Snowflake Shuffle for MG

14th Annual Snowflake Shuffle (formerly the Viking Challenge) for MG

 

❄ Help Conquer Myasthenia Gravis, aka the Snowflake Disease! ❄

There’s a way for everyone to be included in this year’s Snowflake Shuffle: Join us for the in-person Walk on Sunday, June 7, or take the Virtual Challenge and do as many miles as you choose in your own way (walk, run, bike, swim), from Sunday, April 26 to Friday, June 5. You could even participate in both Challenges!

Our goal is to lift up those who struggle with this disabling rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease. This year marks our 14th annual walk for those with MG!

All proceeds support the mission of Conquer Myasthenia Gravis.

 

Honoring Tracy Shackelford

At the event, we will announce this year's Tracy Shackelford MG Service Award. Tracy Cartwright Shackelford passed away too soon in 2021. Shackelford was a Conquer MG Board member and compassionate advocate for the MG community. In her honor, our closing ceremony will include the announcement of this year's awardee who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to raise awareness of MG.

 

In-Person Snowflake Shuffle - Sunday, June 7

Click the Sign-Up button to register. Pre-register online any time before noon on Friday, June 5. Day-of registrations will be accepted on-site. Online registrations include an additional transaction fee. Adult registrations apply to all youth 14 and older. Register by May 1st to guarantee your t-shirt size! Registrations after May 1st may not receive their exact size.

Adult pre-registration: $45
On-site registration: $50
Youth ages 0-13: $15 

For this year’s 14th Annual Snowflake Shuffle at Berens Park in Elmhurst, Illinois, we will walk on a path through the park. 

SCHEDULE 

❄ 8:30 a.m. - Registration opens

❄ 9:00 a.m. - Welcome & announcements

❄ 9:15 a.m. - Walk starts - adults & youth all walk at the same time

❄ 10:30 a.m. - Raffle & awards announced 

 

The in-person event features raffle prizes, sponsor giveaways, local health & wellness providers, and snacks. Be sure to visit our "This is what MG is like" stations.

 

Virtual Challenge - April 26 to June 7

Participate where you live! 

Virtual Snowflake Shuffle: $45
In-person and Virtual Challenge: $45

❄ Participate on your own or invite family and friends to join you.

❄ Choose how to complete your miles -- walk, run, bike, swim, paddle.

❄Complete as many miles as you like between April 26 - June 7.

❄ Submit photos to be featured in the newsletter after the event.

❄ All miles must be logged in to RunSignup by noon on June 7.

 

As you walk, run, bike, or swim your way through the Challenge, please share your accomplishments! You can post photos on the RunSignup site or email your photos and stories to info@myastheniagravis.org. 

As you complete your miles, log your activity in RunSignUp. Don't worry - it's easy. Click the tab "Logging Your Miles/Virtual Challenge" for step-by-step instructions.

Complete your walking, running, biking, etc., between April 26 through June 7. 

Snowflake Shuffle Includes:

IN-PERSON

❄ T-shirts for participants; Register by May 1st to guarantee your tshirt size!

❄ Sponsor giveaways

❄ This-is-what-MG-is-like stations

❄ Health and wellness tables

❄ Raffle Prizes 

 

VIRTUAL  

❄ T-shirt mailed to your home

❄ Downloadable print-ready bib for your participation photos

 

Optional: Raise Funds for the Cause

Your support is vital to help Conquer MG support people who have myasthenia gravis. 

You can set up your own fundraising page for the Snowflake Shuffle for MG after registering for the event. Share your own story and invite others to support this cause. Your friends and family can add any amount – each dollar counts! (Note: Be sure to use your Team Name for your fundraising page if you want to ask people to donate on behalf of your Team.) Your confirmation email will include a link that you can share with others. 

Facebook fundraisers are another easy way to raise funds for the cause. Here’s a link to get started: https://www.facebook.com/fund/ConquerMyastheniaGravis/. We’ll make sure these amounts are added to our overall Virtual Snowflake Shuffle total.

Proceeds from the Snowflake Shuffle make it possible for Conquer MG to complete its vital work: support, education, awareness, and research funding to improve the lives of those who suffer from myasthenia gravis.

 

Can't participate? Just donate!

Maybe you're not up for walking or running or fundraising right now. Click the yellow DONATE button to make your contribution in honor of someone or donate to an individual or team fundraiser (as long as they have set up a fundraising page). 

All proceeds support the mission of Conquer Myasthenia Gravis. Going strong for more than 50 years, Conquer MG provides support, information, advocacy, and research funding to those dealing with this rare autoimmune disease.  

