A thought on fundraising for these trials

[ay2012]

I don't know if this is at all possible, as I'm sure ChinaSCINet, etc. only have projected estimates for the amounts needed for upcoming trials; but I think the idea of a funding counter (we need x amount to start the trial, we have y amount secured) could be a powerful way for people to be motivated towards contributing. I'm new to all of this and am lucky to be financially secure enough to donate myself. But, I'm trying to think about the best way to get friends and family involved. When my accident happened they were more than happy to throw a fundraiser for me (despite not needing it!) but I feel as if donating to the "cure", or even to the network, is too general for people to feel like their money makes a difference. If they could see how far or how close we are to funding goals for SPECIFIC trials they may be more willing. Just a thought...

[comad]

"Specific" is something what we need.
Human Trial for umbilical cord stem cells is happening in front of us.
Not "Donate for cure" or "world without wheelchairs" or "make a difference" or...

HUMAN TRIAL - TO FIX US - IS GOING ON !

Also, in my opinion "SciNetUsa" is too narrow - as trial will go to Norway, eventually to India, back to China...and so on. Human trial has a World significance! (yes, I am in Canada) and we should see SciNetWorld.org !

IMO "JustforDollarPlease" - the name of fundraising campaign for the trial sounds little bit embarrassing - as beggar call.
"JustforDollarPlease" is maybe sufficient for individual pledges, contacts, efforts and 1:1 sales of any fundraising tools or just for small donations.

I think SCINetWorld (or at least SCINetUSA) should be present on fundraising tools rather than "JustforDollarPlease".

For any serious contacts with companies, organizations etc. to pledge for any larger donation will be nice to be SCINetWorld Human Trial as lot of people from other countries would find themselves involved with this.

For example, my company is manufacturing some promo products.
We are specialized in print on metal and we have developed some metal bookmarks (and some other products) that can be customized and super-customized with their company, organization Logo or private, Family message along with Logo or message of Fundraising Human Trial campaign.



One can buy them as general "JustaDollarPlease" or super-customized.
Whatever option buyer takes, it will be donating to SciNet Human trial as we already stitch portion for SciNet within metal bookmark price and would send that portion of the payment for bookmarks for donation for Human Trial.

It will be cool if all processing and orders for our (or any fundraising tool) is going through SciNet website keeping all under 1 roof and we would just ship to final buyer... that would be easiest for us...
For people from SciNet - please consider

BTW, currently www.SCINetUSA.org is down for more than week (too long !) waiting for revamp and will be great if someone update us about new website?

[Barrington314mx]

Getting someone like Chelsie Hill linked up with SCInetUSA, and on some talk shows like Ellen, would be a great idea i think.

[Tachtig]

Ay2012 made a good point on the whole experience of donating money for a certain cause. There are lots of things that will influence the decision of a person to decide wether he or she will donate money.

First impression
First looks are important. Make sure there is a good looking and easy to understand website available. The customer will be looking for the following things:

• What does this organization do?
• How will my donations be used?
• Why does this organization deserve my donation?
• How can I donate?

Donating
Make sure the donate button is clear and visible for the visitors! Also make it easy for the visitor to donate through different methods (credit card, paypal, sms, bank transfer, post adres).

Place testimonials on your website from other people with their reasons why they have donated. This will engage your visitor to donate for this cause. It's even better to find a famous person / organization / charity to make a statement why people should donate to your organization.

What Ay2012 already mentioned is also a great way to motivate / engage visitors to donate. They will see how much is still needed and how many other people have already donated.

Some tips to promote donating in the proces besides the above pointers:

• Promote outcomes of what has already been achieved
• Convey a sense of urgency
• Provide social proof
• Explain where to money goes
• Provide clear steps to donate
• Include "trust" symbols and logos for payments

After donating
After a person has donated money you should consider the following things:

• Thank them in a personal message
• Encourage them to spread the word (social channels like facebook,twitter etc) or by word or other media channels
• Let them know how they can help out
• Give them regular updates about the advancements you make

So the fact that the SCInetUSA website offline is just terrible. Also the other websites could use an update and use the above pointers. Of course it's already great that people have put time and effort in this cause. But there improvements to be made!

There are lots of great / easy ways these days to set up a really decent looking and highly functional website.

Any questions? Let me know!

[Jim]

Sorry I haven't responded sooner, things have been nuts.

ay2012, I think the funding counter is a good idea. I haven't run clinical trials before but have been told we will have a good deal of expenses to cover in addition to the actual cost per subject. I guess these costs be a part of the counter? We are now planning a big fundraiser next year. That may be a great time to use a fundraising counter.

Comad, we really appreciate your efforts, if the community takes advantage of what you are offering a lot of awareness and money can be raised. Comad has sent me samples and they are really works of art, I hope everyone supports his efforts.

We have deliberately kept the clinical trial networks separate. This way, donors know exactly where their money is going. All donations to ChinaSCINet stay in China, SCINetUSA donations stay here. People are much less likely to give if their donation will be used in another country. As more networks start up, we should have a unifying name, but funding must be kept separate.

Barrington, it would be great if she were a spokesperson for our clinical trials.

Tachtig, thanks for great suggestions, I will pass them on to our designer. Both websites are currently being redesigned. SCINetUSA has been re-directed to JustADollarPlease.org for the time being.

I value everyone's thoughts and bring them up for discussion/consideration in meetings.

Thanks,

Jim

[ay2012]

Thanks for the reply Jim. I would think all costs related to the trial could enter the counter...so that once the cost estimate is covered, people can direct their efforts elsewhere. At least we could, so to speak, put a check mark next to the funding issue on the checklist.

[ay2012]

Hi again all,
I came across this, which was along the lines of what I was proposing: https://www.fenexy.org/grant_detail.php?beca=1
Also, for those interested here, it appears as there is a separate clinical trial being organized in Spain, with intrathecal stem cell injections for complete, chronic patients (separate to the one by Vaquero). It was my understanding that this was unlikely to do much.... But the research team is headed by the lead doctor at the Guttmann Institute, a well respected spinal cord rehab and recovery facility and a serious man. Anyone else have any insight?

[Steven Edwards]

http://fundly.com/

[Tim C.]

Originally Posted by ay2012

I don't know if this is at all possible, as I'm sure ChinaSCINet, etc. only have projected estimates for the amounts needed for upcoming trials; but I think the idea of a funding counter (we need x amount to start the trial, we have y amount secured) could be a powerful way for people to be motivated towards contributing. I'm new to all of this and am lucky to be financially secure enough to donate myself. But, I'm trying to think about the best way to get friends and family involved. When my accident happened they were more than happy to throw a fundraiser for me (despite not needing it!) but I feel as if donating to the "cure", or even to the network, is too general for people to feel like their money makes a difference. If they could see how far or how close we are to funding goals for SPECIFIC trials they may be more willing. Just a thought...

I fear an "X Dollars To Go Thing" would always face that moving target thing, it always seems like it'd never catch up.