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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Event Questions

What is a virtual event and why is Defeat Multiple Myeloma different this year?

A virtual event means we’ll connect online instead of in-person. For the past eight years Defeat Multiple Myeloma has been held at Magnuson Park and has brought together hundreds of people to celebrate the multiple myeloma cancer community and to fundraise to help advance myeloma research. Due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, it is not safe for us to gather as a large group this year, but the pandemic doesn’t change the importance of our mission. We hope you will join us in coming together virtually this year as we continue to fundraise and advocate for multiple myeloma research.

I’d love to come! Where and when?

Defeat Multiple Myeloma 2020 looks a little different this year. We’re going virtual! We encourage you to get outside and run or walk in your own neighborhood on Sunday, June 28.

How much does it cost?

The event is free for patients and survivors of multiple myeloma! Children under 10 who want a shirt are $15, and without a shirt are only $10. Adults can register for $35.00 and receive a shirt, or $25 with no shirt.

Where should I do my run/walk?

While Defeat Multiple Myeloma is traditionally a 5K or 1 mile run/walk, it doesn’t have to be! This year find a route that is a safe place to run or walk with good sidewalks. Check out your neighborhood or visit a new one. Please follow up-to-date public health guidelines to ensure your safety.

If we’re not together why should I create a team?

Creating a team creates an added level of connection with your friends and family. As a team you can all decide to wear the same hat, create a group chat as you each walk in your neighborhoods, or send each other photos. You can also send your team emails and be notified when someone joins your team via your fundraising page.

What if I can’t run or walk on June 28?

That’s okay, you can run or walk any day! Make sure you share pictures on social media using #defeatmyeloma.

Do you need volunteers?

Unfortunately, since we’re going virtual for 2020, we do not need any volunteers.

Registration Questions

Where do I sign up?

Register here.

How do I donate?

You can donate here.

How do I create my own race team?

Visit our registration page, and click 'Form a Team’. 

How do I join a race team?

First, get the name of the team you want to join then go to our registration page and click the  'Join an Existing Team’ button. Enter the name of the team you want to join and proceed through registration following the prompts as normal.

I am having problems with registration and fundraising pages. Can you help with a step-by-step guide?

Why, of course! Please see our handy dandy guide here.

Fundraising Questions

I’m having trouble raising money. What do I do?

Speak with friends and family in person, send an email with links, and post on social media.

I am rocking the fundraising, are there any prizes?

Great job, keep it up! We have some sweet prizes for you! Raise $500 and you will be invited to an exclusive party to celebrate the success of the 2020 event and kick-off the 2021 event*. Raise $1,000 and get the opportunity to help name the 2020 Defeat Multiple Myeloma Grant! Raise $2,500 and you will receive an opportunity to attend an exclusive event* and hear from Dr. Green about how fundraising fuels his research! Top Fundraising Team and Top Individual Fundraiser gets to customize a brick at Fred Hutch!

*Exact details regarding events will be communicated to prize winners in late Fall 2020.

Is there a minimum fundraising commitment to participate in Defeat Multiple Myeloma?

No, however we encourage you to tap into your network and fundraise to accelerate multiple myeloma research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. You can enter any fundraising goal you wish.

How do I donate to Defeat Multiple Myeloma to support cancer research?

Donate online with your credit card. Alternatively, you can mail in donations (cash, check or credit card) using our offline donation form. Please make checks payable to Fred Hutch/Defeat. If you are donating to a specific participant (walker, runner, or sleep in for a cause aka virtual participant), be sure to include the participant and team name to whom you are donating on the check FOR/memo line.

What do I do if a check is made out to me?

If you receive a check that is made out to you, you can endorse the check on the back to Fred Hutch/Defeat. Please do not deposit the check into your personal account and write a new check or pay via credit card. We must have the original check endorsed to Fred Hutch/Defeat for the donor to receive a tax receipt. Be sure to include the participant or team name to whom you are donating on the check FOR/memo line. Mail to:

Fred Hutch Philanthropy - Defeat 5K
1100 Fairview Ave. J5-200
Seattle, WA 98109

What do I do if a donor gives me cash?

