Why I Refuse to Donate to Susan G. Komen: A Personal Experience
By Qwen
When it comes to making charitable donations, there are certain organizations that I simply refuse to support, and Susan G. Komen is one of them. My reasons for disassociating with this charity are rooted in a personal and professional experience that left me disillusioned with their fundraising practices.
Introduction to Susan G. Komen
Susan G. Komen is one of the most recognized charities in the fight against breast cancer. However, my experience with them revolves around their fundraising activities, particularly a "Taste of…" event. My involvement in organizing and promoting this event was marked by a sense of early optimism, which quickly turned into disappointment and frustration.
A Failed Partnership
My initial contact with Susan G. Komen was through my role as Marketing Director at a large upscale shopping center. We had planned to participate in a walk-a-thon organized by the local Komen affiliate. During my first interaction, I was told that the organization had a sufficient number of participants, and therefore, it would be easier for us to make a direct donation rather than participate. My hope was that this was an unusual situation.
Several years later, we decided to sponsor a "Taste of…" event, where all proceeds would go to Susan G. Komen. We invested significant efforts into planning and promoting this event. Our center paid for professional gambling tables, provided donated baskets from our shops, and offered special ticketed events. Courtesy wines and food were also donated by our merchants, and we engaged an outside staff to serve attendees.
The event was well-attended, and we made thousands of dollars in proceeds. However, the true cost of this operation became apparent when we learned that the Susan G. Komen representative agreed to have her volunteers help with the event. These volunteers were expected to sell tickets, help manage the event, and assist with various tasks. On the evening of the event, not a single volunteer from the representative's team showed up to contribute. Only two out of the expected ten volunteers turned up, and they served for only two hours.
Two days after the event, the representative called me to inquire about the timing of the donation. She was eager to receive the funds, even though she did not contribute any effort to the event. This selfish attitude frustrated me, and I realized that my trust in the organization was misplaced.
Reflection and Disassociation
The experience left me deeply dissatisfied with Susan G. Komen's approach to fundraising. They seemed more interested in taking credit for the event's success and receiving the financial benefits rather than actively contributing to its success.
My skepticism towards Susan G. Komen led me to look for alternative charities that genuinely share the same values and are more transparent in their operations. I've found that many smaller, local organizations often provide more personalized and focused support, which is something that large national charities sometimes overlook.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my refusal to support Susan G. Komen is based on the organization's attitude towards fundraising and the lack of transparency and mutual effort during these events. Instead, I choose to support charities that actively involve their partners and volunteers, ensuring that every dollar donated goes towards making a real difference in people's lives.
When it comes to any and all political organizations, as well as cults, I firmly believe in avoiding them as they often have ulterior motives that do not align with my values.
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This article is based on personal experience and may not represent a generalized view of Susan G. Komen's operations or the experiences of other individuals. It is always advisable to research and verify the practices of any charity before making a donation.