I believe in & am commited to as it is a much needed group in our community.
I am now proud to say that we are a full fledged group with a caring board to help me help others.

The most difficult part of starting a nonprofit was the funding. I knew I had to have a specialized website to be able to do the search and connection in the database and to keep all information private. A friend of mine who's a web entrepreneur helped me put together a sitemap that I used to approach web designers and programmers for quotes. At the same time, I applied for nonprofit status and when I rec'd it, I sent out a letter to my family and close friends asking for money. I raised about $9,000 which helped offset some of the initial programming expenses. The most difficult part of starting a nonprofit was the funding. I knew I had to have a specialized website to be able to do the search and connection in the database and to keep all information private. A friend of mine who's a web entrepreneur helped me put together a sitemap that I used to approach web designers and programmers for quotes. At the same time, I applied for nonprofit status and when I rec'd it, I sent out a letter to my family and close friends asking for money. I raised about $9,000 which helped offset some of the initial programming expenses.

This is a great question. When I completed treatment I had a passion to help others. I wanted to start volunteering somewhere local to help other survivors. When the idea for Pink-Link popped into my head, "connect survivors with each other online", I knew I had to go for it. It's hard to start any kind of new venture, but I took baby steps and focused on what I needed to do each day. If you have the passion, then you'll be successful! This is a great question. When I completed treatment I had a passion to help others. I wanted to start volunteering somewhere local to help other survivors. When the idea for Pink-Link popped into my head, "connect survivors with each other online", I knew I had to go for it. It's hard to start any kind of new venture, but I took baby steps and focused on what I needed to do each day. If you have the passion, then you'll be successful!