Inaugural Walk & Roll Campaign a Tremendous Success!

by LEIGH REYNOLDS, Kansas City, Missouri

When we began planning for the inaugural Walk & Rolls to Cure FSHD, a $105,000 fundraising goal felt ambitious. Then an incredible group of volunteer leaders stepped up to pioneer this national campaign in five communities across the US. They worked tirelessly to make magic happen, and their dedication, drive, and determination led to remarkable results!

• More than $230,000 raised by Walk & Rolls from coast to coast: Colorado, Ohio, California, Washington State, and North Carolina.
• 542 walkers, representing 67 teams.
• Thousands reached with the story of FSHD, increasing awareness and understanding.

I’ve worked to launch events with other groups across the country with similar standards. Your inaugural Walk & Roll is one of the strongest volunteer-driven campaigns I’ve seen.

So many things went into the success of this event―tremendous volunteer leaders, a growing army of engaged participants and fundraisers, corporate supporters, and staff leadership.

Also playing a pivotal role was our investment in the technology needed to support it all. Our peer-to-peer system made it easy for individuals and teams to share personal stories with their friends and family and to enlist them to fundraise on their behalf.

“The Colorado Walk & Roll is a great testament to how powerful the peer-to-peer fundraising platform is,” said Katie Ruekert, who founded the Colorado event three years ago. “During our first two years, we used a different fundraising model which included a registration fee. Our first year we raised $21,000, and in our second year we raised $32,500. This year, with the peer-to-peer technology, our participants set up their own teams to raise more funds, and we doubled what we raised to over $67,000!”

“In addition to doubling the amount we raised, we doubled the number of participants and reached that many more families,” Ruekert added. “It has been magical to see not only our Colorado Walk & Roll grow, but also witness the expansion of other Walk & Rolls across the country.”

We couldn’t be prouder of this growing community of activists, and we can’t wait to bring this movement to more communities next year and making an even greater impact as we drive toward treatments to families by 2025!

If you want to be a part of this movement, contact Beth Johnston, chief community development officer, at Beth.Johnston@FSHDSociety.org.