I worry

I have to admit I am worried about the year ahead for both Walking with Jane and NET cancer.

We have made big strides against NET cancer…

Walking with Jane has had a great 2012. Our goal was to generate $76,000 and we generated $96,000. We have scripts written and ready to go for PSAs on National TV. And people tell me we have made a difference in morale, both on the research and fundraising sides.

Big financial NET cancer goals

But next year, our goal is to raise at least $150,000–the goal we set for Year Three when we started in the Spring of 2011–and ideally I’d like to see us reach $200,000 in 2013 based on our success in 2013. To say that either of those numbers terrifies me is an understatement. It is, however, what we have to do if we are going to keep moving the NET cancer research ball forward.

…we are all going to need lots of help…

And we remain way short of the goal I set back in March to educate three million people about NET cancer this year. At best, we have reached 100,000 so far, and while I will give it until March before I close the books on that particular goal, getting there without a huge amount of outside help is just not going to happen.

Creating a NET cancer plan

Only a national PSA broadcast could give us that kind of reach–and the possibility for that at least exists. Next week I may try to put together a YouTube video.

…our goal is to raise at least $150,000…

Most of what we have done so far is provide seed money that researchers can use to leverage other money. We are still 3-5 years from being able to do much more than that by ourselves. We will continue to partner with other, often older, foundations to create more private giving. The longterm goal–adopted by at least some of those other foundations–is to double private funding for NET cancer and Carcinoid Syndrome every year for the next five years.

We need help to beat NET cancer

But we are all going to need lots of help to get there.

The truth is the fiscal cliff–regardless how that issue is finally resolved–is likely going to put a real crimp in government funding of NET cancer research–not that there is a whole lot there to begin with. But government spending does lend an air of legitimacy in the eyes of some funding groups.

NET cancer and the fiscal cliff

Further, suggestions that part of that bargain include elimination of the charitable giving deductions will very likely have an impact on private giving to organizations funding–and doing–NET cancer research. Charities, generally, will take a real hit if that deduction is eliminated.

…people tell me we have made a difference…

We have made big strides against NET cancer this year. And the potential is certainly there for even greater strides in the year ahead as we begin to get the results of the DNA study. But those strides will only come about–the results of that research will only fully be exploited–if we have the resources  that will help us do so.