Received a call from Breast Cancer Charities of America this morning. She started the call with an explosive "You sure are hard to get a hold of!" and launched into her spiel without even catching her breath. The (apparently) same perky person has called before and each time I have informed them that (1) we NEVER make pledges over the phone; (2) this is my business phone; and (3) take us off the calling list. I've found I have to loudly talk over her because she just keeps on a mile-a-minute with her spiel and will not take no for an answer.
The Better Business Bureau has no rating available because the BCCA won't provide information. Charities Navigator doesn't list it even though it's been around since at least 2009. The blog below does have information, including a response from BCCA's director, and some comments are more recent than the 2009 listed in the blog name: http://voxunum.blogspot.com/2009/10/beware-of-breast-cancer-charities-of.html
Apparently no more than 20% of any donation goes to cancer support/research/or patients. The rest goes to operating this so-called charity (including a professional fund-raising firm) instead.
On BCCA's website they list a so-called charity rating organization. When I went to THAT website (http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/26-460 ... aspx#financials) this is an example of the information they had on BCCA -- as you'll note, there is very, very little (other than classifying the programs under "Animal Control" (No, I don't understand what left field that came out of either!):
Programs
Program: University Education Program (GuideStar Exchange, October 2014)
Budget:--
Category: None
Population Served: None
None
None
Program Description: Working with universities, we go onto the campuses through the health, student admissions, wellness facilities, greek life, student life/organizations to provide educational information and applications for students to prevent breast cancer through lifestyle choices.
Program Long-Term Success:
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
Program: Help Now Fund (GuideStar Exchange, October 2014)
Budget: --
Category: Animal Control [Say What?????]
Population Served: None
None
None
Program Description: We assist with the payment of rent and utilities of women going through breast cancer
Program Long-Term Success:
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
Program: Breast Cancer Education (GuideStar Exchange, October 2014)
Budget: --
Category: Animal Control [Holy cow!!!]
Population Served: None
None
None
Program Description: Through of leading education program, we reach out out millions of people across the US teach the integrated wellness message (body, mind and spirit) in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The information is built upon through non-invasive cancer research, our wellness pyramid and numerous studies done in the cancer industry. We provide applicable and up to date information for all persons in the breast cancer fight.
Program Long-Term Success:
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
Program: Feeling Beautiful Again (GuideStar Exchange, October 2014)
Budget: --
Category: Animal Control [My Goodness, yet again!!!]
Population Served: None
None
None
Program Description: Know that breast cancer impacts more than just a woman's body, we've launched a program called "Feeling Beautiful Again" that addresses the psychological side of breast cancer in a new way.
Not a robot. The first part was most likely a recording that kicked in as soon as I answered the phone, but definitely human. And, after a few minutes, the same voice [but definitely live] took over the call and responded in ways that were not voice recognition/response generated. Even the most sophisticated voice recognition/response systems today couldn't have been that seamless.
These people are bottom feeders! To try and raise money suggesting that they give a rip roaring crap about breast cancer is disgusting! NEVER donate over the phone!! Number blocked!!
I have had an unrelenting number of calls from this number, and have no way of making them stop, as the phone number used has no means of leaving a do not call message.