EDITOR’S NOTE: Starting with this newsletter, we are launching a new “Fundraiser Spotlight Series”, featuring some of our top fundraisers in recent years. The idea is for members to get to know our fellow ALK members better and to get inspiration and ideas for how we, too, can fundraise for research through ALK Positive, Inc.

Fundraiser Spotlight: Erika Hlavacek

Meet Erika Hlavacek. Erika is a mom and a wife, a retired pilot, and a stage IV ALK lung cancer patient. Because of her diagnosis, she has been heavily involved in both advocacy and fundraising, has founded her own nonprofit, yEAHbestlife, which fundraises for lung cancer research, and is on the Board of Directors for ALK Positive, Inc. She is also behind all the cool apparel and accessory designs that you can see on the ALK Positive online store. Erika has been one of our top fundraisers, contributing $69,000 in raised funds to ALK Positive research from 2018 to date! So we wanted to know what she did and how she did it, and asked for her tips.

Erika raised funds primarily via promoting widely on social media. The key to Erika’s success was her carefully crafted message speaking to all readers, making a connection, along with relevant content encouraging folks to care enough to donate! Her message worked!

Erika’s core message to potential donors included lung cancer education, her hope for more life, and the need for continued research. Erika draws in her friends, family and contacts, letting them know that lung cancer can happen to anyone with lungs and zero risk factors, just like her!

Erika is excited about lung cancer research and the wealth of new scientists striving to make advancements in the field. In fact, there have been more drug approvals in the last two years than in the last two decades, which is cause for hope and optimism, but the research is not near done! Yes, advancements are being made, but so much more funding is needed to find a cure!

We asked Erika for tips on how to make your fundraising campaign message more meaningful. Erika said, “If possible, make it personal, impactful and full of hope vs. using a generic template.” Erika’s tips include collecting all contacts’ email addresses, and sending reminders and thank-you notes to all donors, large and small. Erika emailed 250 contacts and promoted on social media. We know that many members have concerns and reservations about their ability or that of their contacts to donate large amounts. Here’s what Erika had to say about that: “The $50 donations add up and greatly contributed to my fundraising success!”

Thanks so much to Erika for her fundraising efforts advancing ALK Positive research!

No matter the size of the donation or how large the fundraiser, every dollar adds up and is critically needed! Over the years, our smaller fundraisers have made an impact! No initiative is too small to make a difference, give hope and save lives.

Begin your fundraising now at

LUNGevity. https://www.alkpositive.org/fundraise.

Fundraising Questions: email the team at Fundraising@alkpositive.org

Fundraising Tips & Fundraising Ideas can be found on the ALK Positive Blog.

For ALK Positive merchandise (all funds after production costs go to ALK research): Visit our website, https://www.alkpositive.org/ and click “Shop” on the top menu.

Interview by: Maureen Boutin, ALK Positive Fundraising Committee