UNC Lineberger donors have demonstrated the power of matching gift challenges. An anonymous coupled pledged to match every gift, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000,and within two weeks, the cancer center received $50,000 in matching gifts. After hearing about the campaign’s success, UNC Lineberger Board of Visitors members Bill and Nancy Graham were inspired to issue an additional $50,000 challenge, effectively quadrupling the gift.
One-in-two men and one-in-three women will face cancer in their lifetimes. At UNC Lineberger, we are diligently working to change these statistics – not just for the patients who are currently battling cancer, but for all those who will be diagnosed with cancer in the future. However, we can’t do it alone. Your financial support is critical to our next-generation cancer research and exceptional patient-centered care. So it’s with heart-felt thanks that we share the success of our first-ever annual matching gift opportunity, a campaign that truly shows the power of the collective good.
In March 2016, an anonymous couple made a gift to UNC Lineberger, but there was a catch – the amount would be based on the generosity of others. “This cancer center is making a significant, positive impact on the lives of North Carolinians, and it’s time for people to step forward and show their support,” the donors said. “Therefore, we will match every gift, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. We hope our friends and neighbors will rise to the challenge.”
And did they ever! Within two weeks of the initial gift challenge, the cancer center received $50,000 in matching gifts. But it didn’t stop there. After hearing about the campaign’s success, UNC Lineberger Board of Visitors members Bill and Nancy Graham were inspired to issue an additional $50,000 challenge, effectively quadrupling the gift! As of this newsletter print date:
- UNC Lineberger had received 795 gifts, totaling $253,828.
- 86 donors made their first-ever gift to the cancer center.
- Many contributors increased their fiscal year giving by making a special gift to the match.
- This matching challenge resulted in the largest number of donations to UNC Lineberger for any online fundraising effort of its kind.
“This campaign accomplished two major goals,” explains Betsy Gentry-Bumm, director of annual giving. “It increased awareness about UNC Lineberger, North Carolina’s only public NCI comprehensive cancer center. It also raised an extraordinary amount of money for cancer research, something we will feel the effects from for years. For these reasons, we are truly humbled by everyone who supported this matching challenge.”
Handley twins featured in Lineberger campaign
Trent Handley (top) and his twin brother Tyuss In March of 2015, Trent Handley was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called “natural killer cell leukemia.” Worldwide, there are only about 60 known cases of this kind of cancer. Trent was admitted to the N.C. Cancer Hospital; his fraternal twin brother Tyuss was devastated. Pediatric oncologist Brent Weston, MD, and a team of caregivers worked feverishly to get him the right protocol and treatment while the family spent months in the cancer hospital. And then the good news came: Trent was in remission. “As a mom, when you watch your child going through something that’s life-threatening, and then to see that miracle…there are no words to express our gratitude,” says the twins’ mother, Tanisha Handley. As part of the matching gift challenge, we featured Trent and Tyuss Handley in our online campaign video. To learn more, go www.unclineberger.org/twins. |
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Bill and Nancy Graham: There’s power in a match
Like many UNC Lineberger supporters, Bill and Nancy Graham were drawn to our cancer center for dual reasons – both familial and medical. Bill’s uncle, Page Graham, was one of the original members of the UNC Lineberger Board of Visitors and was extremely proud of the cutting-edge research being done here to help his fellow North Carolinians. Page recruited Bill and Nancy to serve on the board, and through the years, the two have become avid cheerleaders for the cancer center. They have also been personally affected by cancer and have a keen understanding of UNC Lineberger from a patient’s perspective, says Nancy.
“In 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and began treatment here in Winston-Salem, but our daughter encouraged me to get a second opinion at Lineberger. I’m so glad I did,” says Nancy. “When I walked in the door at UNC, I knew I was in the right place. Dr. Lisa Carey was my oncologist and provided superlative care. The late Dr. Keith Amos was my surgeon, and I adored him. I feel like I hit the jackpot with regards to my physicians. I had chemo in Chapel Hill and came back home to Baptist Hospital for my radiation. Today, I’m thankful to be cancer-free,” says Nancy.
When asked what appealed to the couple about the ‘matching’ nature of this giving opportunity, Nancy says it’s all about doubling the power of the gift. “Bill and I knew time was of the essence if we wanted our contribution to have the most impact, and we are so pleased that others rose to the challenge, matching the funding dollar-for-dollar,” says Nancy. “Looking back at the campaign’s success, we’ve seen the collective abilities of gifts, whether large or small, to help patients like Trent Handley have a fighting chance to beat cancer.”