Athletics Fundraisers
Run, walk, or even cycle your way towards a cure – any way you like to get active can be a great opportunity raise funds and help us conquer kids’ cancer!
Do What You Want
Start fundraising in a way that works best for you.
Do What You Want — or DWYW for short — is St. Baldrick’s flexible DIY fundraising program that lets you turn your passion into progress for lifesaving research.
DWYWs make it simple for anyone to raise funds for childhood cancer research their way — from solo fundraisers to small groups who want to join in the fun while helping kids with cancer.
Types of Fundraisers
Whether running a 5K, biking a long route, bowling with friends, hosting a bake sale, or celebrating your birthday, the sky’s the limit for creating a Do What You Want Fundraiser. Here’s some of our most common:
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Backpack Fundraisers
Commit to wearing a backpack for 28 days or while walking/running 28 miles. Raise $2,500 in honor of the 2,500 kids treated this year with a lifesaving Blina backpack. Your efforts will spread awareness about the progress being made and support funding for cures still needed.
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Sale & Give Back Fundraisers
From home bakers to restaurant owners, anyone can make an impact. Try a bake sale, give-back night, or point-of-sale fundraiser to support kids with cancer.
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Do What You Want!
Not sure where your idea fits? Don’t worry! We can help make your fundraiser a success or tailor one that’s perfect for you. From fun competitions to out-of-the-box challenges, our DWYWs have raised funds in amazing ways!
How Fundraisers Work
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STEP 1
Register Your Fundraiser
You pick a date and time, and we’ll get you set up with a fundraising page, a personal coach, and access to our Resource Lounge full of tips and tools!
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STEP 2
Spread the Word
Once you register your fundraiser, spread the word and watch the donations come in! Put your page link on social media, and ask friends and family to share it, too.
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STEP 3
Fund the Best Research
Smile knowing you’ve helped fund the best childhood cancer research in the world. Keep the momentum going by dreaming up your next fundraiser idea!
See Fundraising Tips & Tricks
We’ve gathered tips to help you kick off your fundraiser!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a DWYW fundraiser and participate in a head-shaving event?
Of course, and many of our volunteers do just that! Please keep in mind that if you choose to have both a DWYW and participate in an event, you will need a separate page for each. If you’re part of a team for the head-shaving event, you can connect your DWYW to the Team Page. That way, any funds you’ve raised with your DWYW can be included in the Team’s total and ultimately the total for the head-shaving event that you’re participating in. If you need some help setting up your pages or connecting your DWYW to a Team page, drop us a line at DWYWHelp@StBaldricks.org.
How do I turn in cash/check donations?
You can make checks payable to “St. Baldrick’s Foundation” and be sure to write your fundraiser ID# in the memo line so it can be allocated to your personal fundraiser page. Then, mail your check to the address below:
St. Baldrick's Foundation
Attn: CI Team
1333 South Mayflower Avenue, Suite 400
Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
If you have cash, please do not mail it in! Instead, please follow the process outlined on “How to Submit Cash" found in the Resource Lounge.
St. Baldrick's Foundation
Attn: CI Team
1333 South Mayflower Avenue, Suite 400
Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
Where can I find resources to plan my DWYW?
Once you’ve signed up for a DWYW Fundraiser, you will have access to our Resource Lounge, which lives in the member’s area of our website. There are several tools available to you to help maximize your efforts! Or reach out to your coach to find out more.
Is the DWYW program for those who are shaving without an event?
Not quite! If you’re shaving at an event, or shaving on your own, you will need a different type of page, not a Do What You Want Fundraiser. DWYW’s are for anything and almost everything other than head-shaving. We know it might be a little confusing at first. To help, here’s a brief rundown of the three main types of involvement that we have at St. Baldrick’s:
- Head Shaving Events - Our most popular type of involvement; many people shave or volunteer at these events.
- Do What You Want Fundraisers - DIY approach to fundraising for anyone who doesn’t want to shave or volunteer at an event. People have gaming tournaments, donate their birthdays, and run marathons, just to name a few ideas!
- Virtual Shavees - For people who’d like to shave by naming their own date, time and place.
What if I want to cut and donate my hair?
Then a Do What You Want fundraiser is perfect for you! Although our Shavees need to register as a shavee, the DWYW platform is great for those who want to cut and donate their hair because they're not technically shaving. Please keep in mind, however, that St. Baldrick’s does not accept hair donations! Check out our blog post on How to Donate Your Hair or email us at DWYWHelp@StBaldricks.org.
What happens to the money I raise?
The money raised through DWYW funds lifesaving childhood cancer research. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $368 million to support lifesaving research, making the St. Baldrick’s Foundation the largest charity funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, and the International Scholar grants train researchers working in developing countries. You can learn more about our grants by visiting our Grants page, and some of the results of those grants here.