866-311-7847 and Other Crazies

This morning I was thinking to myself: Self, you really need to call your friend Tracy and get involved in the American Cancer Society--or some other cancer organization. You see, I don't have any money to give, but I do have time on my hands. And I know that Tracy works hard for the ACS.

Then, within five minutes, the phone rang. 866-311-7847 (We finally have caller ID!) A woman said she was calling on behalf of the "breast cancer society" who raises funds for individuals fighting cancer to help with medical bills and personal needs.

Wow, I think to myself. What are the odds? And is she calling me because my name is on some breast cancer list somewhere? So I say: "I can't make a donation right now, but I recently had breast cancer. Can you send me information on your organization so I have it for future reference?"

She says, without missing a beat: "Oh. You're a survivor?"

Now, really there is only one way to answer this question. Because if I wasn't a survivor, she'd be calling me in the afterlife, and I'm pretty sure that we aren't going to be getting unsolicited phone calls in heaven. And it's at this point that I start to realize this lady is not all that bright and the organization sounds a bit shady.

I say: "Yes. But I can't make a donation right now, can you send me the information on your organization for the future, when I can make a donation?"

She says, quite sternly: "No, I can only send information to those who can guarantee a donation."

At this point I hung up.

Seriously? This is supposed to be a woman fighting on my behalf? This is the voice of breast cancer awareness, research and financial assistance? I don't think so. So, I looked up the number on line and found a bevy of complaints about people calling from this number. I discovered that these people can be quite annoying and may not even be for real. Now her behavior makes more sense. She's a scam artist, not a woman championing my cause.

So, please, please, if you ever get a phone call to donate to my cause, don't do it. There are plenty of reputable organizations that will help people. Don't ever give to someone who calls you on the phone and can't even send you a letter explaining who they are--even if you, like me, are a "survivor."

Want some names of good breast cancer organizations? Send your money to:

The American Cancer Society
The Susan G. Komen Foundation
The Susan Love Research Foundation
Right Action for Women (The Christina Applegate Foundation)
Avon Walk for a Cure
Stand Up 2 Cancer
City of Hope

These people will all be willing to tell you more about their organization and what it is exactly that they do to help women with breast cancer. They've demonstrated an ability to make a difference and I wouldn't hesitate to personally give to each of them, if I could.

But whatever you do, don't give to the people at 866-311-7847 or anyone else who calls you on the phone. And please, please, when someone tells you they had breast cancer, don't ask them if they are a survivor. Seriously. Would they be talking to you if they weren't?