tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749436707205297492.post3027766753853457225..comments2023-05-19T15:30:01.828+01:00Comments on Chris's Cancer Community: Have charities been hijacked by commercialism?Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05208572330195914101noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749436707205297492.post-4245893429943299702013-10-26T10:27:13.625+01:002013-10-26T10:27:13.625+01:00Hi Eileen
Many thanks for taking the time to writ...Hi Eileen<br /><br />Many thanks for taking the time to write your comments. My main concern is that a lot of organisations have become too wrapped up in their 'brand' and they have forgotten what they are really there to do. <br /><br />In this day and age of commercialism, I understand why they use the media in the way they do, it has almost become necessary, but many have lost their focus. Also there seems to be a lack of collaboration due to issues around fundraising. <br /><br />I feel that more decisions are made because of brand image, rather than for the best of the patients. This is becoming a very consistent theme now! <br /><br />Many thanks, Chris <br /><br />Delete<br />Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05208572330195914101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749436707205297492.post-80108619016880881482013-10-25T19:07:59.839+01:002013-10-25T19:07:59.839+01:00Chris Great points raised about this. Companies a...Chris Great points raised about this. Companies and some larger charities employ PR agencies and market research, which do not come cheap, in order to raise their profiles and generate more funds. People need to push for more transparency from these companies and charities, then they would have to rethink how they spend the money. having worked for a large charity it was frightening how much money was spent on things other than the people etc in need.<br />Eileen BAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749436707205297492.post-42937582031740828842012-10-26T17:38:15.941+01:002012-10-26T17:38:15.941+01:00Hi Anna
Many thanks, for your brilliantly ...Hi Anna<br /> Many thanks, for your brilliantly made points. Things are moving very quickly in todays society, and the days of people blindly giving money to good causes, is coming to an end. As you are aware, there are now many professional, very costly, marketing campaigns around, to try another way of persuading us to part with our hard earned cash. However as you recognise, there is little transparency, as to what the money is spent on.<br /><br /> As we might imagine, I suggest that the lack of transparency, is totally deliberate, and I'm sure that the man in the street would be shocked, if he realised how much of his £1 was going to what he thought it was! <br /><br /> Market forces, normally dictate direction, and if there are enough of us asking the right questions, and being more selective with our donations things will have to change.There is a lot more to 'Awareness Raising' than just talking about the disease. There are so many other issues involved, including how our money is spent.<br /><br /> Your comments and experience are much appreciated, and I look forward to welcoming you back to the blog soonChrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05208572330195914101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749436707205297492.post-60944583465897025912012-10-25T17:33:32.149+01:002012-10-25T17:33:32.149+01:00Thanks Chris. All very good points and I agree. ...Thanks Chris. All very good points and I agree. <br /><br />I would also like to add that the general public are also becoming far more savvy. People are beginning to check how much of a purchase price of a (for example) 'pink product' is ACTUALLY going to the charity. <br /><br />Unless you REALLY want that product, please choose to put the whole donation in to the charity's coffers directly. Then they get 100%.<br /><br />I'd also like to see some transparency of how my donated £ is actually being spent. Ie 30p on research, 17p on patient/carer support & information, 53p on administration & salaries. I can then look at the different charities and make an informed choice about where my £ is best invested.... after all, isn't the reason people donate to improve the quality of lives for those affected by the illness together with making scientific advancements in medicine?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com