Guide for RFA Team Captains
Welcome, Team Captains!
Thank you for participating as a team captain in the 10th Annual Running for Answers 5K!
We want to make being a team captain as easy as possible for you. In this guide, you will find all the essential details you need, from race day info to fundraising tips, to how to recruit for this special race.
Whether you’re a patient, family member, friend, or an advocate of the DTRF mission, we hope that being a part of Running for Answers brings inspiration, excitement and fun to you and everyone you have recruited for your team.
Did you know that the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF) is the only organization in the US dedicated to connecting patients and funding research related to the diagnosis and treatment of desmoid tumors? By participating in this year’s event, you are contributing DTRF’s largest fundraising efforts and helping the Foundation reach its goal of raising $200,000 for desmoid tumor research. Amazing!
To learn more about RFA, please visit runningforanswers.org. If at any time you have additional questions or comments, please contact us at information@runningforanswers.org.
We look forward to seeing you on race day! THANK YOU for your help to making this race a success, and for raising awareness for desmoid tumor research.
Thank you,
The 2019 RFA Committee & DTRF
Race Weekend Events & Details
10th Annual Running for Answers 5K/Kids’ Fun Run
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Registration: 7:00 am
Kids’ Fun Run: 8:00 am
5K Run/ Walk: 8:30 am
Location: Please Touch Museum / Philadelphia, PA
This year, there will not be a brunch event following the race. Instead, we’ll provide special post race treats – something sure to please everyone - at the Running for Answers 5K site.
Patient Meeting – For Patients and Their Families
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: 12- 6pm
Location: DoubleTree Hotel- Philadelphia Center City
Attending the DTRF Patient Meeting gives patients and family members the opportunity to learn about the most current treatment options and research from desmoid tumor experts. Register for this event during your online race registration as a “Patient.” Patients are asked to raise $300 to attend the race and patient meeting.
If you have any questions regarding registration options, please contact Carrie, our registration queen, at information@runningforanswers.org.
Getting Started
Step 1: Register yourself, create a fundraising page and create a team name!
By telling your story and how the desmoid tumors impacts YOU, you are sharing with people the importance of funding research for this disease.
NEXT: Recruit Family, Friends And Coworkers To Run/Walk With You!
Whether you are a patient, know a patient, or just want to get involved, reach out to everyone you know to make race weekend as meaningful as possible! Haven't seen your college friends in ages? This is a great time for a reunion! Someone you know celebrating a birthday or other milestone? What better way to start their best year or decade ever, side-by-side and raising money for a great cause?
Coworkers
Bored with happy hour? Got a fitness contest going on within the office? Get a team of coworkers together and compete for the best race time! Slowest time buys lunch on Monday? Sounds like a good deal! Always check to see if your company will match your team contributions.
Classmates
Is your school or student club looking to help the community? Are you in a fraternity or sorority looking for a charitable cause to adopt? Break up the semester by enjoying a beautiful fall weekend outdoors - maybe even start a 5K training group to off-set that late night pizza!
Company Sponsors
If your company would like to become an official sponsor, let us know! Set up a company team and promote the race among your coworkers and employees. This is a great team building and networking opportunity, as well as a fun and charitable way to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Interest Clubs/ Sports Teams
Are you on a local baseball, basketball or hockey team? Involved in a running, gardening or book club? Great! Ask your team or club if they want to branch out by doubling as a 2016 RFA Team.
Creating impact: Tell the story
Tell your story. Talk about why desmoid tumors have created such an impact on your (or your loved one's) life. Here are just a few blogs of patients who are sharing how this disease has affected them.
Living with a Desmoid Tumor- My Journey
Struggles and Triumphs- My Battle with a Desmoid Tumor
The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation Facebook Page
New Team Member Sign-Ups
When each new Team Member comes on board, send them an email with everything they need to know. An email template is below that you can use. Simply fill in your team-specific information.
