Squidblog

I received this email from a friend:

“Today is National Wear Red Day. Go Red for Women is dedicated to building awareness of heart disease among women. Heart Disease is the No. 1 killer of women age 20 and over, but it is largely preventable. 1 in 3 women has some form of cardiovascular disease. More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. However, only 1 in 5 women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.”

My real motivation isn’t to talk about heart disease, although its research is a great cause! How many of you know heart disease is a problem, but after reading this particular note you’re thinking about it more than before? Statistics have a powerful way of putting needs into perspective. It’s hard to imagine 350,000 people a year needing bypass surgery, but you can visualize three of your friends, and one of them being ill.

Statistics help make needs personal. They bring issues down to a level the average donor can understand. If you serve 4000 people a year, is that 1 out of 16 people in your county? If you save 300 animals a year, is that like rescuing 27 from every square mile in your city? If it takes $80 to put a kid through your program, how big of a difference can $10 or $20 make?

What statistics can you share about your organization?