Each year, more than 600,000 people die of cancer. It’s one of the top five leading causes of death in the U.S.
Prominent charities and nonprofit organizations have done amazing work to fight cancer and raise awareness. However, this has led to a skewing of public perception of which cancers are the most common and the most deadly. A recent survey found that breast cancer concerns Americans the most, despite the fact that colon pancreatic, and lung cancer all cause more deaths annually. Only 14% of Americans were most concerned about lung cancer, despite the fact that it kills over three times as many Americans as breast cancer. Ovarian cancer is another danger that females are getting affected with. The borderline ovarian cancer symptoms often get unnoticed for too long.
Perhaps one of the reasons behind the lack of publicity for deadly cancers like those of the colon, pancreas and lung is the lack of funding. According to Charity Navigator, the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation receives almost $80 million in funding annually, compared to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, which receives just over $4 million.
If you’re interested in donating your money towards a cancer-related charity, it’s important to do your research on where your money is most needed so that you can contribute to breakthroughs in treatment and research. Start by searching for which charities are the most underfunded — and from there, you can explore how their annual donations and grants are allocated. Then you’ll be glad knowing your money is being put to good use.
