Fundraising on behalf of a patient can be done anywhere in the world. If a patient has friends or family all over the world, efforts can be coordinated. This document will give you some idea where to begin.

The first thing to do is open a bank account in the patient’s name. It will be important for people who wish to wire money to have the Swift code number (non-US bank accounts), routing number (US bank accounts), or IBIN number (EU).

• Plan a fundraising event. The event could be large or very small. Here are some ideas:
• Find a restaurant willing to donate food or cater for free and a venue that is willing to host you for free, even a friend’s yard. Charge admission or ask for a suggested donation.
• Find a restaurant willing to donate food or cater for free and a venue that is willing to host you for free, even a friend’s yard. Charge admission or ask for a suggested donation.
• Have the event in your own home! Serve food and drinks, invite friends and ask them to invite more friends. Set a suggested cover charge or during the party, to the patient’s story and ask for donations.
• Sell small items at a higher price, with the profits going towards the family.
• Buying Mexican handicrafts and selling them to friends and family, or members of your community.
• Solicit donations from your family, friends, faith community, or ethnic community.
• Put together a letter of appeal that tells the story of the patient and requests donations. Say what the donation will go towards. Send the letter (or e-mail) to people in your immediate circle, or influential people in the community who might be willing to donate. If it is an e-mail, ask people to forward it. Pretty soon, the e-mail will make its way to many people around the world who may want to donate.
• Launch a media campaign in your local community. (See “Raising Funds Through a Media Campaign.”)
• Use the internet!
• Create a website to tell the patient’s story and collect donations. Be sure to include either an address to send checks, an online payment method (like PayPal), or banking information.
• Make a ‘You-Tube” video of the patient telling his/her story, and asking for help. Include information about how to send donations. Send the link to friends and family and ask them to pass it on!

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