New York City Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis

New York City, Take Steps to Find a Cure.. is THIS THURSDAY!

Join between 800 and 1,000 expected participants for NYC's 6th year hosting the nation's only walk dedicated to finding a cure for digestive diseases. Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis is a great way to bring together your friends, family, and community to fundraise and walk to spread awareness of what these diseases are, how many Americans are actually affected, and get closer to finding a CURE!

NEW PATIENTS often find forming a team is a helpful way to make talking about their disease to their family/social circles less overwhelming and isolating.

PATIENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MANAGING THEIR DISEASE over the years find forming a team and participating is a great platform for their loved ones, who often times feel unable to help during difficult flares or disease management, to roll their sleeves up and spread the word in the community, fundraise in their honor, and walk beside one another in a truly rewarding way!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
•    Make sure everyone on your team is registered and has made or received a donation
•    Make sure to make your team is aware of the incentive levels to receive apparel (participants must fundraise or donate $100+ to receive an event T-Shirt)
 
DIRECTIONS
The Walk is located at the South Street Seaport on Pier 17. If you need an address for Hopstop or a GPS, use the Heartland Brewery across the street at 93 South Street, New York, NY. The festival  takes place directly across the street! We strongly encourage you to communicate with your teammates prior to arrange a meet-up point across from or within the festival. Always give your walkers your cell phone number in-case they are running late. 

Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, M, or Z to Fulton Street station; walk east along Fulton Street.
Bus: M15 to Fulton Street
For driving directions, please visit http://www.mapquest.com
For parking options, visit http://nyc.bestparking.com/
For bus and subway directions visit www.hopstop.com or www.mta.info

Please note that the CCFA does NOT have discounts at area garages.
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
5:30PM OPEN - Welcome
5:35PM BAND – Fastback CT (50 minute set)  
6:15PM FOUNDATION & CORPORATE – Rhondell Domilici & Elizabeth Heck
                                Rhondell – Mission Statement, CCFA Background
                                Elizabeth Heck - Sponsor and Board Recognitions
6:25PM HONORED HERO – Jenna Agin, 2013 Honored Hero
                                Jenna Agin – Personal Story
6:35PM FUNDRAISING AWARDS & THANK YOU – Danielle Thibault
                                Danielle - Announce top fundraising Teams & Individuals, Walk Route review, and additional sponsor recognition  
6:50PM WARM-UP & LINE-UP – Warm-up Session 
7:00PM WALK START

REGISTRATION
The first tent all participants should go is the REGISTRATION TENT located at the entrance of the festival. If your friends and family still need to register, encourage them to do so online today! Day of registration will be available, but registering online prior to the event will give you more time to enjoy the morning festivities and avoid the lines! Please remember all participants must have donated or fundraised some amount by event day. $0 participants will be asked to make a contribution. *Please note if you have made a donation to another participant and are showing $0 in your fundraising total online, you will be asked to make an additional donation*
 
DONATIONS
You can bring all day-of donations to the REGISTRATION TENT during check-in. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, and credit card made payable to CCFA. Please be sure to fill out a donation envelope at the tent to properly specify which team and team member you are making the donation to. These gifts will be processed and added to your fundraising pages.
 
TSHIRTS AND INCENTIVES
To receive an event T-Shirt each participant must have raised or donated $100 or more. Monies collected at check-in will be added to total day-of.
Participants who have raised or donated $250 or more will receive an event T-Shirt and Visor.
Participants who have raised or donated $500 or more will receive an event T-Shirt and Sweatshirt.
Participants who have raised or donated $1,000 or more will be honored as a VIP Loud & Proud Member and have access to the VIP Tent (and receive an event T-Shirt and Sweatshirt).
Teams who have raised or donated $10,000 or more receive a complimentary team 10x10 tent with tables and chairs to serve as a homebase and “spirit tent” for your team!

FESTIVAL: Entertainment, tents & activities

• ENTERTAINMENT: live band, Fastback CT
• Registration
• Check-in and donation drop-off
• Mission & Ask the Doc
• Patient Education materials and resources
• Support Group information
• Medical Professionals from around the city to meet, greet, and ask questions. Confirmed as of today:

1. Dr. David Hudesman, Beth Israel Medical Group
2. Colleen Webb, MS, RD, CDN, Weill Cornell
3. Lexie Sherman, RN, BNS, WOCN, Mount Sinai
4. Dr. Arthur Heller, Lenox Hill

• Complimentary Therapies (see flyer below)
• Banner Making (registered teams are provided a Take Steps banner to decorate and sign to walk with and keep)
• Camp Oasis Kids Tent (various activities and games for kids - and adults, face-painting, live entertainer 5:30PM to 6:30PM)
• Incentives (pick-up site for T-Shirts, Visors, and Sweatshirts)
• Food
• VIP Loud & Proud Tent for Top Fundraisers

Please note: Top Fundraisers are participants who fundraise $1,000+ First 200 guests will receive Bake by Melissa Cupcakes, Special Top Fundraiser opportunities, Special giveaways

FOOD
Snacks and beverages are in-kind donated from businesses from around the city. Items can include bananas, pizza, bagels, coffee, granola bars, water, assorted trays of finger food, etc
**If you have specific dietary restrictions, please plan ahead and feel free to bring your own food and snacks to enjoy during the festival!**
 
WALK ROUTE
Participants leave the Seaport and begin walking at 7PM and end back at the Seaport for a total route of about 2 miles (fully wheelchair, stroller, and pet friendly). The course takes most participants about 45 minutes to complete. The 1-mile turnaround is on the Brooklyn Bridge. Route maps will be provided to all participants during the festival. There will be a volunteer station at the turnaround and route guides along the way! Once you return to the festival, you cross the finish-line through a group of supporters cheering you on, receive a certificate of completion, and complete your 2013 participation!
 
BATHROOMS
Two portable bathrooms will be onsite at the festival for our exclusive use.

VOLUNTEERS
We have over 50 volunteers dedicated to enhancing your event experience and safety! They will all be wearing shades of GREEN and will be wearing name tags. They will be present during the festival and along the walk route guiding and cheering you along.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO Register today!

Complimentary Therapy Vendors

With your support we are committed to transforming the lives of those impacted by these diseases to one of a brighter future based on well-funded, cutting-edge scientific research. Make the decision now to join us and raise funds toward a future free from Crohn's and colitis!

Please contact local Walk Manager, Danielle Thibault, at dthibault@ccfa.org or 646-388-9283, with any and all questions.