Thanks to all of you who responded to my recent column asking why more people don’t support the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

It used to be a huge event. Communities would get together in a fun way and raise money. But participation has dropped. I couldn’t figure out why. The need still is sure there.

There were a number of responses. Some I will share with you. I’m not printing names because it’s really the ideas that need to be discussed.

I’m hoping the ACS will take these suggestions to heart and do some much-needed public relations changes.

• We left the Arlington relay due to lack of organization and consistency, as well as a lack of enthusiasm and effort made by some of the biggest teams. Each year there were plenty of activities, but the consistency in judging wasn’t there. The morning/afternoon events got most of the attention, and those walking the late-night shifts were not given much encouragement. My mother-in-law joined in the planning and most of her suggestions were ignored. We walked the Sky Valley Relay and found some of these same issues. We decided on the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk instead. I found it difficult to fundraise – possibly because the cost of living or because their money doesn’t go directly to research. • When it comes to cancer, I feel like no matter how much I raise I am making little impact. Cancer is a huge issue, and I’m so small. Instead, I have joined the board of a local nonprofit, Clothes for Kids. As a smaller organization, I can actually see the impact. • The lack of support is because there are so many causes to donate money to – Relay for Life, ALS, my husband does the firefighter stair climb for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, also Go Fund Me fundraisers and many others. People are just donated out. Also they have high overhead and only a certain percentage is going to the cause. People would rather donate to something that they feel their whole dollar is going to, something that stays in their community and something that they can see makes an impact.

•Is 70-80 cents per dollar not enough? The American Cancer Society is the No. 1 volunteer-driven organization and the leader in funding research in the world, second behind only the U.S. government.

•If I had $100 and had to choose between the neighbor whose husband and son just died or donating to the ACS (for what I believe is 60 cents on the dollar, in part because of expenses like paying your CEO $863,304) it would be my neighbor every day.

•I remember the wonderful relays, the great response from folks in towns, city officials, police, fire… Excitement and true determination to find a cure. I now live in Maricopa, AZ. I see the same thing here.

• I’ve participated in the Relay for Life of Sky Valley (Monroe) for about 10 years, and I’ve also noticed a decline in participation. I wonder if the increase in the number of relay events has something to do with it. • I quit supporting the Cancer Society because they had no support for me when I went through cancer – twice. My husband had just died, and a few months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I called the ACS, along with anyplace else that could possibly council me. The ACS was the rudest bunch of people I have every encountered. Susan Koman Foundation actually talked with me and at least made me feel that someone cared. •Relay for Life is made up of hard-working, dedicated and wonderful people. My community raised thousands of dollars over the years. But we found out 38 percent of the money went to research and only 4 percent went to Children’s Childhood Cancer research. Now we raise thousands of dollars to foundations at Children’s Hospital where 100 percent of the money goes toward research.

•I’ve volunteered for the relay since 2013. There have been ups and downs, but my aunt died, along with a 27-year-old friend, so the need is still there.

As you can see, much of ACS’s problem has to do with misinformation and alternative facts. Numbers vary widely, but many people feel ACS does not use enough of the money for research. For this situation to improve, that has to change. The big salaries would need to come from somewhere else, possibly from company sponsorships, rather than the relays. People need to feel like their donations are making a difference. Possibly allowing donations to stay in the area would help, too. If Children’s Hospital can do it, ACS can do it.

As for other charities to donate to, ACS needs to prove dollars given to it are making a difference so donors would be more inspired to help.

Another problem is lack of organization. Participants need to feel appreciated. And if more of the events need to be combined to make them successful so be it.

As for being treated rudely, there is no excuse for that. No one deserves that, but especially people with cancer. Patient service should be No. 1.

Steve Powell is the managing editor of The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times.