A growing number of couples are forgoing the traditional wedding favors and instead making a donation to the American Cancer Society, often in honor of a loved. A handsome scroll explaining the donation is put on the table in place of matches or printed napkins.

These meaningful favors are also becoming popular at events celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, christenings, graduations, and showers.

The message can also be printed on tent fold cards, bookmarks, and tags, in addition to paper scrolls, all available in many different colors. Couples decide the wording they want printed on them, and there are a dozen typefaces from which to choose. A typical message says that a donation has been made in the guests; honor to the American Cancer Society, in memory of a loved one or in honor of a cancer survivor. The couple's names and their wedding date appear at the bottom. Most couples roll up the scrolls and tie a pretty ribbon around them.

The American Cancer Society does the printing and cutting.

If you are interested in learning more about the favors visit our Web site, where you can read samples and view colors and fonts.

If you have further questions, call Nancy Dest at 1-800-952-7664, ext. 4630, or Michael Corrigan at 1-800-952-7664, ext. 4635, in the New England Division’s Framingham, MA, office. Or, email us at nefavors@cancer.org.

Once an inquiry is made, a sample package is mailed out. Orders are mailed 48 hours after being received.

There is no minimum donation required. And, couples often are able to double their donation to the American Cancer Society through a matching gift from their employers.

Good luck planning your event. We would be honored to be a part of it.