WALK
Put your Purple Laces On!!
with us to
CURE
LUPUS
lupusresearch.org
TEAM CAPTAIN GUIDEBOOK
Dear Team Captain:
Welcome to the Lupus Research Alliance and thank you for your
participation in the Walk with Us to Cure Lupus program. As a
Team Captain you play a vital role in the success of a Walk. It’s your
dedication and enthusiasm that motivates others to raise
awareness of lupus and raise vital funds for lupus research. As a
result of the efforts of Team Captains and their walkers, to date
Walk with Us to Cure Lupus has raised over $33 million for lupus
research. Progress is being made in achieving our mission of
preventing, treating and ultimately curing lupus, but there is still
much more work to be done. We are excited for what this year will
bring and we are happy and grateful to have you walking with us!
This guidebook contains tips and tools to help you build a
successful Walk team. Regional Fundraising Staff are also available
to support you with both your personal and team fundraising. Feel
free to contact them with any questions you may have or if you
need any additional information or materials. We are here to help!
CONTENTS
Lupus Research
Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Registering
& Forming a Walk Team . . . . . . . . . . 3
My Participant Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fundraising Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . 6
Register Today! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Together, we are leading the way to a cure.
Sincerely,
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lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
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ABOUT THE LUPUS RESEARCH ALLIANCE
& WALK WITH US TO CURE LUPUS
Lupus Research Alliance Gives 100% to Research
100% of all donations (including every dollar raised through the Walk with Us to Cure
Lupus program) go directly to support lupus research programs, because the Lupus
Research Alliance Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs. To
date, the Lupus Research Alliance has committed over $170 million to innovative and
aggressive lupus research.
Our Story
The Lupus Research Alliance is the world’s largest private sector organization dedicated
to advancing lupus research. We have produced many of the decade’s most pivotal
discoveries and are committed to pushing the limits of exploration by seizing every
opportunity to transform the lives of all affected by this disease — patients, their loved
ones and the entire lupus community.
Walk Program
The Lupus Research Alliance’s signature national fundraising program Walk with Us to
Cure Lupus (Walk) began in 2002 with its first Walk in Washington, DC. Today, tens of
thousands of volunteers from across the country have joined the Lupus Research
Alliance’s effort. Friends, families and co-workers share their stories and their spirit,
while raising funds for lupus research. The Walk with Us to Cure Lupus program offers
many ways for you to take part in this fun, family-oriented event.
Facts about Lupus
• Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune systemmistakenly
attacks healthy tissue, cells and organs
• Lupus can cause life-threatening damage to major organs, such as the kidneys, lungs,
heart and central nervous system
• Millions live with lupus, making lupus more common than leukemia, muscular
dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis
• Lupus is three times more common among African-American women and is also
more common among women of Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander descent
• Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women
• Lupus is the leading cause of death among women with autoimmune diseases
• Lupus has no known cure
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(866) 925-5257
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2
REGISTERING &
FORMING A WALK TEAM
Forming a Walk team is easy, empowering, and fun!
The first steps start with you! Register online at lupusresearch.org or call toll free
866-925-5257.
ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED, INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN YOU AND FORM A TEAM!
You can recruit team members from among your family, friends, and associates. Very
simply, the more walkers you recruit the more money your team will raise!
SET A FUNDRAISING GOAL AND ENCOURAGE ALL YOUR TEAM MEMBERS TO RAISE
MONEY.
In 2016, the average walker raised almost $200! Much of your fundraising can be done
online through email and social networking sites, making fundraising really easy.
Can’t attend the Walk? Sign up as a virtual walker!
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL WALKER?
A virtual walker is someone who wants to fundraise, but will be unable to attend the
event. Virtual walkers have a personal webpage and can use all the online fundraising
tools just like any walker. He or she can also be a Team Captain.
HOW DOES ONE SIGN UP AS A VIRTUAL WALKER?
When you register online, you will be given the opportunity to register as a Walker,
a Volunteer, or a Virtual Walker.
