Press Release:

SmallCanBeBig.org Announces New Partnership with the Family Reach Foundation

Online Venture Well on Its Way to Helping 100 Local Families in Need

Waltham, MA 6/03/2009 - When Paula C was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer two years ago, she left her job as a teacher to undergo surgery and treatment under the assumption her husband Jon's job would see this family of four through a rough patch. But soon after her cancer went into remission, her husband lost his job like so many others. Paula went back to teaching this past September only to discover that her cancer was back and that she would have to go back into treatment immediately. With no income and mounting medical bills, it seemed life for this family couldn't get much tougher—until Jon was diagnosed with throat cancer.

Now in treatment together but still out of work, the Cs have exhausted their savings and are unable to make their mortgage payment. With no assistance in sight, one more family was in danger of becoming another statistic. That is until the Family Reach Foundation recommended them to the new online micro-charity SmallCanBeBig.org.

SmallCanBeBig.org was launched in January 2009 as a new way to use the Internet to harness the power of small donations. It is unique in that it's local, it's direct and 100% of every donation goes immediately to address a specific expense or urgent bill like rent, utility or medical expenses. Donations provide the specific help necessary to get families back on track, so donors know exactly how their donations make a difference.

The Cs' story, now posted on the SmallCanBeBig.org's website, is counting on the kindness and generosity of complete strangers to raise the necessary funds for their specific one-time need. And if past success stories on SmallCanBeBig.org are any indication of the Cs' chances, rent should be the least of their worries. Since the site's launch in mid-January, almost 600 donors from 38 states have raised close to $70,000. Thirty-nine Massachusetts families—including more than 80 children—have been helped.

This new partnership with SmallCanBeBig.org gives Family Reach Foundation yet another resource in securing funding for these families. Dedicated to providing financial relief and heartfelt support to families fighting pediatric cancers and other life-threatening diseases, Family Reach Foundation joins 10 other charities on SmallCanBeBig.

"Partnering with Small Can Be Big to help families fighting cancer is a true pleasure for us," says Rick Morello, President and Executive Director of Family Reach Foundation. "The unique Small Can Be Big model allows generous people to find families with urgent needs and help them in a matter of seconds. Our missions are closely aligned and we are excited about joining forces."

Press Contact

Amanda Zarle
SmallCanBeBig.org
P: 781-663-6600
F: 781-663-6601
media@smallcanbebig.org

Partner Charities Include:

St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center, Homes for Families, HomeStart, The Family-to-Family Project, Wellspring House, Father Bill’s and MainSpring, Travelers Aid Family Services, Project Hope, Crossroads Family Shelter, Brookview House, Family Reach.

About SmallCanBeBig.org

SmallCanBeBig.org is the latest venture in online charitable giving started by Boathouse Group, Inc. The organization was founded in November 2008 and provides a new way for people to directly help local families on the edge by using the Internet to harness the power of small donations.

About Boathouse Group, Inc.

Boathouse is redefining “creativity” online and off, and in so doing, creates communications, campaigns, companies, and in this case, a charitable giving site. Its clients include Merrill Lynch, TomTom, Caritas Christi and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and its President is John Connors.

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