2013 ING NYC MARATHON
PARTICIPANT GUIDE
Race to Stop MS
WELCOME TO THE RACE TO STOP MS PROGRAM! Thank you for accepting the endurance challenge of a 26.2 mile run, as well as the fundraising challenge of raising critical funds for the National MS Society. The fundraising you do will support the National MS Society’s goal to: STOP the progression of MS in its tracks; RESTORE function that has been lost and END the disease forever. Funds also support vital programs and services for the 10,000 people living with MS in the areas that the New York City – Southern New York Chapter serves. Thank you for joining us as we move closer to creating a world free of MS.
How does the Race to Stop MS – ING NYC Marathon program work? You have been accepted into the Race to Stop MS program as either a full team member or a supporter team member. All full team members are required to raise a minimum of $4,000 to participate and receive one of our guaranteed entry spots into the race. All supporter team members should have secured a spot in the race on their own and are required to raise $1,500 in order to receive all of the team perks.
As a Race to Stop MS ING NYC Marathon team member, you are entitled to the following benefits: • • • • • • •
Guaranteed entry into the 2013 ING New York City Marathon* An in-training T-shirt A personal fundraising Web page and use of our online fundraising tools A personal fundraising coach (Society staff member) A Race to Stop MS personalized race day running singlet Invitations to team social events, including the team pasta party the Friday before the race Weekly training in New York City and/or weekly online training
* Supporter team members have secured their own entry into the ING NYC Marathon.
Save the Dates: • August 30: 25% Fundraising Deadline ($1,000 for full team members and $375 for supporters) • August 30: Fundraising Day #1 • September 27: 50% Fundraising Deadline ($2,000 for full team members and $750 for supporters). • September 27: Fundraising Day #2 • October 10: Team Happy Hour and jersey pick up • October 18: 75% Fundraising Deadline ($3,000 for full team members and $1,125 for supporters) • October 18: Fundraising Day #3 • November 1: 100% Fundraising Deadline and Fundraising Day #4 ($4,000 for full team members and $1,500 for supporters) • November 1: Team pasta party • November 3: 2013 ING NYC Marathon • December 13: Final fundraising deadline for Top Fundraiser eligibility
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: Fundraising ...........................................................3 Using Your Participant Center ............................6 Top Fundraisers ...................................................8 Training .................................................................8 Cheering Station ...................................................9 Where My Fundraising Dollars Go ..................10 FAQ’s ...................................................................11 About Multiple Sclerosis ...................................12
JENNIFER PEVEC
THANK YOU FOR RUNNING Read a personal story from one of our past Race to Stop MS marathon team members living with MS:
When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I could barely walk. The cruel irony is that my once powerful legs carried me through three half and two full marathons in 2004. A year later, I had to quit a career I loved in Marketing Communications. Running was out of the question. I could barely get around my own home or properly care for my two young children. The prognosis was not good. In those early years, I was in a lot of pain and was experiencing relapse after relapse. What started as pain and weakness in my right leg, now affected all four limbs and the fatigue was debilitating. I was told that due to the length and severity of my symptoms I would likely never run again. Obviously, my neurologist was not a runner and did not fully understand just how tough (stubborn?) us runners can be! In late 2007, I tried a new aggressive treatment aimed at reducing the number of relapses and slowing disease progression. It took some time but it really helped me regain some of what I had lost. In 2009, with the help of special carbon fiber leg braces, I started running again. I even qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2011 as a mobility impaired athlete. Unfortunately my MS flared up a few weeks prior to the race leaving me unable to run for much of that year. As you can imagine, I was devastated. But I suppose it just made me appreciate the experience that much more when I was able to run it in 2012 with my husband at my side as my guide. I raised more than $12,500 as part of the Race to Stop MS 2012 ING NYC Marathon team and am extremely grateful that I will get to run in the 2013 NYC Marathon as a Team Supporter. It will be my 9th marathon and I fully intend to savor every moment (no matter how painful!) I understand the people of New York put on an incredible show and after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation last year, it promises to be a very powerful experience. I try not to focus on what MS has taken away from me (or might one day take.) Instead, I try to focus on what it has given me. I am especially grateful to all the people that helped me through some challenging times - my husband, my two beautiful kids, my mom and my family and friends. And I am touched by the kindness and support of so many others who generously supported our cause. Since 2005, we have raised more than $75,000 for MS research. We will continue to do what we can to promote awareness for this disease and raise money for even better treatment options and hopefully soon, a cure! Jennifer Pevec 2012 Race to Stop MS team member and 2013 Supporter team member
Share your story and tell us why you Race to Stop MS. Email raceMS@msnyc.org today! Email:raceMS@msnyc.org | Call: 212-463-9791 | raceMSnyc.org | 2
MENTOR PROGRAM Is this your first marathon or your first time fundraising for an endurance event? We have mentors available who are Race to Stop MS team alumni and are experts in the field of training for marathons and fundraising! Contact Nicole Cannizzaro at nicole.cannizzaro@nmss.org if you would like to be set up with a mentor.
