3 Ways Your Gym Club Can Participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month
You’re probably noticing the pink ribbons that pop up every October to signify Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A myriad of companies find a way to get on board with this public health campaign, temporarily incorporating the message into their own brand while turning it into a marketing opportunity at the same time. You may be wondering if this is something you could do for your gym club.
The answer is yes. It offers a great way to give back, to provide a togetherness activity to your members and staff, and to potentially recruit new members through visibility. Here are three ways your gym can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
1. Create a Team for a Breast Cancer Walk/Run
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is filled with charitable walk/run events that raise money for the cause while creating awareness and community. This type of event is the perfect match for a fitness-oriented business like yours.
While there are different organizations to participate with, one way is through the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Normally, this movement features large walks or runs that bring together the community, but due to COVID-19, this year they are encouraging people to host small teams and have a socially distanced walk/run. Another well-known one is Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
A breast cancer awareness walk/run could be a great opportunity for your gym. Invite your members, staff and social media followers to participate in your own event. You can create awareness for the event and your brand by telling the community about your event and asking for fundraising donations through social media and localized marketing methods.
2. Sponsor an Event
Your business could sponsor a local breast cancer awareness event. Sponsorship provides a way to give back to the cause, with the benefit of getting your business name presented to the community through event materials.
Look for an event in your area and see if there is a way to become a sponsor. Generally, there are different ways for businesses to support this type of event, so you could find one that fits your budget and preferences. For example, you may be able to choose from one of the following:
- provide hosting for the event
- offer free giveaways of coupons or items for the organizers to add to grab bags
- give a monetary donation
3: Create Themed Giveaways
This month is a perfect opportunity for creating pink awareness giveaways that include your brand name and/or logo. Consider the ways you’ll want to distribute them when you create the giveaways. For example, you could create inexpensive, plentiful ones (like silicone bracelets, pens or keychains) that you’ll freely pass out as gym promotions or nicer, pricier ones (like t-shirts, backpacks or water bottles) as more special gifts. Or you could have a combination of the two.
Once you have your giveaways, there are many ways you can use them. Here are some ideas:
- Set up a table at a local awareness event and distribute your branded giveaways
- Use them as gifts for members and staff
- Provide them as sponsor grab bag items for an event
- Make them gifts included with certain purchases at your gym
- Designate them as incentives in return for action like a member bringing a friend to the gym or a new person trying out the gym with a free pass (“Use your free pass in October and receive a free…”)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides a perfect way for your gym club to get involved with a charitable cause and come together as a community. Plus, you gain benefits to your business at the same time. It’s a win-win.
