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Blogging 24 hours non-stop to support cancer research

By EDREI ZAHARI

Blogathon is an international event where bloggers from all over the world blog 24 hours straight, publishing posts every half an hour, to raise money for charity organizations of their choice.

As a veteran blogger, I have supported charities and foundations in their fight against cancer through this event for the past three years. Last year I managed to raise about US$220 for the Association for International Cancer Research. It’s a pitiful sum compared to the US$760 raised by the National Cancer Council of Malaysia in the 2005 Blogathon.

I am participating in Blogathon again on 28 July 0600 PST to raise money for the same organisation. I hope to raise more than US$1,000 with your support.

Why all this for cancer research? The reason is simple. Everyone has had a loved one, friend or acquaintance touched by this disease. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t been affected by cancer.

Many years ago, I lost a close friend to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. And since then I made a promise to myself and her family that I would do my best and contribute to cancer research.

There is nothing I can do to bring her back. But what I can do is try, no matter how futile my efforts might be, to stop it from happening to others.

Since her death, I have completed my degree in applied medical biotechnology and I’m now completing my final year in a degree in medical science (pathology). I want to join the ranks of researchers who dedicate their lives to finding a cure for cancer.

And so when I discovered Blogathon, I jumped at the chance to support a cancer research organization.

You can help make a difference to patients, their families and friends. Help find a way to stop cancer by supporting my pledge for the Association for International Cancer Research during Blogathon.

In previous Blogathons, I did not have a theme for my posts. This year, however, I’ll be blogging about the disease itself: What is cancer? How does it arise? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? Things I think every one should know so that they might be prepared if they ever face it.

If you’re interested in helping me or other Blogathoners raise funds, do this:

1. Visit the Blogathon website.
2. On the right hand corner of the page, there will be link directing you to a list of bloggers and charities that they’re supporting.
3. Choose a blogger you would like to sponsor. (If you would like to support my cause, look for Footsteps in the Mirror or just click here).
4. To make a pledge, you need to register on the site. Don’t worry, there’s no hassle at all. All you need to submit is your name, e-mail address and password. Once you’re signed-up, log on to site.
5. Enter the amount and the currency in which you would like to donate. There is an option for you to remain anonymous.
6. Once you continue, you’ll be asked to confirm your amount again.
7. That’s it!

All proceeds will be transferred directly to the organization. The monetary transaction does NOT involve the bloggers or moderators of the Blogathon website.

In addition, your e-mail address is only going to help Blogathon keep track of the donors and the amount of money raised. The information will let us know that our efforts to do good by blogging for 24 hours straight were not in vain.

I hope that you will find it in your heart to help our cause. If not in pledges and donation, then by spreading the word about this event.

Positive change occurs when people work together. And it begins with you.

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EDREI ZAHARI is a contributing writer for theCICAK.

Edrei is a Medical Science student completing his final year in Charles Sturt University and has completed a degree in Applied Medical Biotechnology prior to that. Despite his dedication to the scientific community, he has written for the The Star and for a teen community site Xfresh where he specialised in relationship and life articles. His personal life and perspective commentary can be found on his blog. Visit his site.