In January 2012, The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation joined one of the fastest-growing social media systems, Twitter. More and more non-profits are using Twitter to “tweet” (send) messages up to 140 characters long. Twitter has nearly 300 million users. Its popularity continues to expand, making it a social media tool with extensive reach. Twitter is an easy and efficient method for delivering messages to the masses.
Miles of Hope recently appointed Marist College senior Public Relations/Advertising student, Lindsey Sacco, to work as their Social Media Intern. One of Lindsey’s first assignments was to create a Twitter account for Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. By using Twitter, Miles of Hope will be able to “tweet” about upcoming fundraising events and organizational news.
Miles of Hope's profile on Twitter
Through this online interaction, Miles of Hope will be creating greater awareness of the organization. It provides funding to non-profit organizations for support services and outreach for people affected by breast cancer in New York’s Hudson Valley, including Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange, Ulster and Greene counties. The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit, 501-c-3 public charity established in March of 2004.
Using Twitter will allow the foundation to stimulate curiosity among the Twitter community and encourage their audience to learn more about Miles of Hope’s mission. Twitter will help Miles of Hope build and strengthen their relationship with the public and inspire increased discussion, action, knowledge and fundraising event attendance among their Twitter “followers” and Twitter users who monitor Hudson Valley event-related and breast cancer-related “hash tags” (topics).
The symbol for Miles of Hope on Twitter is @milesofhopebcf and the link is: twitter.com/milesofhopebcf
Lindsey will also help maintain the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Facebook page, which already has more than one thousand fans.
Cathy Varunok, Miles of Hope Co-Founder and Occupational Therapist at VBMC and St. Francis hospitals was honored at the Community Walk for Breast Cancer by her Movement in Dance Class in 2010.
“I was thrilled to receive the 2011 Miles of Hope scholarship. I am currently in college in Boston studying theatre and dance and feeling very grateful for your support. When my mother died of breast cancer, I was unsure of the path my life would take, and now I feel I am on a course for success and happiness. Thank you!” – Victoria Arico
“Last year we had 76 people walking and we won the prize for the team with the most walkers. We all had such a great time that this year we are going to have twice that many!” Dori Kerner, St. Francis Hospital nurse
You can now send your email address by text message from your cell phone. A regular cell phone will do — no need for a smart phone
The Hudson Valley’s only breast cancer foundation announced today the recipients of $1,000 college scholarships.
Support 3 Fantastic Miles of Hope Volunteers
