WHY WE FIGHT.

AuthorRawle, Chris
PositionSILICON SLOPES - Methods for fundraising

5 FOR THE FIGHT IS A GLOBAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN STARTED BY QUALTRICS TO ERADICATE CANCER. THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW TO FIGHT.

Cancer is both beginning and end. A small lump detected under skin, the cold anxiety of an exam room, white blot on a dark x-ray--the instant of change. Life as it was now ended, replaced by the understanding of what it means to fight. Cancer is real and brutal, the indiscriminate attack of cells on microscopic levels. And whether direct or indirect, it will touch everyone--the beginning of a new life, the fight for survival, the end of all that was.

Those who survive laugh, weep, embrace loved ones in white hospital rooms drowned in fluorescent light--a new beginning. They find shock in tiny moments: a bright red bow tied into a daughter's black hair, long and beautiful as it catches the wind and flies; the deep pool of pre-dawn silence, arms wrapping around a solid figure, spouse, lover, hands clasped, first touch of morning sunlight spinning fine hairs to gold; alone and walking neighborhood streets, feet following familiar paths, streaks of red and purple shot against a fading sky. Life. Taken for granted until a doctor's steady words bring change, the slow drip of an IV bag, the loss of hair in vibrant shades of blonde, black, brown, red. Life. Individual strands of time marked by events large and small, photo negatives we hold to the light and gasp at what's revealed.

Those who die do so as living beings--fall asleep wrapped in soft white sheets, wake breathing fresh coconut in a lover's hair. Hold hands moist with lotion, kiss lips covered in tiny cracks. Each week, a routine--bumpy car rides, the slow unwind of plastic tubes, head resting on pillows that crackle like dry paper. Return home to a mother's shoulder, cheek against warm cotton, nose filled with clean detergent. Paint toenails bright red in the glow of afternoon sun. Celebrate birthdays with chocolate cake, blow out burning candles melted to liquid wax. Mirrors reflect change--smooth scalp, thinning flesh, unwavering eyes of light blue. Firm bed wheeled to the living room, 5x7 snapshots hung with clear strips of tape. The gathering of family. Gold flash of a sister's earring, nervous tap of a brother's foot. Final sounds of a father's favorite story, deep voice rising and falling in waves. Eyes close, breathing steadies, face a picture of calm.

Those who remain gather memories like small jewels, flaws and perfections examined with shaking hands. Mothers die and we mourn in childhood homes, stare at untended gardens of ripe tomatoes and twisting weeds, hold children with the same dimpled smiles of the dead. Fathers die and we stand tall as they're lowered in the ground, pummel heavy punching bags with bare, furious hands, shoot worn basketballs at backyard hoops until our fingers crack and bleed. Children die and we give thanks for the short time we had while grieving what could have been, light imaginary flares to trace the arc of our dreams. Brothers, sisters, friends, strangers, they die and we count the ways our paths crossed, how we golfed with them and laughed in a light rain, how we met them in passing and loved the way they spoke with kindness, how we exchanged sharp words and never took time to say sorry. Life, ended. We carry them to graveyards clothed in black, mark their passing with letters and numbers carved in stone. Express our love in speech, poem, song, words charged by force until transformed into something primal--anger turns to grief, grief turns to acceptance of loss. We seek solace in sleep, wade through memory real and unreal, search for meaning in fractured bits of dream. Wake and reach for those who aren't there, the bed a smooth, white expanse of emptiness. Close our eyes and search for the shimmer of forgotten faces, slipping from conscience with each passing day.

Cancer research represents our hope and salvation--until a cure is found, people will continue dying, families will continue experiencing unspeakable loss.

This is the story of 5 For The Fight, a global fundraising campaign started by Qualtrics to eradicate cancer. It's an open invite to join the battle, working toward a day when cancer won't carry a death sentence. It's a call to action for anyone who has watched cancer grab a loved one and squeeze.

This is the story of how to fight.

THE BEGINNING

In 2002, Qualtrics was created. Four founders--Stuart Orgill, Scott Smith, Jared Smith, Ryan Smith--laid the framework for a customer experience and research software company that has grown into one of Utah's most successful businesses: over 1,200 employees, 10 global offices, $400 million in venture funding, with plans to generate $1 billion in revenue in the next few years.

Before all the success, before Qualtrics became synonymous with tech unicorn, there was struggle. Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and began concentrating his time in two areas: fighting the disease and creating software. Over the next 15 years, he did both.

"Qualtrics started when my dad called me to tell me he had cancer," said Ryan Smith, CEO of Qualtrics. "I moved home and he and I started working on a tech project. That project eventually turned into Qualtrics. We vowed that if the company ever made any money, we would make it our mission to support cancer research."

Today, Scott is a cancer survivor and the company he co-founded has means to join the fight. 5 For The Fight was created last year as Qualtrics' way of giving back--jumpstarting a global campaign dedicated to raising money for cancer research, five dollars at a time.

THE FIVE KEYS

The first major announcement from 5 For The Fight involved a partnership arrangement with the Utah Jazz, with Qualtrics signing an agreement to have a 5 For The Fight patch placed on Jazz jerseys for the 2017-2018 season. The agreement marked the fifth of its kind in the NBA, patches worn on the five on-court players' jerseys, asking for $5 contributions from anyone willing to join the fight.

Utah Jazz President Steve Starks and owner Gail Miller both voiced support for the cause.

"The Utah Jazz and Qualtrics are excited to form a partnership that will both transform the fan experience and make a tangible...

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