2015 Annual Report Run For The Stripes

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1 2015 Annual Report Run For The Stripes Mission: Run For The Stripes, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. Run For The Stripes 5K run/walk is held on an annual basis to raise awareness and funds for research for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cancers. The Run For The Stripes 5K is held on the Saturday nearest November 10, which is National Neuroendocrine Awareness Day. The run takes place at the Philadelphia Zoo in order to be in the same community as the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, which has an established program for treating NET Cancers. The 5K run/walk offers an event for patients, family, medical staff and the general public. A message from the president: I am very much looking forward to this year s Run For The Stripes 5K run/walk at the Philadelphia Zoo on November 12, This will be the 5th annual run/walk at the zoo, and each year is more fun than the last. I am always amazed at the incredible support and community for this run. Each year the number of teams formed to participate in the run/walk grow. My main goal at the outset was to raise awareness and, if the race proved profitable, donate the proceeds to research. It is fun to have the 5K run/walk be a great success and donations so generous. I am looking forward to another record-breaking year.

2 What is NETs: Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cancers grow from cells that release hormones responding to a signal from the nervous system. For the most part, they are small, slow-growing tumors found frequently in the gastrointestinal system, but can also be found in the pancreas, lungs, urinary bladder, kidneys, thymus, ovaries, and testes. Most grow very slowly compared to other cancers. It usually takes many years before they become sizable or cause symptoms, so they are often diagnosed in the later stages at which point there is no cure. If found early the tumors can be surgically removed. With greater awareness by the medical and patient communities, diagnosis can come earlier when the tumors are more manageable. Because NET cancers are rare, the zebra has been adopted as the mascot. In the medical community, the term zebra is universally used as reference to an orphan (rare) disease. Physicians learn the core tenet of medical diagnosis to assume that the simplest explanation is usually the best. It is generally more productive to look for common rather than exotic causes for disease, hence the phrase If you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras. NET are a rare type of cancer, so with a sense of irony, the zebra has become the NET community s mascot. What are we aiming to accomplish? Run For The Stripes was formed to raise awareness and funds for NET cancer research to find better treatment options, and hopefully, a cure. Run For The Stripes hosts a 5K run/walk at the Philadelphia Zoo each November to support the NET community, and raise awareness and funds for research for NET cancers. All proceeds from the race go to NET cancer research. Our website ( has photos of past Run For The Stripes 5K run/walks and our Facebook page (Run For The Stripes) also has photos of past years events. Many families even form teams for the 5K to show support for their loved ones. We encourage patients to continue to be active and be involved in the NET community. Run For The Stripes has an all-volunteer board and no paid staff members. Our goal is to keep expenses down so that all proceeds from events can be donated to NET cancer research.

3 Run For The Stripes - Financial Summary FY 2015 continued to build on the momentum of previous years. This year a $30,000 donation was made to the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Cancer Center. 100% of each offline and online donation and net income from race proceeds is used to support research for NET cancers. There is no paid staff within the organization Donations Donations

4 Once again our race has become an invaluable venue for donations. Many participants will either fund raise or make donations in addition to their race fees. Online donations accounted for $13,119 (44%) which is directly tied to race day participants. Run For The Stripes hosted a casual fundraising event that generated $3762 in donations. Run For The Stripes also receives donations from people who have an interest in supporting our mission. These donations accounted for $12,418. Donation Sources $3762; 13% $701; 2% $13119; 44% $12,418; 41% Race Net Income Active On Line Donations Off- Line Donations RFTS Hosted Event Total race registrations were comparable to 2014, roughly 600 participants. This year we had both a 5K run and one mile walk which generated a more diverse population. Team registration was very popular this year. The growing number of teams validates one of our missions, which is building awareness and community.

5 NET Research: NETs are a rare form of cancer that can occur anywhere in the body; however most occur in the lungs, appendix, small intestine, rectum and pancreas. NETs can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary depending on the original location of the tumor. Additionally, treatment depends on a number of factors, including the type of tumor and location, how aggressive it is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, it is critical to have teams of medical professionals dedicated to treating patients with NETs. Furthermore, it is important that these teams have adequate resources to carry out research that will advance our understanding of NETs and how to treat it. Run For The Stripes plays an important role in aiding NET research teams. It is one of the most significant donors for NET research to University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, outside of grants, and the single largest patient-driven source of research funds. The funds raised by Run For The Stripes support ongoing research projects, including database management of tissue, blood, and saliva samples, and associated clinical information, from NET patient volunteers. The information housed in the database allows for researchers to perform studies that identify molecular and genetic signatures of NETs. One specific example is the examination of genetic abnormalities for Pheochromocytoma NETs, which uses patient saliva samples as the source of genetic information. Additionally, the funds donated to University of Pennsylvania also aid collaborative work with basic science groups that allow more comprehensive NET research. Thus, Run For The Stripes supports critical infrastructure necessary for the success of these research teams. Ongoing and continued research will help increase our understanding of risk factors for and development of NETs, formulate more effective diagnostic tests, develop new treatment options, and ensure that current treatments provide the best therapeutic benefit to patients. With funding to support this research, progress is being made. Run For The Stripes thanks Dr. David Metz, Professor of Gastroenterology, Co-Director, Neuroendocrine Tumor Center, and his team at University of Pennsylvania for their dedication to NET research and treatment.

6 A Quick Shout Out to our Top Fund Raisers: We would not be able to donate such a generous amount of money to research if it were not for the incredible people who get the word out and ask family, friends and anyone interested in learning more about NET cancers to donate to Run For The Stripes. Thank you to everyone who has donated or helped raise funds for Run For The Stripes and our sincerest thanks to individuals and the teams who raised over $1000. Fred and Lynn Cohen Jean and Larry Binkovitz John and Joyce Gatwood Cathie Nielsen Energy Management Systems, Inc. Erin Protheroe Team Scott Debbie s Zebra Warriors Team Pineda And thanks to our all-volunteer board that works hard to have the Run For The Stripes 5K run/walk be such a success each year. Jan Eisner, President Krista Zanetti, Vice President Andy Steinfeld, Treasurer Jean Binkovitz, Secretary