Q: The Breast Cancer Society called me for a donation. Since I am a breast cancer survivor, I pledged $20. The caller then asked for my credit card information. I declined, and in the meantime, I’ve heard that this organization is a scam, so I threw away the envelope. Can you find anything about the Breast Cancer Society?
—Theda Davis, Lilburn
A: The Better Business Bureau warned potential donors in 2011 that the Breast Cancer Society "uses most of its cash to pay professional fundraisers' fees, employee salaries and other administrative costs." The BBB stated at the Breast Cancer Society spent 85 cents of every donated dollar to pay fundraising costs in 2010, "with less than a nickel going directly to benefit cancer patients and their families." CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" reported earlier this year that the "Breast Cancer Society took in $13 million in 2011, and according to its own tax filings, just 2.4 (percent) of that money went to cancer patients." According to its 2011 annual report, the Breast Cancer Society had $52 million in total revenue in 2010, 75.7 percent of which went to program services, 22.8 percent went to fundraising and 1.5 percent went to management and administrative costs. Cancer Fund of America, the Breast Cancer Society's parent organization, was named one of the worst charities in America by the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times in a June article.
Q: When a NFL player is placed on injured reserve, does he get his full pay and allowed to attend team functions?
—David Stone, Powder Springs
A: NFL players on injured reserve are paid according to the terms of their contract and can attend team functions. Many work out, rehabilitate and attend meetings at team facilities until they are healthy.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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