Title: American Cancer Society

Name: Robin Doyle, Megan Blanchard, Brandon James, Razaan Mohammad

General Purpose:

To persuade

Specific Purpose:

To persuade our audience to donate or volunteer their time to

support the American Cancer Society.

Time: 16 - 24 minutes
I.

INTRODUCTION

(Attention)
A.

Attention Material/Credibility Material:

1.

Raise your hand if someone you know has had cancer. (Some statistics here).

2.
Sadly, I must admit I am one of those people. In 2007 I was diagnosed with Melanoma
cancer. Currently, there is no cure for melanoma. The recitivism rate for head and neck cancer is high. I
for one would greatly appreciate anything you can do to help cancer patients. Although, I am older than
most of you, I still had not thought about death. My diagnosis forced me to think about what I had done
with my life and if I would not see my children and grandchildren. At the moment, I am in remission but
imagine if you found out today that you were diagnosed. What would you want others to do? I for one
am thankful for anyone who volunteers to help.
B.

Thesis and Preview:

1.
Thesis Statement The need to find a cure and provide help to fight cancer needs your help.
Cancer is now the number two killer, just behind heart disease. Brandon will share more detail about
the need later in this presentation.
2.
Today, first will talk to you about the need for volunteers and donations to fight cancer. Second,
Megan will share with you some solutions that you can do to help fight the disease. Lastly, Razaan will
help you visualize what your efforts will do for those suffering.
[Transition into body of speech: Now, Brandon will share with you the growing need for you help to
fight cancer.]
II.

BODY

(Need)
A.

Main Point # 1- Everyday people in America are being diagnosed with Cancer.

1.
Statement of Need for Action: The problem is that the percent of cancer related deaths has
increased overtime.
a.

Description of Problem: The need for more awareness and research funds.

b.
Signs, Symptoms, Effects of Problem: Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with Cancer.
(Use chart to show the number of people in each state diagnosed)
i.117,580 are diagnosed each year in Florida with Cancer.
ii.1.6 million People are diagnosed in the entire United States each year.
c.
Example, Narrative or Testimony: Rita Gore was a high school math teacher who always did her
yearly exam and discovered she had breast cancer. An aggressive treatment was formed but the main
point in her survival was early diagnosis. She now advocates for yearly checkups
2.

Importance of Problem: Cancer awareness is very important.

a.

Extent of Problem: The survival rate of cancer victims has decreased.

b.

Facts/Statistics: 19.2 percent mortality rate to 23.3 percent mortality rate.

This number affects everyone. Male, Female and all races. Women than 45 have an increased men.
c.
Who is Affected: The following survivors story titled Alijahs Story demonstrates that cancer
affects everyone regardless of age.
[Transition into body of speech: As Brandon has stated above, there is a great need for people like you
to donate your money or time to the American Cancer Society. If you are considering donating to the
American Cancer Society a question you may be asking is, how and when can I donate? Let me tell
you.]
(Satisfaction)
B.
Main Point # 2- Present Solution that Satisfies Need: This is how you go about donating your
time or money to the American Cancer Society.
1.

Description of Solution: Discuss with your friends and family about your decision to donate.

a.
How Solution Satisfies Need: Your friends and family can be involved in donating to the
American Cancer Society with you.
b.
How Solution can be Implemented: If your friends and family are not involved in this
process along side of you there is a better chance that you will not donate.
2.

Plan of Action: Do your research. Find out if you would like to donate your time or your money.

a.
Step 1 of Plan: If donating time, you can donate by participating in events that the American
Cancer Society organizes. These events will differ depending on city and state. Pensacola offers events
such as, Making Strides against Breast Cancer, Relay for Life, DetermiNation, and other patient service
programs. If donating money, you can simply donate by phone, mail, or online at ACS.org
b.
Step 2 of Plan: Once you have decided where and how you would like to donate to the American
Cancer Society, sign up for the event of your choice. If donating money, sign a pledge of a monthly,
yearly, or one time dollar amount.

[Transition: As you can see, whether you donate by your time or money, donating is not hard to do. If
donating your time, donations are not only beneficial but can also be fun for you and your friends and
family who are participating. If donating money, you are less involved but your pledge still goes to a
great cause and does not go unnoticed. Signing up for an event or pledging money for the American
Cancer Society is a way that you can make a huge difference for people in your community and
around the world.]
(Visualization)
C.
Main Point #3- Visualize Results: Donating your resources can have a positive affect on families
of loved ones in need.
1.
Describe Expected Results of Action: Whenever you donate your resources, such as time or
money, to those affected by cancer, you are not only impacting their lives, but their families as well. On
Friday, 5 year old, Miles Scott, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just 20 months old,
transformed San-Francisco in Gotham City as Batkid, to help fight crime with the help of the Make-AWish Foundation. With the help of volunteers, businesses, the police department, and even the citys
mayor, they all pitched in to make the adventure as realistic as possible.
2.
Describe Consequences of Inaction: Lots of people think about donating their time or money
to the American Cancer Society but usually end up putting the idea on the back burner. It is up to you to
put those thoughts into action and act now. Talk to your family and friends about getting out there and
getting involved with you. Once you convince yourself, its simple to convince the ones you love in
giving a helping hand to those in need
III.

CONCLUSION:

[Transition: As you can easily see...]

(Action)
A.
Brakelight: As you can easily see, volunteering to help or donate can be one of the most
important decisions you ever make and also the greatest gift you could ever give. The alarming rate of
growth of cancer in the US and internationally is at a tipping point.
B.
Summary: Brandon told you about the need across the US, how you can become volunteer for
the American Cancer Society. You can decide to volunteer to participate in any of the events that raise
funds for American Cancer Society which only involves your time. You might volunteer to participate by
providing transportation for someone who cannot drive to their appointments or
treatments. Furthermore, you could volunteer to man a phone line to provide support for those
suffering with the disease, whether its the person suffering or a family member who needs a caring ear.
C.
Tie Back to the Audience: What if a person you know and love was diagnosed with cancer. In my
case, my father-in-law passed this year and his smile and wisdom is missed. Imagine if it was your
father, brother, sister or dear loved one think of the comfort your time volunteering would provide for
your family
D.

Concluding Remarks:

CALL TO ACTION: " Please give the gift of volunteering your time or funds to help give someone another
birthday."