Millions of individuals worldwide have cancer. In the United States alone, over 1.7 million new cancer cases are diagnosed yearly. The average cost of treatment can be prohibitive, often totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Donations to cancer research and treatment organizations help to fund critical lifesaving research and provide financial assistance to families struggling to pay for treatment. Every cancer donation to cancer charities helps save lives and brings us one step closer to a cure. This article covers six cancer donations to make to support cancer patients:

1. Donate blood or platelets

Blood and platelet donations are essential for cancer patients needing transfusions during surgery or chemotherapy treatment. Most blood banks, hospitals, and community centers regularly host blood drives that allow donors to give directly to cancer patients in need.

2. Donate bone marrow

Another way to support cancer patients is to donate bone marrow. The process is relatively simple and does not require surgery. Instead, a needle is used to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the hipbone. The minimum age and physical requirements for donors are 18 to 44. They will also undergo testing to confirm that they are healthy enough to donate. Those who are eligible can expect to provide support to a cancer patient in need and potentially save a life.

3. Hair donation

Donating hair to organizations such as Locks of Love is a great way to help cancer patients in need. Many people undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair, and donations of natural human hair can be used to create wigs for those suffering from hair loss due to their illness. Some organizations also accept synthetic wig donations if you don’t have any natural hair available.

4. Donate umbilical cord blood

The donation of umbilical cord blood after childbirth is becoming increasingly common as more people become aware of its potential benefits. Stem cells from donated umbilical cord blood can treat some forms of childhood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

5. Donate time or money to a cancer research organization

Organizations like the American Cancer Society are always looking for volunteers and donations to help fund their research. Donating money directly to cancer research charities can allow them to make significant strides toward finding a cure. Volunteering your time can provide much-needed support services and financial assistance to needy families. Every donation helps bring us another step closer to defeating this devastating disease.

6. Donate a car 

Most major research universities and hospitals have programs that accept vehicle donations. The vehicles are sold at auction, and the proceeds fund cancer research. Donating cars for cancer research is a great way to support cancer patients because it directly funds the development of new treatments and therapies. Additionally, it is a way to help cancer patients that do not require any out-of-pocket expenses. Anyone can donate a car, and the process is usually straightforward. Most organizations will even pick up the vehicle from your home. So if you want to support cancer patients, consider donating a car for cancer research. It is a simple act that can make a big difference in the fight against cancer.

St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is a particularly notable charity that provides critical care and treatment to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. St. Jude’s accepts monetary and in-kind donations like toys and clothing for the families staying at their facility, making it simple to support their mission. Each of these six donation types can contribute to helping cancer patients in need. Whether you donate money or your time, every gift helps save lives and brings us one step closer to finding a cure.