Fundraising
How often are you offered the chance to save someone's life?
Heart&Stroke 7 SummitsTM is giving you the opportunity to do so right now. Automated External Defibrillators can increase the chance of survival during cardiac arrest from 5% to more than 50%. The cost to purchase, place and provide the associated training for a single AED is $4,000. While the minimum amount each Heart&Stroke 7 SummitsTM climber is required to fundraise is $2,500, imagine the feeling of accomplishment you'd have if you raised enough to fund the placement of an entire AED. With a little effort and our support, you can go above and beyond and exceed the minimum expectations.
1Be ambitious!
 When Sir Edmund Hillary set his sights on being the first man recorded to summit Mt. Everest, he was not willing to settle for the minimum requirement, or risk being considered average. He aimed for the top and reached that goal. Keep this in mind as you set your personal fundraising goal. Think big by going beyond the minimum and challenge yourself to reach a fundraising total that seems like a stretch. You can do it.
2Create a list of donors
 A great way to set off on your fundraising journey is to make a list of people you are going to ask for support. Think about all areas of your life and try to make your list as long as possible. Don't leave anyone off your list (think beyond friends and family, ask your dentist, dog walker and distant relatives). Once you have made your list, note how you will contact each person and how much you will ask them for. Set up a face-to-face meeting over coffee or lunch, call, email or send them a traditional letter. After your initial ask, follow up with a call or an email just in case they forget about your request.
3Suggest an amount they could donate
 While you might be uncomfortable doing this at first, you'll find that people won't know how much is appropriate to give and will appreciate being provided with a suggestion. You can do this by first sharing your goal with them. Then, let them know how important their contribution is to you reaching your goal. Be ambitious in your ask - remember they will receive a tax receipt. If they can't afford the amount you have suggested, they'll give what they can.
4Expand on your network
 When you send out the link to your personal fundraising page to your contacts, ask them to forward it to their contacts to support you. You may be surprised to find that people will be impressed by the challenge you have accepted and will want to be part of your journey to the top.
5Your personal fundraising page
 When you register for Heart&Stroke 7 SummitsTM you are given a personal fundraising page. This page can be a great tool to help you share and reach your fundraising goal. Use this page to tell your story. Post a personal photo and explain why you are taking part in Heart&Stroke 7 SummitsTM. Tell people why you think AEDs are important and share how cardiac arrest has affected your life. Don't forget to share the link to your personal fundraising page so your contacts can access the page easily.
6Company donation matching programs
 Many companies will match the funds that you raise. Ask your employer if your company has such a program. Even if they don't officially offer this, they may still be willing to support your efforts. This is a really easy way to make your efforts go twice as far. Additionally, by securing a matching commitment from your employer, your other donors will have further motivation to support you knowing that their donations will be doubled.
7Don't forget to say thanks
 Each donation, no matter how large or small, helps save lives. Please remember to recognize your supporters and communicate how integral they are to the success of this event.
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