What Does It Really Take to Raise Over $1 Million for Underserved Cancer Patients

Raising more than $1 million is no small task. It requires time, energy, consistency, and above all, heart. When it comes to supporting underserved breast cancer patients, the need is massive and the work is ongoing. But individuals like Andi Sklar have proven that with the right approach and genuine care for others, real change is possible.

Let us look at what it truly takes to raise that kind of funding and how dedication, local involvement, and steady action play a key role in this mission.

What Does It Really Take to Raise Over $1 Million for Underserved Cancer Patients? A Cause Rooted in Community

Every fundraising story begins with a deep connection to the cause. For Andi Sklar, it all started with a focus on her own community in Westport, Connecticut. She didn’t begin with national platforms or large campaigns. Instead, she put her efforts into the people around her — children, families, and individuals going through serious health struggles.

By starting small and staying consistent, she built a foundation of trust within the community. Whether it was helping at the Temple Israel Early Childhood Center or launching Angel-ade, a lemonade stand supporting families with life-threatening illnesses, her efforts were hands-on and steady.

Learning from Experience

Raising over $1 million doesn’t happen in one night. Andi worked her way through different roles and responsibilities, learning with every step. One of her major contributions came through her work with PinkAid, a support group for breast cancer patients who do not have the financial safety net many others may take for granted.

Starting as Auction Chair and eventually becoming Event Chair, Andi focused her energy on building strong events that mattered. Her strength was not just in organizing, but in knowing what made people care. She paid attention to the little details, from the items auctioned to the emotional impact of the programs.

This level of connection was critical. People don’t give just because they’re asked. They give because they see the purpose. They give because someone like Andi shows them why their support is meaningful.

Building Events That Make an Impact

Events are a huge part of large fundraising efforts. But not all events are the same. Some are just get-togethers. Others, like the ones organized by Andi, move people to action.

One of her most notable efforts was Hearts In Harmony, which brought the community together while raising awareness about Long QT syndrome. Another project, Check Your Beat, provided free EKGs to children, a clear example of how she turns ideas into programs that help others directly.

These events weren’t large just for the sake of being large. They were clear in their goals. They gave people a reason to participate, and they delivered results.

Consistency Over Time

Success didn’t come in the first year or even the second. Over the past 16 years, Andi Sklar has poured her time into various causes, slowly building relationships, growing her influence, and learning how to lead people with both kindness and determination.

This long-term effort is what made the million-dollar mark possible. It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a one-time thing. It was the result of commitment built over years. It came from being present and showing up for the community over and over again.

Final Thoughts

Raising over $1 million for underserved breast cancer patients took more than just planning. It took years of community involvement, carefully organized events, and a strong sense of purpose. Andi Sklar’s work is a reminder that real change happens when people commit for the long haul.

Ricky is a graduate of computer science engineering, a writer and marketing consultant. he continues to study on Nano technology and its resulting benefits to achieving almost there.