This event is focused on people who have myasthenia gravis, many of whom still need to take extra precautions to avoid getting sick. These guidelines are in place to help ensure you enjoy a safe and healthy event. 

1.      Feel sick? Please, please, please stay home.

2.      Most of the event will take place outdoors. Masks are optional on the walking path and around the tent area. 

3.      We highly encourage the use of masks in the indoor party room adjacent to our tent. 

4.      Bottled water and packaged snacks will be available. We're sorry - no coffee urn and no mid-point water dispenser.

5.      Walkers can pick up bottled water at the tent before the walk or can stop by to pick up a water bottle during the Walk.

6.      Hand sanitizer will be available.

 

HOW TO DONATE

To make a simple donation:

1. Click Donate – either the yellow button, or in the navigation menu.

2. Enter your donation amount. You'll have the option to make a tribute donation - in honor or in memory of someone.

3. Follow the rest of the prompts. We appreciate your support!

To assign your donation to the fundraising efforts of a team or person:

1.      Click “Donate” as above.

2.      Scroll down and click the blue “Fundraiser” band.

3.      Fundraising individuals and teams will appear. “Select” your choice. If you don’t see the person or team, then use the Search function. (They might be listed on the next page.)

4.      Enter a donation amount. Follow the rest of the prompts. Thank you very much!

HOW TO BECOME A FUNDRAISER

You make a huge impact on the finances of Conquer MG - and therefor the work we can do - when you share this cause with others. The importance of your support simply cannot be overstated. YOU can raise awareness about this disabling disease, and at the same time multiply the services that can be extended to those in need.

1.      Click the yellow Donate button.

2.      On the Donate page, click the blue Fundraiser band.

3.      Then follow the prompts to set up your own fundraising page to share with others. You can give it your own name, or your team’s name.

4.      You’ll get a link to share with your friends and family.

Here’s another way to get started:

1.      Click on “Donate” from the page navigation. Then Click on “Become a Fundraiser.” This takes you to the same page to set up your own page, with space to include your own story and photo.

If you're new to fundraising, it can be difficult to "ask people for money." Here's the thing. What you're really asking for is help - for the person who has seen five doctors trying to get a diagnosis, or who is struggling to get through a day's work, or who can't hold her own infant without fear that her arms will be strong enough.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Think about why you care. This will be your inspiration - and by sharing it, you can move others to care.
• Share your story. Use our online fundraising tools to explain your personal experience. 
• Make a list of who you can invite to support you - family, friends, clubs that you're a part of, neighbors. These are the people who know your struggle. 
• Set a goal - it will keep you motivated!

Q: MY FRIEND GAVE ME A DONATION CHECK. CAN I ADD THAT TO MY FUNDRAISING TOTAL?

A: A check can be added manually to your fundraising page donation total by the Conquer MG office staff, after the office receives it. Just be sure to tell us if a check should be designated to your page!

HOW TO CREATE A TEAM

You can set up a team 1) when you register, or 2) from the navigation “Groups/Teams.” A team captain should register before teammates register. The team captain creates the team, and then others join it.

When you register

Click the blue Sign-Up button. After you enter your contact information, you’ll be asked "Would you like to join a Group/Team?" Click Yes and finish the page. You'll then be taken to a page that asks you to choose:

• No Group/Team
• Join an Existing Group/Team
• Create a New Group/Team

Choose the appropriate box. Then follow the prompts.

From the Navigation “Groups/Teams”

Click this option in the page navigation. You’ll be taken to a page where you can search for a team name if you know it. You also can create a team from this page.

LOGGING YOUR MILES

As you complete your miles, log your activity in RunSignUp, via the Results page. Don’t worry – it’s easy. This short video shows you how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbIL7aGLk5E.

In brief:

• Go to https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Elmhurst/VirtualVikingChallengeforMG 
• From the navigation, click “Results”
• Under Individual Results, search for your name
• Follow the prompts to enter your activity type and miles. Entering the time you took to complete the distance is optional.
• You can submit one or more activities at a time. 
• You have until noon on Sunday, June 8 to log your accomplishments.
• The first time you log an activity, you can set an individual goal for yourself. 
• Watch for badges to appear on your Profile page as you work toward your goal. 

When you log your distance, you also can check where you are on the leaderboard. Are you ahead of your friends? Check back frequently to see!  

Complete your walking, running, biking, etc., from April 27 through June 8.

Snowflake Shuffle for MG Adult Registration: T-shirt

Snowflake Shuffle for MG Virtual Registration: T-shirt

Snowflake Shuffle for MG Youth Registration: T-shirt