Choose the participation option that applies to you. If you registered offline, or
someone else registered for you, and you need to change your walker status, please
call the toll-free Walk hotline at 866-925-5257.
on’t see a Walk near you? Register for our
D
Virtual Walk.
Walk with U.S., Walk Local Cure Global is the Lupus Research Alliance virtual
fundraising event that allows people who do not live in an area where there is an
established Walk to raise awareness of lupus and funds for lupus research by holding
an event in their local community. You can choose your own walk site (a local park,
corporate complex, parking lot, or your neighborhood), walk length and time. Walk
with U.S. also provides online tools to assist with fundraising, such as team/walker
registration, a personal page and several emails.
facebook.com/lupusresearchalliance
lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
twitter.com/LupusResearch
instagram.com/lupusresearchalliance
lupusresearchalliance.tumblr.com
pinterest.com/LupusResearch
youtube.com/lupusresearchorg
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MY PARTICIPANT CENTER
My Participant Center is an online tool that helps you in your fundraising efforts.
You can customize your personal webpage, check your fundraising progress and send out emails.
Accessing Your Participant Center
Logging in:
Go to your Walk location’s homepage. Click on the red Log Into Participant Center
button on the top right of the page. Enter your username and password (both are
provided in the confirmation email sent to you after registering).
Forgot your Username and Password? Go to the webpage for the Walk you are
participating in. Click on the red Log Into Participant Center button at the top
right of the page. On the page, you will see two links to choose from: Forgot My
Username and Forgot My Password. Click on the link for the information you need.
walk homepage
Customizing Your Personal Page
Tell everyone why you are walking
1. Log into your Participant Center
2. C
lick on the Personal Page tab to edit your personal webpage
(or click the Team Page tab to edit your Team Page)
3. E
dit the content by adding pictures and videos.
Write about why you are walking!
login page
Changing Fundraising Goals
Set a fundraising goal and encourage all your team members to raise money.
To change your team or personal fundraising goal log into your Participant Center.
Once in your Participant Center click on the tab that says Progress. On the bar at
the top you will see your personal progress, how much you’ve raised and what your
goal is. Below your goal, in red, it says Change. Click on Change to update your
personal goal.
my participant center
Sending Emails
Use the email feature in your Participant Center to send a fundraising email to
everyone on your contact list.
Log into your Participant Center and click on the Email tab at the top of the page. You
can upload or import your email addresses into the email contacts. Click on Contacts
on the right hand side; you can either add one contact or upload or import multiple
contacts from your other email accounts. Note: the email address for each of your
registered walkers will be added to your Contacts automatically as well as any donors.
To find sample emails, click on the email tab, then select an email template and hit next
— then complete the steps that follow.
facebook.com/lupusresearchalliance
lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
twitter.com/LupusResearch
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pinterest.com/LupusResearch
youtube.com/lupusresearchorg
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reative
C
Fundraising Ideas
• Host a girls/guys night out at
your home and request a
contribution to help you reach
your personal and team
fundraising goals.
• Create and place Walk
fundraising jars in your school
cafeteria and at local
businesses you frequent.
Watch those quarters and
dimes add up!
• Have a “jeans day” at your
place of employment. Pick a
day where people can make a
$5 or $10 donation and wear
their jeans to work.
FUNDRAISING TIPS
How To Raise $100 In Five Days!
DAY 1: Sponsor yourself for $10 or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10
Ask your significant other for $10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10
DAY 2: Ask two family members for $10 each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20
DAY 3: Ask four friends for $5 each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20
DAY 4: Ask two coworkers for $5 each. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10
Ask your boss for $20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20
DAY 5: Ask your neighbor for $10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10
TOTAL RAISED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100
Don’t let the $100 goal stop you from raising more!
WALK
with us to
CURE
LUPUS
lupusresearch.org
All registered Walkers raising
$100+ (not cumulative) will
receive a Walk t-shirt!
