Cancer Float Ideas

• Cancer awareness focuses on creating more and more survivors. AE Pictures Inc./Lifesize/Getty Images

  A parade float entrances the crowd, bringing back exciting and traditional images of Americana while giving a resting place to those who would otherwise march in a parade. But that's not all -- your parade float can also carry a message. You can determine how to design your parade float to bring awareness to cancer by choosing the message you want to carry to your audience.

Breast Cancer Awareness Float

• Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of cancer awareness, the pink ribbon can transform from a small clothing item to the construction of your float. The riders on the float can wear pink ribbon crowns or even full pink-ribbon suits. Throw pink beads out of the float with pink ribbons attached to them. At the highest point on the float, a person can shout (through a bullhorn) facts about breast cancer. For any other type of cancer awareness, use the appropriate color, such as orange for leukemia awareness, according to Personalized Cause.

  For a Christian organization that promotes breast cancer awareness, you can turn the float ribbon sideways to look like an ichthys ("Christ fish").

Survivor Float

• For a survivor float, focus your ideas on showing the strength of survivors. Build the float using images of strength, such as a flexed arm. You can invite cancer survivors to ride on the float and receive cheers from the audience. Families of survivors can march in front of the float carrying banners or signs that have messages such as, "Thanks for saving my mommy" or "Your donations rescued my dad."

  Instead of bringing down an audience with the more emotionally wrenching facts about cancer, show your audience through pamphlets the different ways that their donation money has given people with cancer the will and ability to survive. Maybe in this way, your audience will be inspired to continue -- or even begin -- their donations.

Donation Float

• A float does not only bring awareness; a successful float can bring donations into your favorite cancer charity or cause. So, to raise money at the event, create a "donation float." Decorate your float according to your cause (a brain for brain cancer, an orange ribbon for leukemia or clowns and childlike images for childhood cancer). About 20 yards before the float, a group of people hold a sign saying, "Donations received, 20 yards." A group of collectors walk beside the float, carrying hats in which to collect cash or check donations.