How to Be a Better Philadelphian: Save a Life

Hand Out Daisies
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has so many opportunities for good-doing that it established the Executive Council of Volunteer Organizations. We’re especially fond of the Daisy Day Campaign, a Philadelphia tradition since 1953 and CHOP’s largest fund-raising effort, in which members of the auxiliary hand out paper daisies in exchange for donations to the hospital. Sign up to sponsor the fashion show luncheon, rub elbows with the likes of Michael Kors (who showed his fall line at last year’s event), and keep contributions to CHOP’s invaluable patient care programs flowing. 267-426-6500, giving.chop.edu.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex Scott’s little lemonade stand took off when Sixers exec Billy King discovered it and helped spread the word. Though Alex lost her battle with cancer in 2004, the foundation still carries on her goal: to raise money for research by holding simple lemonade stands.

DO: Hold your own lemonade stand; find out how online.

GIVE: $50 funds one hour of research; $8,000 funds a month. 610-649-3034, alexslemonade.org.

Coaches vs. Cancer
Area basketball coaches, including St. Joe’s Phil Martelli, Temple’s Fran Dunphy and Villanova’s Jay Wright, participate in this American Cancer Society program, which raises funds for cancer research.

DO: Contact the office for volunteer opportunities.

GIVE: Event sponsorship ranges from $500 to $20,000. 215-985-5401, phillycoachesvscancer.org.

American Diabetes Association
The country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to funding diabetes research — for both prevention and a cure for the disease — has a local outpost, complete with ways to participate in your own backyard.

DO: Take part in the annual Step Up to Fight Diabetes fund-raiser walk, a 10-mile stroll through Philly.

GIVE: Make a Special Occasion Donation in a loved one’s name. (The ADA suggests $2 to $5 per guest at your occasion, for a minimum of $200.) 610-828-5003, diabetes.org

United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
UCP offers programs to both children and adults with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, reaching about 3,500 area residents every year.

DO: Volunteer to help plan one of UCP Philadelphia’s six major annual events, such as the Fantasy Auction.

GIVE: Whatever amount you give, UCP Philly guarantees 86 cents out of every dollar go straight to funding its programs and charities. 215-242-4200, ucpphila.org.

Maternity Care Coalition
Formed in 1980, this group promotes health and well-being for moms-to-be, new moms and babies through its MOMobile program. Staff and volunteers reach neighborhoods at a grassroots level with programs such as Cribs for Kids and Smoke Free Moms.

DO: Make baby blankets, or mend donated clothes.

GIVE: $75 buys and delivers a crib for a mom in need. 215-972-0700, momobile.org.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Radiation oncologist Marisa Weiss started this support network in 1991. Today, it offers support and specialized education for women at all stages of the disease.

DO: Volunteer at LBBC’s various events and educational conferences.

GIVE: 83 cents of every dollar you give funds programs like the Survivors’ Helpline; the rest goes to fund-raising and management. 610-645-4567, lbbc.org.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Since 1949, this organization has funded research on and treatment for all types of blood disease, with the goal of one day wiping them out.

DO: Volunteer to plan, promote and work at various events, such as Team in Training, Light the Night and School & Youth programs.

GIVE: Buy a $10 block of 100 pixels on Millionpixelsforhope.org, an online program where patients, family and friends post images to show support. 610-521-8274, lls.org.

The Kelly Rooney Foundation/Save 2nd Base
Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39, Wayne resident Kelly Rooney kept her sense of humor, even coining the phrase “Save 2nd Base” while preparing for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. After she died in 2006, her family and friends carried on with her top priority — finding better ways to prevent the disease for those at risk, like her own daughters.

DO: Help the founders stuff t-shirts to be mailed out in Newtown Square.

GIVE: Purchase a “Save 2nd Base” t-shirt ($20-$29) — half of all proceeds benefit the Kelly Rooney Foundation. 610-745-2002, kellyrooney.org, save2ndbase.com.