FUNDRAISING 101 Have FUN with FUNdraising! Five easy steps to get you started: 1. BE BOLD – aim high when you set your goal. Don’t forget about our Top Fundraiser level for all individuals who raise $7,500 or more. Top Fundraisers receive an embroidered track jacket and other great perks. Update your goal in your Participant Center so it is proudly displayed on your fundraising website and share your goal when asking your friends and family for support. When you surpass your goal, be sure to update your page with a new one! 2. BE THE FIRST – start your fundraising off with a bang by making a personal donation toward your fundraising goal. Others will be more inclined to give if they see you have made a donation yourself. 3. BE PERSONAL – share your story with your donors. Tell everyone you know you are running in the NYC Marathon with the Race to Stop MS team and tell them 4. KEEP IT SIMPLE – go online and use the set of easy-to-use online fundraising tools right at your fingertips called your Participant Center! You can set up a personal Web page, send out emails, and track your progress. Go to www.raceMSnyc.org to log in to your Participant Center and get started now! 5. BE CREATIVE – we have all kinds of innovative fundraising ideas and tips to help get you started. Some ideas are listed in this guide and you can find 100s more at www.raceMSnyc.org. If you would like to meet with a Society staff member to discuss your fundraising plan and gain more resources, contact Nicole Cannizzaro at nicole.cannizzaro@nmss.org or call 212-453-3262.
Be RESOURCEFUL: • Use Facebook and other social media outlets:
o Our Boundless Fundraising tool allows you to use Facebook as an easy and fun way to raise money and awareness among all your friends. You can upload the tool to your Facebook account through your online Participant Center.
• Get your company involved:
o See if your company has a Matching Gift Program (see Matching Gift Program section on page 5 )
o Ask your boss if he or she would be willing to grant anyone who gives a donation a “dress down” day at the office.
o Ask if you can change your voicemail or email signature to include a URL/link for people to donate.
o Ask for permission to put a poster and a collection jar in the break room. We can create a custom poster for your fundraising efforts. Just ask!
• Hold a raffle – ask people to make a donation to your Race to Stop MS fundraising to receive a ticket for a drawing and ask a local retailer to donate a prize that the winner will receive. • Offer to do something unusual or embarrassing that you know your friends would love to see if you raise a specific amount – like wear an orange tutu while running the marathon!
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• The best tip we can give is to BE BOLD in your asking:
o Don’t be afraid to share your story and make your fundraising personal. Tell your friends and family why you are passionate – whether it is the excitement of the challenge of participating in a triathlon or if it is a personal connection to the Society’s mission to help create a world free of MS.
o Stick to traditional methods of in-person asks, letter writing and emails. Sometimes these are the best methods.
Plan your own fundraising event: Whether it’s a dinner party at your home, a garage sale, a karaoke night or a bowling tournament, planning an event is a great way to raise proceeds to benefit your fundraising goal. Ideas include: • Exercise for a Cure: Ask a local gym if they would be willing to teach a Zumba or yoga class for free and invite friends, family and community members to participate for a set donation fee. • “A Night Out”: Partner with a local bar or restaurant for a fundraising night and ask if they would be willing to donate a percentage of one night’s profits to benefit your fundraising efforts. In exchange, you help promote the local business by inviting all your friends and family! The business may even be willing to put out MS information or brochures on the tables to help raise awareness AND money. • Bake Sales/Garage Sales: Ask neighbors to donate gently used goods or baked goods that you can sell at your home or a community event.
The New York City – Southern New York Chapter can support your event in the following ways: • Provide you with a list of recommendations of local bars and restaurants to use for an event. • Provide you with literature about multiple sclerosis and the National MS Society. • Provide you with the Race to Stop MS logo (the chapter must approve use of the logo on materials in advance). • Society staff members may be available to attend your event to speak about the National MS Society.