Get a pair of
purple laces
from the Lupus
Research Alliance
Every individual walker who
registers online and makes a
minimum donation of $25 at
the time of registration will be
eligible to receive one pair
of purple shoelaces. This
promotion is for online
registrants who register 2
weeks before the walk only and
is non-cumulative. The purple
laces will be delivered via USPS
to the address given at
registration. Laces will be
delivered 2 to 3 weeks after
registration. This is an online
promotion only and laces will
not be provided at the Walk.
facebook.com/lupusresearchalliance
lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
All registered Walkers raising $100+ (not cumulative) will receive a Walk t-shirt!
Write a fundraising letter
A personal letter writing campaign is a simple and successful fundraising tool. Letter
writing remains one of the most effective ways to raise money. When you mail or email a
letter to family and friends, share your story! Explain why you’re participating in the
Walk with Us to Cure Lupus and how their support–by sponsoring you and/or joining
your team–can help further research.
• Provide some facts about lupus
• Share your story and talk about
your fundraising goal. Be proud
of what you are doing to help
find a cure for lupus
• Remember to mention that
100% of all donations to the
Lupus Research Alliance go
directly to support lupus
research programs
• Make sure to include your
Walker ID# in your letter and tell
everyone to write it on any check
donation mailed to the Lupus
Research Alliance
• Always be sure to say Thank you!
• You can also find sample family
and friends letters by visiting
walk.lupusresearch.org and
clicking on the Walk Tips
button.
Social Networking
You can use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to fundraise! Social media is a
great tool to let people know you are participating in the Walk, help keep in touch with
team members and raise money.
Share your story with your social network and ask for their
support in helping you achieve your goal.
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youtube.com/lupusresearchorg
5
FAQS
Mail donations to:
Lupus Research Alliance Attn: Walk Location PO Box 936, Lewiston, ME 04243
What is my Walker ID#?
Your Walker ID# is your identification number for the event and you will receive it via
email upon registration. You should put this number on all your check donations so the
Mail donations to: Lupus Research Alliance Attn: Walk
Location
Lupus
Research Alliance office knows to credit the money to your fundraising efforts.
275 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10016
What if it rains?
The Walk will take place rain or shine!
How do I get a t-shirt?
If you are a registered walker who has raised $100+, you can pick up your t-shirt on Walk
Day. Go to the registration tent and check in; you will then be given a ticket that you can
exchange for a t-shirt at the t-shirt tent.
How can donors make an online credit card donation?
Go to the Walk website and look up the participant you would like to make the donation
to using the search box on the right-hand side of the page. Select the correct
participant and then click the “Donate Now” button on their Personal Page. (You can
also make a donation on their Personal Page by clicking the link that says “Make a Gift!”
found under their fundraising thermometer.)
ow do I know when someone donated to
H
my campaign?
Unless you select otherwise, you will automatically receive an email notifying you when
a donation has been made. You can also check the My Progress section of your
Participant Center for donation updates.
Can people make anonymous gifts?
Yes, donors can choose to keep their names anonymous and can select whether or not
their donation amount is displayed online.
Where do I mail in my donations?
You can mail donations to the Lupus Research Alliance PO Box. Make sure that you
convert all cash into one check and write your Walker ID# on the memo line of your
check(s).
Lupus Research Alliance
​Attn: Location Walk (e.g. Boston Walk)
PO Box 936
Lewiston, ME 04243
Can I hand in donations after the event?
Yes, donations are accepted through December 31st. You can mail any check to the
Lupus Research Alliance’s PO Box.
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lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
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youtube.com/lupusresearchorg
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REGISTER TODAY
REGISTER for a walk near you!
Online
By Phone
lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
Because of generous people like you getting involved
we do make a real difference in lupus research.
Mail donations to:
Lupus Research Alliance
​Attn: Location Walk (e.g. Boston Walk)
PO Box 936
Lewiston, ME 04243
Together, we are leading the way to a cure!
100%
of every gift to the Lupus Research Alliance supports critical
lupus research programs because all operating and
fundraising expenses are generously funded by the
Lupus Research Alliance’s Board of Directors.
Contact Us:
Lupus Research Alliance
275 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
[email protected]
facebook.com/lupusresearchalliance
lupusresearch.org
(866) 925-5257
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pinterest.com/LupusResearch
youtube.com/lupusresearchorg
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