Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, alongside the Federal Trade Commission and nine other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women’s Cancer Fund, and its operator, Gregory B. Anderson. The complaint alleges that the sham charity deceived donors by claiming to support women battling cancer and their families financially, while in reality, only a small fraction of the donations went towards this cause.
Miyares expressed his disappointment in the situation, stating, "Virginians are generous people. Unfortunately, there are bad actors who take advantage of hardworking Virginians' generosity." He emphasized the importance of holding organizations like the Women’s Cancer Fund accountable for their deceptive practices.
The complaint reveals that between 2017 and 2022, Women’s Cancer Fund collected over $18 million from donors but only allocated about 1% of that amount towards financial support for cancer patients. The majority of the funds were directed towards paying for-profit fundraisers and Anderson himself, the operator of the charity.
Fundraisers for Women’s Cancer Fund allegedly misled donors by promising that their contributions would directly help cancer patients with basic living expenses. However, the charity's tax filings tell a different story, with minimal financial support actually reaching those in need. Anderson received a substantial salary from the donations, along with funds for personal expenses such as hotels and travel.
The complaint also highlights deceptive solicitation tactics employed by Women’s Cancer Fund, including misleading phone calls and letters signed by Anderson. Despite previous legal actions against fundraising companies associated with the charity, Anderson continued to engage other fundraisers to make similar deceptive claims on behalf of the organization.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and state consumer protection laws by Women’s Cancer Fund and Anderson. Attorney General Miyares was supported in this legal action by the FTC and several other states' attorneys general and secretaries of state.
Consumers seeking information on safe donation practices and avoiding charity scams can visit the FTC’s website. For Virginians interested in consumer protection resources, tips, and reporting consumer matters, they can access the Office of the Attorney General’s website.
The legal actions taken against the Women’s Cancer Fund and its operator serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable organizations, ensuring that donations truly benefit those in need.