Email:raceMS@msnyc.org | Call: 212-463-9791 | raceMSnyc.org | 4
Matching Gifts: You can drastically increase your fundraising total by having your donors apply for matching gifts! Many companies have matching employer gifts and volunteer incentive programs to maximize their financial contributions to non-profit organizations. This means they will match their employees’ donations to non-profits, increase your fundraising total and bring us closer to a world free of MS. Check for eligibility by visiting www.nationalmssociety.org/employermatch to look up your employer. How it works: • Send an email to your donors explaining the benefits of Matching Employer Gifts and let them know they can access an employer lookup at www.nationalmssociety.org/employermatch • Follow the procedure outlined by your company’s matching gift program. Printed materials may be mailed to: National MS Society Attn: Race to Stop MS Matching Gifts 733 Third Ave., Third Floor
New York, NY 10017
• Our staff will send confirmation to the donor’s company. Upon receipt of the matching employer gifts check, we will credit your Race to Stop MS fundraising efforts with the amount. While this process may take up to several months, if we have received the matching gift paperwork by the final fundraising deadline of December 13, 2013, we will include the pending donation in your Race to Stop MS fundraising total.
Mobile Fundraising
Fundraise on the go with our Race to Stop MS mobile application. Update your Web pages, send emails and track your progress - all from the palm of your hand! Mobile applications for iPhones and Droids and are available to all registered Race to Stop MS participants.
How It Works: 1. Search MS NYC SNY in either the iTunes App Store or Droid Market. 2. Download the mobile application to your phone as you would any other app. 3. Log in with the same username and password that you use online at www.raceMSnyc.org. If you do not know your username and/or password contact us at raceMS@msnyc.org or 212-463-9791. 4. Use the app to email, view your donors, update your fundraising page, get updated event information, share your fundraising progress on Facebook and to check the status of your personal fundraising.
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YOUR PARTICIPANT CENTER HOW-TO GUIDE Utilizing the online fundraising tools available in your Participant Center is the fastest and easiest way to jumpstart your fundraising.
ACCESSING MY PARTICIPANT CENTER • Step 1: Go to raceMSnyc.org and select ‘My Participant Center’. • Step 2: Enter your username and password to access your Participant Center.
Customize your personal web page with personal messages and photos Keep track of your personal fundraising and update your goal Send emails to your contacts – you can use the template messages already created or personalize your own
Upload contacts to your address book to be able to email them all at once
Fundraise with Facebook App
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IMPORTANT FUNDRAISING DAYS August 30: Fundraising Day #1
November 1: Fundraising Day #4
September 27: Fundraising Day #2
December 13: Fundraising Deadline
October 18: Fundraising Day #3
FUNDRAISING DAYS Throughout the weeks leading up to the Marathon, we will be hosting various Fundraising Days, offering fundraising tips, encouragement and fundraising challenges that give you a chance to win great prizes! You will receive email notifications announcing the Fundraising Day challenges and prizes associated with them.
FUNDRAISING DEADLINE December 13, 2013 The total you have raised by the Fundraising Deadline is used to rank all individuals and team fundraising efforts. You can still continue fundraising towards your personal goals.
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BECOME A RACE TO STOP MS TOP FUNDRAISER!
RAISE $7,500 OR MORE AND BECOME ONE OF OUR ELITE TOP FUNDRAISERS!
Benefits of being a Race to Stop MS Top Fundraiser include: • Race to Stop MS Top Fundraiser commemorative wearable item embroidered with our Race to Stop MS logo. • The opportunity to register and participate in one of our other signature events (Bike MS or Climb to the Top) with no registration fee or minimum fundraising requirement.
TRAINING INFORMATION
Race to Stop MS has teamed up with JackRabbit Sports to provide a training program for Race to Stop MS NYC Marathon participants. Training classes are held every Tuesday evening and Saturday morning beginning July 16 at Central Park. What’s included in the program: • Twice weekly coached sessions • Bag Watch for all workouts • In-between class “homework” and suggested workouts • JackRabbit Sports training program technical T-shirt • 24/7 online coach support and guidance • Team Night at JackRabbit Sports with a special 15% discount • 10% off all in-store JackRabbit Sports merchandise • Race day preparation so that all questions are addressed For participants who are unable to commit to the in-person training program, there is also a virtual training option. Contact Jenny You at jenny.you@nmss.org or call 212-453-3228 to register for the training program.
Training tips: • Don’t over-train: over-training is one of the surest paths to injury, in which case you won’t even make it to the starting line. It’s much better to be slightly under-trained. • Increase mileage slowly: there is a natural progression to building the endurance and strength it takes to complete 26.2 miles. Going from a seven mile run one week to a 10 mile run the next week will only do harm, and again, is inviting injury. There’s a suggested “10% Rule” which says that you should increase your weekly long run by no more than 10%. • Recover: there’s no need to train hard five, six or seven days a week. When you have a hard training day, ease up the following day or take a break altogether. Recovery and plenty of rest are essential to progress and remaining injury free. • Practice nutrition: you’re increasing your level of exertion and consequently you should be prepared to increase your caloric intake. You will need to take in some nutrition on race day and you should use your long runs as a testing ground for what type of nutrition and hydration work best for you. Keep a nutrition journal in addition to a running journal. This way you will be aware of your nutritional needs prior to race day.
