One way to donate to a cancer patient’s fundraising account is a charity challenge. How does this type of initiative work, and why social campaigns engage people? This time, we’re focusing on the psychology of helping—did you know that sometimes the desire to support another person is driven by… biology?
Do charity challenges work?
Absolutely! Charity challenges are an effective way to help a patient raise funds for cancer treatment. Such initiatives combine helping others with social interaction and the full range of emotions experienced by event participants. We’ll explain below why these three elements work so well together.
Check out: fundraisers for cancer treatment.
What motivates people to help others?
Altruism is one of the cornerstones of a well-functioning society. Is it always selfless? When we help others, we sacrifice our time, energy, and money. However, in return, we receive personal benefits. It can even be a sense of satisfaction.
Emotions are one of the motivations behind human action. And there’s no shortage of them in charity drives. The sight of a sick person in need of help triggers an emotional response in us: compassion, empathy, and a sense of injustice. These emotions, in turn, serve as an impulse to act—in this case, to help others. Emotions are also a result of the act of helping itself. And this is where biology comes into play.
Why do people donate to fundraisers?
Helping others activates mechanisms in the brain associated with feelings of satisfaction and reward. That is why supporting a charitable initiative is often associated with improved well-being and a sense of fulfillment. By helping others, you not only support them but also build your own self-esteem and a sense of community with people who care about the well-being of others.
Emotions in Charity Fundraisers – The Power of Community
Participating in charity events gives you a sense of belonging to a group and helps build social bonds. You become part of the initiative and meet new people. In turn, when your friends take part in an event, you don’t want to stand passively on the sidelines and just listen to their stories. You’d rather join the group. You share a common goal, which over time will turn into a shared experience that brings the group closer together.
The same is true for charitable activities organized by the company. Such initiatives strengthen bonds among coworkers and foster a positive team atmosphere. They also enhance the company’s image—both in the eyes of its employees and the local community.
How to Engage the Community in Helping Others—The Role of Purpose and Narrative
One way to build donor engagement and increase the effectiveness of a fundraiser or charity challenge is to share your story. There must be a specific personbehind each campaign. This allows donors to form an emotional connection with the patient, and if they have ever faced health issues themselves, to identify with the patient’s story. The goal of the initiative is also important. Specify the exact amount of money you want to raise. Describe what the funds will be used for (diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation). Set a realistic goal for the challenge. If donors see that the goal is achievable, they’ll be more willing to join the campaign.
How to Get the Community Involved in Helping: Social Proof
If you’re wondering how to boost engagement in your fundraiser, the concept of “social proof” in fundraising can help. The principle is simple—we’re more likely to help when we see others doing so. That’s why it’s so important to set up a fundraising counter and keep people updated on the campaign’s progress.
Trust and a sense of security are two of the key factors that a potential donor considers. When a fundraiser or charity challenge is supported by a large group of people or features a well-known figure, we’re more likely to get involved and join the initiative. This signals to us that the campaign is worth our attention.
Check out: How to Help People with Cancer.
Why are people more willing to help when they see someone making an effort?
The visible effort made by the campaign organizer and/or its participants is proof of their commitment to the cause. This commitment is appreciated by donors. They view their financial support for the initiative as a reward for the campaign’s achievements to date and as motivation to continue it. Seeing someone make an effort for a good cause also triggers empathy in us. And as has already been mentioned, nothing is a better incentive to act than emotions.
How does the charity challenge at Cancer Fighters work?
For years, we have been providing the foundation’s beneficiaries, their loved ones, and anyone who wants to support cancer patients with a platform to organize charity events. We are impressed by the creativity in choosing these initiatives, and we are delighted to see them come to fruition and effectively raise funds for patients. Throughout our foundation’s history, charitable challenges have taken many forms. Most often, they involve physical activities, such as a charity run or cycling a set route. Don’t like sports? No worries. That doesn’t exclude you from participating in charitable initiatives. Some people opt for personal challenges or online challenges that a larger group of people can join.
Charity Challenges are a way to help a loved one or those supported by a cancer foundation. You can do your part. You’ll devote your time and energy. In return, you’ll make a real difference in raising funds for a patient’s treatment. You’ll meet people who also care about others. You’ll feel a sense of satisfaction and pride knowing that your involvement is truly helping another person.
If you're planning a charity challenge, please contact us using the form. Tell us about your idea, and we'll see how we can help you with it. To get you started, you'll receive a T-shirt with the foundation's logo so that word of the campaign spreads and helps promote the fundraiser for the patient.
Check out: How to create a charity challenge.
Bibliography
- Adam Hamed, “The Reward System—A Caring Friend or a Secret Enemy?”, farmacjapraktyczna.pl, accessed June 19, 2026.
- Dominika Bulska, “Why Do We Help Others?”, psps.badania.net, accessed June 19, 2026.
- "On the Motivational Determinants of Altruistic Helping" [in:] Ida Kurcz, Danuta Kądzielawa, *Psychology of Action*, 2002, pp. 65–92.
- Ewa Godzińska, “Interpersonal Bonds, Love, Empathy, Altruism: The Neurobiological Roots of Goodness,” [in:] Kosmos. Problems in the Biological Sciences, 2007, vol. 56, no. 1–2 (274–275), pp. 75–85.
