PHA s mission is to extend and improve the lives of those affected by pulmonary hypertension. PHA s vision is a world without PH, empowered by hope. TEAM CAPTAIN GUIDE Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead to heart failure. There is no cure. In 1985 patients had a 50% chance of surviving 2.8 years past date of diagnosis but, thanks to new treatments, prognosis is improving. Research PHA funds cutting edge research, committing more than $12 million to funding researchers looking for methods for early detection, new treatments to enhance and extend lives and ultimately a cure. Support PHA offers Support Groups across the country, online communities, a team of mentors who provide email based support and a Patient to Patient Support Line. Education PHA delivers education to patients computers, mailboxes and in face to face settings. Topics cover the gamut from living with PH to insurance issues and everything in between. PH treating medical professionals also benefit from an array of educational and networking opportunities provided by PHA. Advocacy PHA advocates for legislation that positively impacts the lives of PH patients and has secured significant federal funding for PH research and awareness initiatives. Awareness The voice of the PH community is built on the personal stories of thousands of patients, caregivers, friends and medical professionals. PHA provides resources to share stories online, with the media and in the community. TABLE OF CONTENTS Why We Walk The Cause 1 Your Role as Team Captain 2 Steps to Success 3 Raising Funds - Make a Difference 4 Sponsorship Opportunities 5 Turning In Funds 6 Frequently Asked Questions 7 Local Office Contact Information 7 THANK YOU for taking the first step by registering as a Team Captain for the O2 breathe Walk! Together, we will raise funds and awareness towards the fight against pulmonary hypertension. The financial support of individuals, foundations, organizations and corporations make it possible for PHA to carry out our mission. PHA is deeply grateful for the support of volunteers and donors and is proud to have met the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability. Additionally, for 13 consecutive years, PHA has received the highest possible rating-4 stars-for fiscal accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, placing PHA in the top 1% of all rated charities. 88.5% of funds raised by PHA go directly to research and our support, education, advocacy and awareness efforts. National Diamond Sponsor National Platinum Sponsor National Gold Sponsor National Bronze Sponsor
Your Role as Team Captain Thank you once again for taking on the important role of Team Captain. By forming a team and leading their efforts, you have the power to make a difference! SET A GOAL Use the Steps to Success in this guide to build your plan to achieve your goal. Your leadership will propel your team to success RAISE FUNDS Team captains set an example for other team members by personally raising funds and can lead team members in collective, creative and out-of-the-box fundraising ideas INSPIRE Leading up to and at the O2 breathe Walk, you are your team s coach, motivating team and reminding them of the importance of the cause. Provide them with resources and tips on how to raise funds. BUILD A TEAM An average team includes 10 members. Recruit others to join your team. Encourage co-workers, friends and family members for register for the O2 breathe Walk and join you in raising funds. Even if someone cannot attend the event, they are more than welcome to join your team to raise funds and awareness. CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS AND SHOW APPRECIATION Thank those who helped your team reach the goal. To make your job easier, walker registration and fundraising can be handled online. The more team members who fundraise online, the simpler your job will be! The Pulmonary Hypertension Association is here to help you meet your goals and raise funds to fight PH. The Northeast Chapter Staff, Leslie, Marie and Juliette are always available to answer your questions and provide you with tips and tools. How will the funds I raise help patients who have PH? $100 Funds one monthly training session for support group leaders. PHA sponsors more than 240 support groups across the country for PH patients, caregivers and families. $250 Provides the materials, creation and shipping of 10 Envelopes of Hope which provide information and resources to new patients. $500 Makes Pathlight, PHA s informationrich quarterly newsletter, available to 50 people. $1,000 Funds the Patientto-Patient Support Line, manned by long-term survivors who answer questions and lend a sympathetic ear, for one month $1,650 Funds PHA s research program to find treatments and cures for PH for one day This list is only a guide for the types of services your donation can provide. 2
Steps to Success Set a goal Recruit 10 team members and ask them to set a goal of $100 each. With a letter writing campaign, online fundraising tools and other simple strategies, it is surprisingly easy to raise $1,000 or more in a short time. Enlist the help of Gina, Leslie, Marie and Juliette, who can meet in person or talk to you by phone to assist you in setting a realistic and achievable goal for your team. Encourage each of your team members to raise a minimum $100 or more and receive the O 2 breathe Walk t-shirt. Build a team Invite everyone you know to join your team, raise money and walk with you. Use social media or send an email to family, friends, neighbors...all of your contacts! Spread the word with our save-the-date cards, posters, brochures, fliers and other promotional materials. Raise funds Customize your team and personal web pages. These tools will help you keep your team organized and track progress toward your team goal. Include your story, photos or logo. Write and send a personal fundraising letter or email. Describe your experience and why you chose to get involved with the O 2 breathe Walk and request a donation. Send to everyone in your email address book and/or on your holiday card list. Put the link to your fundraising web page onto your social media sites and in your email signature. Plan a fundraising activity or event for your team. Any hobby or activity can become a way to raise funds with a little creativity! Many companies match donations made by employees. Contact your human resources representative to see if your company has an employee giving or matching program. Celebrate Plan for a fun day at the O 2 breathe Walk, celebrating the difference you have made. Consider making t-shirts for your team or asking everyone to wear the same color to make your team stand out. Take a team photo at the walk. Share it with team members, donors and supporters. Thank those who helped your team reach your goals! 3
