Organizations are partnering with NFT projects and accepting crypto donations to draw attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The hype around nonfungible tokens (NFTs) may be fading, yet several organizations continue implementing Web3 initiatives. Nonprofit organizations and activists have begun implementing nonfungible token projects to help fundraise and generate awareness for specific causes.
While these methods are still new, NFT projects for philanthropy have been met with relative success. A recent report from the crypto donation platform, The Giving Block, found that nonprofits using The Giving Block received more than 12.3 million dollars in cryptocurrency donations from NFT-related charitable giving initiatives in 2021. The report further noted that charitable organizations using NFTs are presented with the opportunity to connect with younger donor demographics while diversifying donation methods.
NFT projects breast cancer awareness month
Benefits such as these can be beneficial for raising awareness around life-threatening diseases. Several breast cancer-focused organizations have started implementing NFTs this October to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
For example, Shaney jo Darden, founder of the Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB) — a California-based nonprofit aiming to reduce breast cancer risk — said that KAB focuses on engaging with younger generations to bring attention to breast cancer. She said:
“Even though women over 40 are typically diagnosed with breast cancer, early detection can result in a 98% survival rate. Given this, KAB aims to generate awareness about breast cancer through encouraging and fun ways, like using NFTs to educate young women.”
Darden said that last year, KAB hosted an exhibition in the CryptoVoxels metaverse to raise money for breast cancer research. “We wanted to do an event in the Metaverse as opposed to conducting a membership drive or gala since this opens access globally,” she noted. Based on this success, Darden explained that she wanted to continue to implement Web3 initiatives — especially those involving artwork created by women — to generate awareness around breast cancer. Most recently, Darden partnered with the NFT project NFTitties to raise funds for KAB’s breast cancer prevention and educational initiatives.
Carlota Dochao Naveira, the founder of NFTitties, said that the women-led project celebrates women, art, and breasts to raise funds to fight breast cancer. “Emerging artists and activists were invited to submit an artwork representing breasts, following visual guidelines. The artworks were then vetted and, if selected, included in the first release of NFTitties,” she said.
Conclusion
While using NFTs and crypto donations to support breast cancer is innovative, these initiatives are only helpful ways to bring attention to specific causes. For instance, Bova pointed out that driving awareness and funds for breast cancer research in the Metaverse is not necessarily better. Still, an additive resource to tap into new donors and volunteers.
Echoing this, Darden mentioned that incorporating NFT projects with KAB enables the organization to diversify its funding. Yet, it hasn’t proven to be a better solution in comparison to traditional fundraising mechanisms:
“Many NFT projects die out over time, so KAB is taking a risk by being a part of certain projects. However, NFTitties has a clear goal and beautiful art that resonates with the KAB community.”
Indeed, despite several risks associated with NFT projects, nonfungible tokens remain appealing when it comes to increasing user engagement and interest.