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CHEERING STATIONS AND CHEER KITS We want you to feel the love on race day so our staff will be stationed at our Race to Stop MS cheer station along the route to yell and scream and encourage you to keep going! We welcome and encourage your friends and family members to join us. We will also create Race to Stop MS Cheer Kits — noise makers, pom-poms, etc. — for them to use. You can pick the kit up at the pasta party on the Friday before race day.
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WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t by helping each person address the challenges of living with MS. The funds you raise enable us to provide vital programs and services for people living with multiple sclerosis, and fund research initiatives for the cause, treatment and cure.
Here are a few examples of what your donations can do: Programs and Services: $1,500 will cover the cost of a scooter for someone living with MS. $2,500 will provide 150 hours of homecare assistance $3,750 will provide three sessions of rehabilitation therapy for 15 people
Research: The National MS Society has declared that NOW is the time to take action and that when it comes to a world free of MS, enough is not enough. Only all is enough! We have embarked on a $250 million dollar research revolution called the NOW national campaign ( No Opportunity will be Wasted.) Through the NOW campaign we will: STOP the progression of MS in its tracks; RESTORE function that has been lost; and END the disease forever. With your participation and support in Race to Stop MS, we can make a bold commitment to do more NOW.
Early and ongoing treatment with FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your healthcare professional and contacting the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 (1-800-FIGHT-MS).
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Is there a minimum fundraising requirement? Yes. Team members who were accepted via application process and desire entry to the race are required to raise $4,000. Supporter team members are required to raise $1,500 to be eligible for team benefits. Where do I send my donations? Please forward your donations in the form of check or money order (no cash please)to: National MS Society Attn: Race to Stop MS 733 Third Ave., Third Floor New York, NY 10017 Please write your name and account number in the memo section of the check. Who do I make checks payable to? Make checks payable to Race to Stop MS. Also remember to include your name and account number in the memo section of each check. How long does it take for checks to show up in My Participant Center? It depends how many checks the office receives and how close it is to the event. Checks that are mailed prior to the event can take two to four weeks to show up on your account. To avoid the wait, always encourage your donors to sponsor you online. Online donations are safe and easy. What is My Participant Center? Every Race to Stop MS participant receives an online fundraising account that is accessed through the Participant Center. Online fundraising accounts enable participants to create personal web pages, provide email tools to solicit donations and have reports to track your fundraising.
What if my company wants to match my donations? To take part in the Matching Gifts Program, you can visit www.nationalmssociety.org/employermatch to look up your employer and their Matching Gift forms or contact your Human Resources Department and ask for a Matching Gift form or instructions on how to submit the matching gift online. Make sure you include your name so we can apply the match correctly. Please include a printout of the online donation or a copy of the check if possible. Send the completed form to: National MS Society Attn: Race to Stop MS 733 Third Ave., Third Floor New York, NY 10017 Are donations tax deductible and how do I get a receipt? Yes. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your cleared check or credit card transaction serves as a receipt. Donors giving $250 or more will automatically receive an acknowledgement from the National MS Society by the end of the calendar year in which the donation was made. Receipts are also available for the donor upon request. Contact us at raceMS@msnyc.org or call 212-463-9791 for assistance.
If you still can’t find the answer to your question after reviewing the above information, please feel free to contact our office at raceMS@msnyc.org or call 212-463-9791.
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ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects over 2.1 million worldwide.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK CITY – SOUTHERN NEW YORK CHAPTER The New York City – Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society is committed to helping the 10,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the five boroughs and Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties continue moving their lives forward. The chapter raises funds locally to support the Society’s critical research initiatives and to provide hundreds of comprehensive support services and educational programs for people living with MS, their family and friends. For more information, visit www.MSnyc.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY The Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world and provides programs and services designed to help people living with MS and their families move forward with their lives. In 2012 alone, through its national office and 50-state network of chapters, the Society devoted $121.9 million to its programs and services that assisted more than one million people. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $43.3 million to support over 350 new and on-going research projects around the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at www.nationalMS society.org.
Email:raceMS@msnyc.org | Call: 212-463-9791 | raceMSnyc.org | 12
UPCOMING EVENTS
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September 7-8, 2013 .
MSchallengewalkcapecod.org
October 6, 2013
www.bikeMSnyc.org
Climb to the Top presented by:
March 2, 2014
www.climbMSnyc.org
April 26 & 27 2014 www.walkMSnyc.org
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733 Third Ave., Third Floor New York, NY 10017