Cash donations can only be accepted in-person at the Fred Hutch philanthropy office or on event day at the event from the actual donor if a tax acknowledgement is required. We cannot guarantee the receipt of any cash donations sent via mail. If you receive cash and have the name and address of the donor, we will send a thank you and tax acknowledgement. If you choose to deposit the cash donation and write us a check or make a donation online, we cannot send the donor a tax acknowledgement.

For your convenience, an offline donation tracking form is available.

Is Defeat Multiple Myeloma 5K / Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution and is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes. Defeat Multiple Myeloma 5K is an event benefiting Fred Hutch, a nonprofit corporation incorporated in the state of Washington and accepting donations from all 50 states. Our tax ID number is 23-7156071. All donations made to Fred Hutch are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

All donations made payable to and received by Fred Hutch will receive an acknowledgement for tax purposes. If you donate online you will receive your tax receipt instantly via email please keep it for your records. If you donate via check, the name and address appearing on the check will receive a thank you and tax acknowledgment. If you donate cash and have the name and address of the donor, we will send a thank you and tax acknowledgement. If a donation is not received directly to Fred Hutch by the donor, we cannot provide a tax acknowledgement.

Donations received via check or cash will be acknowledged via mail no later than January 31, 2021.

What is the difference between an individual donation and a team donation?

Individual donations are made directly to the participant and count towards their fundraising goal. To make an individual donation, visit our donate page and select from participant. Use the participant search function by entering the participant’s first and last names and clicking the ‘search’ button. Scroll down to view results.

Team donations benefit the overall team. Donations made to a team can be moved to an individual participant as long as the team captain emails us. To donate to a team, use the team search function by entering the participant’s first and last names and clicking the ‘search’ button. Scroll down to view results.

Do you accept matching gifts, and how are they credited towards my fundraising goal?

Definitely! Simply ask your HR rep or your employers matching gifts rep to submit the paperwork to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Be sure to note the matching gift is for Defeat. Once we receive the matching gift, we’ll post to your participant page. Please note the time it takes to receive the actual gift can vary depending on your company. Some companies will send the money within a couple weeks of your request, while others take months to send the money.

Check to see if your company has a matching gift program by clicking here.

Matching gifts are an easy way to increase your fundraising. Be sure to encourage your donors to submit matching gift requests to leverage your fundraising.

What if someone from a foreign country wants to donate to my page?

They can simply donate by credit card to your personal fundraising page and just enter the amount in American dollars. Please encourage any Canadian friends to donate online instead of by check.

Why direct the race proceeds to Fred Hutch?

We want our donors and volunteers to know with perfect confidence that their donations and time will be going to directly support multiple myeloma research. The work being done at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is on the cutting edge, moving fast, and providing great results to date. They have made it clear to us: our support helps them get new treatment options to patients faster!

Multiple Myeloma Questions

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells found in bone marrow. The disease occurs when the body makes too many abnormal plasma cells called, myeloma’s. Plasma cells are created when a type of lymphocyte called a B-cell responds to an infection. Normal plasma cells help the immune system fight disease by making antibodies (immunoglobulins) which attack and kill germs.

When plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, they can produce a tumor called a plasmacytoma. These tumors generally develop in bone, but can also be found in other tissues. If someone has more than one plasmacytoma, they have multiple myeloma.

What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Patients with multiple myeloma present with a number symptoms including low blood counts, bone and calcium problems, frequent infections, and kidney problems. Bone pain, anemia, fatigue and more frequent infections are all traits of multiple myeloma.

What treatments exist for multiple myeloma?

Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted radiation therapy are the most common. However, the funds raised by events like Defeat Multiple Myeloma are supporting research into new treatments like immunotherapy using targeted T-Cells.

No one I know has multiple myeloma, why should I care about this disease?

Despite the crippling nature of the symptoms and the fact that multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, there is poor awareness, relatively little funding, and few truly effective treatments. However, in the past decade, research into multiple myeloma has progressed rapidly. The incredible advancements make us optimistic that a cure is within reach. Defeat Multiple Myeloma’s mission is to support promising, early-stage, multiple myeloma research aimed at finding a cure. However, we need the help of people like you to make that happen.

Where can I find more information about multiple myeloma?

The Fred Hutch website is a great resource for further information about multiple myeloma and many other diseases. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/diseases/multiple-myeloma.html