GRANT PARK Bank of America Chicago Marathon Participant Guide CHICAGO, IL

Transcription

1 GRANT PARK Bank of America Chicago Marathon Participant Guide CHICAGO, IL

2 Participant Guide Contents About Van Andel Institute & Purple Community 3 Meet Our Friend Brenda 4 Ways to Join Purple Community Team Hope 6 Purple Community Team Hope Member Benefits 7 Resources to Support Our Runners 8 Fundraising Requirements 9 Registration Steps 10 Contact Information 11

3 About Van Andel Institute & Purple Community Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premiere research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), the research division of VAI, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson s and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute s scientists work in on-site laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Purple Community is Van Andel Institute s grassroots community awareness and fundraising program that connects individuals, schools, teams and businesses to the resources needed to join the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Because of people like you who sign up to raise funds for VAI, thousands of cancer and neurodegenerative disease patients and their families have hope for the future. When you raise funds through Purple Community Team Hope, 100 percent of your donation goes directly to the work being done in our research laboratories and science education programs. You are helping accelerate research and translate discoveries into therapies that will conquer illness and save lives. 3

4 Meet Our Friend Brenda I am not a patient living with Parkinson s or any other devastating disease. I am one of the fortunate ones, truly blessed. My story is that of a caregiver. My husband, Todd, was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson s in 2004 at the age of 41. During those first few years, like so many other Parkinson s patients, his symptoms began with a twitch, followed by involuntary tremors. We found out early on that Parkinson s is often diagnosed through a process of elimination by ruling out other neurological diseases, such as ALS/ Lou Gehrig s disease. 4 Todd s diagnosis was a scary time in our lives. We had a young child. I was in my late 30s and Todd was 41 years young. Initially, we hid the disease from our daughter, our families and our friends. Perhaps our thought process at the time was avoidance and it would go away or so we wished. As hard as it was, we finally accepted the reality of the disease and disclosed it to others. A weight was lifted off our shoulders no more hiding or pretending everything was alright. Due to Todd s love for golf, he immediately went into action and created a nonprofit organization called Making the Turn Against Parkinson s to help raise funds to benefit other local Parkinson s patients. To date, Making the Turn has raised over $125,000 through an annual golf outing that takes place in our hometown of Williamston, Michigan. These funds have been used to subsidize an exercise program designed specifically for Parkinson s patients in partnership with the Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club (MAC) in East Lansing. Making the Turn is also the only nonprofit organization in Michigan granting college scholarships specifically to young adults who have a family member struggling with Parkinson s. So far, Making the Turn has awarded $15,000 to students from families impacted by this disease. (Continued on next page.)

5 Todd s passion for helping others living with Parkinson s to have a better quality of life inspired me to do the same. When I heard about Team Hope through Van Andel Institute (VAI) and their effort to raise money for Parkinson s and cancer research, I knew this would be my new ambition. My passion for running could be used to raise money by being a member of VAI s Team Hope in the 2018 Chicago Marathon. With the support of my sister, Ann Schneider, and great friend, Tammy Anderson, we dedicated the majority of 2018 training in the snow, heat and rain preparing for October 7, 2018 the Chicago Marathon. I found a quote early on in my training that I revisited often during my journey to the marathon. It completely put things into perspective during those long, tiring training runs when my body was pushed to its limits. It reads, I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can t run, what they would give to have this simple gift I take for granted and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me. I m so thankful for the opportunity to have run alongside other VAI Team Hope champions. We truly are a team of hope, connected by our passion to raise money and awareness for others inflicted by a devasting disease. I will never forget my Chicago Marathon experience and the chance to run for others that truly would give anything for this simple gift. Brenda Gardner Meet Our Friend Brenda (continued) 5 Read more about Brenda s story here:

6 Ways to Join Purple Community Team Hope Entry Type Dates Available Required Fundraising Minimum Oct. 23, Nov. 29, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. EST (If you secured your own entry) $1,250 (If you want guaranteed entry) Nov. 29, 2018 at 3 p.m. EST - March 31, 2019 $1,750 (If you secured your own entry) Anytime $500 *We pay the Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration fee which, is set by Bank of America Chicago Marathon at $205 for U.S. Residents and $230 for non-u.s. residents. For more information on the Chicago Marathon Registration process, visit: chicagomarathon.com/participant-information/ general-information/. 6

7 Purple Community Team Member Benefits Purple Community Team Hope Member Benefits A Welcome Kit with official Purple Community Team Hope Tech Shirt, water bottle and more goodies! Complimentary entry into the Consumers Credit Union Purple Community 5K on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Mary Free Bed YMCA in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two complimentary tickets to attend Van Andel Institute s Hope on the Hill Gala on Thursday, Oct. 24, Complimentary Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration. (This year s race fees are $205 for U.S. residents and $230 for residents outside the U.S.) Free Training Program if you commit to the appropriate fundraising minimum. (You will be charged for your training program if you do not meet the fundraising requirements). Team Member Raffles and Contests for fabulous prizes! 7

8 Resources to Support Our Runners Fundraising Contests & Incentives We will have lots of exciting fundraising contests for amazing prizes! Regular s with training tips, important Chicago Marathon information, fundraising tips and general reminders. Closed Facebook Group for Purple Community Team Hope Members to use as a discussion forum. & much more! 8

9 Fundraising Requirements 9 Fundraising Requirements We appreciate your tremendous commitment to not only undertaking the Chicago Marathon, but also taking on the added challenge for raising funds for VAI. When you join Purple Community Team Hope as a marathon participant, you are committing to a fundraising minimum that is set and required by the Chicago Marathon for all nonprofit partners. Fundraising minimums will be charged to the credit card you provide, should you not meet your fundraising minimum by the agreed upon date, in order to keep our nonprofit affiliate status with the Chicago Marathon. Fundraising minimums may not be deferred (i.e. moved to another year or event) or reversed (i.e. changed or canceled). A charity guaranteed entry cannot be deferred. Fundraising Expectations Individuals with a Purple Community Team Hope guaranteed entry who cancel their participation for any reason (i.e. injury, date conflict, move, etc.) are still expected to fundraise.

10 Registration Steps How to Join Purple Community Team Hope 1. Go to: and sign up to be on our team. 2. Read this information guide and agree to fundraise a minimum of $1,250 if registered before Nov. 29, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. EST. (If you do NOT get into the marathon through the drawing and still need an entry after Nov. 29, Team Hope will have FREE guaranteed entries available until March 31, 2019 for a $1,750 fundraising minimum.) 3. Register with Bank of America Chicago Marathon by following Purple Community s unique URL, which will be provided to you after completion of our team application and commitment form. All participants must include a credit card to both Purple Community and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in order to complete registration. Note that Purple Community will waive your registration fee, however, you MUST provide Bank of America with a payment method upon registering. You will not be charged anything, but your information needs to be on record. 4. Submit your application. Purple Community will be notified by Bank of America and approve your registration. You will receive a confirmation . Once your registration application is processed (typically one business day), you will officially secure your spot in the Marathon and on Purple Community Team Hope! 10

11 Questions? Thank you for your interest in joining Purple Community Team Hope for the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon! If you have any questions about information in this guide or about joining Purple Community Team Hope, please contact: Ashley K. Owen Senior Event Coordinator, Purple Community purplecommunity.vai.org/events/chicago-marathon/