Welcome to the TWO MILLION STEPS CLOSER TO #CURESDS fundraiser - the second installment of the first and only global virtual fun run/walk event to support Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) research! Log your steps September 20th-26th, 2021.

100% of the event profits and public donations go to SDS research! Our research strategy and roadmap are outlined on the SDS Alliance website, here.

 T-SHIRT SALES ARE NOW CLOSED, BUT YOU CAN STILL JOIN THE FITNESS CHALLENGE!

If you are looking to donate or fundraise to accelerate SDS research without participating in this fun run/walk event, please do so here to help with the mouse project.

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome is a rare genetic cancer predisposition disorder that affects thousands of children and adults worldwide. Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Alliance's mission is to enable and accelerate therapy development and a cure for SDS - in particular to eliminate the deadly leukemia risk in SDS - in a time frame that matters to our children and thousands of SDS patients worldwide. Our focus is research and development: we raise funds for the most cutting-edge research, build collaborations globally, and invest in critical research tools and infrastructure, now.

Two million steps are certainly too many for any single person. But together, the steps add up. We can get there!

How to participate:

 1. Register on this page .  

• Choose the registration type and specify how many people you would like to register, on this page. Proceed to checkout.
  
  

• Additional donations can be added with the option below the registration options. You will automatically receive a receipt for tax purposes right after checkout indicated what portion of your registration fee is tax deductible. (Extra credit: check with your employer whether they offer employee gift matching. This can allow your donations to go twice as far).

 2. Start a team (optional) .

• Team members can register themselves on this page, or you can register on behalf of multiple people.

• If your team members want to participate in the fun run/walk with step counting, they will receive instructions on how to do so if they self-register. If you register on their behalf, please share with them the instructions. The link to all the details will be emailed to you when you register. Your team members will be able to specify your team name when they log their steps (see step 4, below).

 3. Fundraise  (optional) .

If you would like to fundraise for this event with or without participating in the actual fun run/walk with step counting, set up your own, personalized fundraising page! It is really easy!

• Simply click the "I Want To Fundraise For This" button on the campaign donation page here. It's just below the donation options. Follow the few simple steps, and customize the page if you like.
• Then use the built-in share buttons to share your page via email, text, Facebook, Twitter, or any way you like. Your network can simply donate on your fundraising page, and donations will automatically be routed to this fundraiser / SDS Alliance. Donors will automatically receive a receipt for tax purposes.  

 4. Count and log your steps .

In the time period between September 20th-26th, count your steps with your favorite device/app. You don’t have to buy a device, if you don’t already have one! Most smartphones have built-in or free pedometers/step counting/fitness apps available! We will provide a tool to log and share your counts, to generate a leaderboard for the event, and create/join a team. (The teams option will only be activated during the challenge period September 20-26, but you can already join the app and get used to counting your steps). 

Since the event is virtual, there are plenty of safe options, observing any recommended COVID-19 precautions. You can even do the challenge at home.

That's it!

Winners:

Each and every dollar raised helps us get closer to a cure. In addition, the individual and team leader who individually or as a team raises the most funds and/or logs the most steps (so a total of 4 winners) will receive special recognition on our social media sites and a little gift as a token of our appreciation. 

Questions / Comments?

Contact us at the SDS Alliance: connect@sdsalliance.org or +1-617-329-1838