**Note: Please note that EACH team member is required to register to run or walk.**
Sample:
Dear (Your Team Name Here) Teammate –
Thank you for joining (Your Team Name Here)! We’re excited to run and walk in Running for Answers together on September 23, 2018 to raise money and awareness for desmoid tumor research. Your participation in the race will help fund the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF), the ONLY organization dedicated solely to desmoid tumor research. DTRF serves as clearinghouse of information, providing hope and inspiration to thousands of desmoid tumor patients and families around the world.
Race sign up is easy! Please go to the race website www.runningforanswers.org and click “Register” to be connected automatically to the FirstGiving.com, where you will sign up and enter your information. You will receive a confirmation email indicating that your personal fundraising page has been set up, including a link that you can send to your supporters.
Then, let your friends, family and co-workers know that you’re running or walking in Running for Answers 2018. Send them an email asking them to support you by donating to our team, copying and pasting the link to your personal fundraising page.
Our goal is to raise $(Your Goal Here) as a team. It’s as simple as a few $10 - $25 donations per team member!
I will be sending an email closer to the event to let you know when and where we will meet on race day, plus any additional details you’ll need. In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions via email or phone at (Your Number Here).
Thanks for your contribution in making this event a success!
With gratitude,
(Your Name Here), RFA Team Captain
How Do I Get My Team Motivated?
Race Day Awards
• RFA 5K Award - Top 3 male and female runners based on their time in the 5K race
• Jeanienne Palmer Memorial Award for Top Female Patient Finisher- Desmoid female patient with the best time in the 5K race
• Spencer Black Memorial Award for Top Male Patient Finisher- Desmoid male patient with the best time in the 5K race
• 5k age group awards
• RFA 2018 Team Fundraising Award - Team with the highest online fundraising amount.
• Angelo Casabianca Team Participation Award - Team with the most team members
• 2018 Richard Firely Sr. Caregiver of the Year Award
Fundraising Your Trip to Philadelphia
Use the links, tools and language below to help you communicate the DTRF cause. Tell all of your team members to do these things too! Together, we can exponentially increase support.
What are desmoid tumors?
Desmoid tumors can affect anyone at any age. Though they don't metastasize, desmoids are locally aggressive and infiltrate and destroy the tissue around them as they grow - causing decreased function, loss of limb and even death. Their high recurrence rate forces many patients to undergo multiple surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, often with little success. There is currently no cure for desmoid tumors.
The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (www.dtrf.org) seeks to advance the science related to desmoid tumors, by:
Hello,
I am writing to ask for your support in helping me raising awareness for the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, a foundation that is devoted solely to funding research for rare, desmoid tumors. I will be participating in the upcoming race, Running for Answers 5K run/walk in September and raising funds to help the cause. Would you be willing to support me in this effort? There are several ways you can help:
Donate to online, in person or through the mail. My online page can be found at: (Your URL Here). You may also donate via a check made out directly to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation.
Thanks you for your support!
With gratitude,
(Your Name Here)
Sample Fun(d)raising Campaigns
Share your story to fundraise for RFA!
Here are 2 fun campaigns that will bring awareness to desmoids and help you raise funds for DTRF!
Crazy Sock Day at Work: Approach your employer about your interest in supporting DTRF by implementing “Crazy Sock Day”, a special day where employees will make a suggested donation (i.e. $5, $10) to wear their crazy socks to work in honor of desmoid tumor awareness.
After the date is chosen, publicize the event in your workplace, sharing information about desmoid tumors and DTRF. Make it clear that funds raised will help fund desmoid tumor research. Collect funds on Crazy Sock Day and put them towards your fundraising campaign!
Per Mile Fitness Campaign: We’re so excited that you’ll be participating in RFA this year! That means that you need to train for race day! Whether that includes regular walks and yoga classes or timed miles, getting ready for race day is an important part of RFA.
Consider using your training to fundraise. Having friends and family sponsor you per mile is a great way to stay motivated, fit AND raise funds for desmoid tumor research.
Decide what your goal looks like for race day. (Will you be running, walking or rolling in a wheelchair with a smile?)
Choose how to measure your training, leading to race day. Do you want friends and family to sponsor you per mile, per block, per step? How much would they pay for each mile, step, etc.?
Record your workouts and collect your sponsorships from friends and family. Share your progress leading to race day, and thank them for their encouragement and support.