Raising Funds - Make a Difference Not sure where to start? The Pulmonary Hypertension Association provides online and offline tools to help O 2 breathe Walk Team Captains and their team members spread the word and raise funds. SET A GOAL Decide how much you want to raise and create a plan. The average O 2 breathe Walk participant raises $250, but many people go above and beyond the average. At a minimum, each walker is encouraged to raise $100 or more and receive the O 2 breathe Walk t-shirt. CUSTOMIZE YOUR PAGE When you visit www.o2breathe.org and log into your HQ, you can inspire others by personalizing your web page with a message, story and photo. Team captains manage both a team page and a personal page. Further instructions can be found on the site. USE SOCIAL MEDIA You can share any O2 breathe Walk page, including your personal fundraising page or team page on email, Facebook, Twitter, your blog or other social media outlets. This is a great way to update others on your progress and remind them to support you! MAKE A PERSONAL GIFT Kick-start your fundraising with a personal donation. When supporters see that you contributed, they will be more inclined to give. Make a donation during registration or visit your personal page after registering. Donating online is quick, easy and ensures your funds go right to work for the cause. SEND EMAILS You may copy and paste the link to your personal fundraising page into an email and send it to your contacts using your personal email. Or follow the simple directions to upload your contacts and send emails through your participant center. Sample letters are located in your participant center. MATCHING GIFTS Many companies match donations by employees. Contact your human resources representative to see if your company has an employee giving or matching program and ask those who sponsor you to do the same. CORPORATE SPONSORS Ask your company and the companies of your family and friends to sponsor the event using the enclosed levels. Sponsorships start at $500. If they are unable to be a sponsor, ask for a $100 donation to support your efforts. CELEBRATE & WALK Plan for a fun day at the O 2 breathe Walk, celebrating the difference you have made. O 2 breathe Walks feature live music, a team t-shirt contest, food and fun for the family. Thank those who contributed to your efforts and helped you reach your goal! 4
Sponsorship Opportunities SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS Donation amounts listed as 1 event (your choice)/all 3 event DIAMOND $15,000 / $30,000 PLATINUM $10,000 / $20,000 GOLD $5,000 / $10,000 SILVER $3,000 / $6,000 BRONZE $2,000 / $4,000 BOOTH / T-SHIRT LOGO $1,000 / $2,500 COROPLAST SIGN $500 PRESS, MEDIA & PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS Logo placed on O 2 breathe Walk brochures mailed to local constituients Logo placed on all O 2 breathe Walk posters Inclusion in advertisements, event press releases and PSAs Logo on all publications & tools for event participants Recognition in PHA s publications & tools for event participants WEBSITE & ELECTRONIC Logo on Walk Campaign s website Logo with click-through link on Walk e-news stationary to participants Logo with click-through link on emails to 5,000+ local constituients promoting the events SOCIAL MEDIA Recognition on chapter social media DAY-OF-EVENT Logo on T-shirts for participants Sponsor Exhibition booth Logo on event banners at Registration Logo on select route signs Personalized Coroplast route sign Recognition during opening ceremony Representative may address attendees 5
Turning in Funds When you use the online tools, contributions raised by you and your team members are immediately directed to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and go right to work to fulfill our mission. This saves time, paperwork and expense. We also encourage teams and participants to collect funds offline; cash, checks, fundraising event proceeds, matching gifts, etc. Offline fundraising efforts can supplement your personal fundraising page and emails. Here are some simple instructions for turning in offline funds: 1. Make checks payable to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. 2. Convert cash to a money order or cashier s check. 3. Use a walker collection envelope (included in your Team Captain s Kit). List your name, the team name, your contact information, and sign the waiver. If funds are turned in on your behalf without a walker collection envelope, please be sure to note your name, the team name and the O 2 breathe Walk event. 4. Send funds to: Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 54 West 40th St., New York, NY 10018 5. Shortly after, your cash and check amounts will appear on your personal fundraising page to track your progress online. We accept O 2 breathe Walk funds at any time, before or after the walk, or throughout the year. 6. You can also turn in the funds at registration on the day of the event. 6
Frequently Asked Questions I signed up as an individual-but now others wish to join me. Is it too late to form a team? No! We can easily change your registration! Just call us at (646) 571-6843 or email NYEvents@ PHAssociation.org with the name of your team, and we will set you up! I would like to participate, but cannot attend the walk. Can I still register? Absolutely! Anyone can register and raise funds to support the cause, even if they are unable to attend the O 2 breathe Walk. This virtual support is important for many teams with friends and family across the nation. Is there a fee to participate? No, but we encourage each person to make a personal donation and raise funds. Those who raise $100 or more will receive the official O 2 breathe Walk t-shirt. Walking is the culmination of your efforts, but raising funds will bring about change for our mission. How is money collected? Can I turn in donations before the day of the walk? You can turn in funds raised outside of the online tools to the local Pulmonary Hypertension Association office, or bring them on event day. You can mail or drop off donations to your local Pulmonary Hypertension Association office, or send to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 54 West 40th St., New York, NY 10018 at any time. How long is the walk? O 2 breathe Walks are 1-3 miles in length, but walkers are welcome to walk a shorter distance. What if it rains? The O 2 breathe Walk is held rain or shine. PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ASSOCIATION NORTHEAST CHAPTER 54 West 40th St. New York, NY 10018 (646) 571-6843 NYEvents@PHAssociation.org www.o2breathe.org/ny www.o2breathe.org/baltimore www.o2breathe.org/philly www.o2breathe.org/boston www.o2breathe.org/longisland NORTHEAST CHAPTER STAFF Leslie A. Orlovsky Development Director Juliette Pelletier Development Manager Marie Mascia-Rand Director of Community Engagement Greater Philadelphia Area