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FAQs

General Questions

What is Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Reach & Raise?

Reach & Raise is Living Beyond Breast Cancer's unique twist on a traditional charity event. Rather than running, walking, or biking to a finish line, we come together in in yoga. The event started in 2001 in Philadelphia and has since expanded to five other cities including Denver, CO; Ft. Myers, FL; Kansas City; and Washington D.C. Thus far, tens of thousands have participated in Reach & Raise, raising more than $3 million to support LBBC. 

This year, due to COVID-19, Reach & Raise will be a virtual event. We will offer a special all-levels hour-long yoga practice available to our registrants. We are also offering weekly, shorter yoga classes available to everyone on our Facebook page (link to LBBC) FB page) at 6:00pm ET Friday nights to help us all relax and de-stress as we weather this storm.

The proceeds of this year’s Reach & Raise will benefit the LBBC’s response to COVID-19 and the unique challenges for women who are dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis.  Funds raised will support:

  1. Emergency financial assistance to women in treatment.  Because of the perfect storm of COVID-19 and costs associated with breast cancer treatment, LBBC’s goal is to double the number of grants we offer this year to women in treatment for basic needs such as food, rent and utilities.  Year. Help us reach our goal of 550 grants so that women can focus on their treatment and not on their bills.
  2. Rapid response medical information.  COVID-19 has upended our medical system and information is relentless.  LBBC is the source for up-to-date trusted information, and is dedicated to posting articles, interviews, blogs and webinars every week that women can turn to for the information they need.
  3. Connection and hope.  LBBC has the second largest private online Facebook community in the country for women impacted by breast cancer, and our online communities are active 24-7 with staff available ready to answer questions whenever needed.
What is Living Beyond Breast Cancer?

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) is a national nonprofit with the mission of connecting people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. We do this through a variety of programs and services, including national conferences, a robust social media community, webinars and twitter chats, publications, a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline, and website that is easy to navigate and full of information.

LBBC is known for its responsiveness to the needs of those we serve.  With the advent of COVID-19 and the accompanying uncertainty, LBBC has pivoted to produce information and programs that can help women diagnosed with breast cancer face the challenges unique to them.  LBBC is publishing news and blogs weekly, posting interviews with experts, and hosting a weekly community yoga class on Facebook live.  In addition, we have pivoted to a virtual Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer, which will be held in June.

Why Yoga?

In 2000, Jean Sachs, our CEO, met with Philadelphia area yoga instructor Jennifer Schelter and one of her students, who had a great idea: a yoga class in support of women with breast cancer on Philadelphia's iconic Art Museum steps. This would be an opportunity to create something truly unique and to bring together an entire community in support of people impacted by breast cancer, while engaging participants in a fun, healthy group activity.>

Since then, yoga has become an integral part of LBBC, since it offers physical and mental health benefits, whether a participant is affected by breast cancer or not. We've developed a guide about Yoga and Breast Cancer that details the research on this connection. Most important, yoga is a way for people to come together and experience a community of support. This year's Reach & Raise is unique in that it will be an online yoga practice. While we will not be together physically, we will be together in spirit. .

I'm new to yoga, will I be able to do the class / I'm not flexible / I can't touch my toes / I don't understand Sanskrit?

No worries we don't expect you to be able to do headstands or even a downward-facing dog (or to know what that is)! We ensure this class is accessible to everyone, from the newbie to the experienced yogi. We even have assistant instructors that can help modify the moves to suit your level of ability and comfort. This class is more about community support and less about touching your toes and doing back bends.

Yoga means unity, and that's what this event is all about!

 

 

Registration Questions

What's included in the registration donation?

This year, the registration fee will be 100% tax deductible.  This donation will give you access to the very special yoga practice we are curating for the Reach & Raise community which you will be able to access via computer, smart phone, or tablet.  We have always uplifted each other by coming together to create and share in a powerful event together.  As the public and the world responds to COVID-19, we are not able to join in person but will come together.

This year, more than any other, we are expanding that definition of community and what support looks like. Women with breast cancer need us.

Where can I register?

Visit Reachandraise.org. You will then be directed to the registration form where you can register as an individual, start or join a team.

Once you choose your city, you will be asked to “Join a Team” or “Register as an Individual.” Click “Join a Team” and search for the team name or the name of the captain of the team you want to join. Then, just follow the steps to register!

What is a virtual yoga event?

The Virtual Yoga event is a program designed to broadcast live online. You can participate as an individual, or create or join a team. Everyone who registers will be send a link to participate. The instructor will create an easy to follow, inspirational class, complete with modifications for those who may need them.

When you join Reach & Raise, you are joining a community that supports those affected by breast cancer. We fundraise in support of Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s mission and programs that help over 600,000 women and their families annually.

 

I want to register someone else on my computer, but the site won't let me because I'm already registered.

The Reach & Raise website "remembers" you on your computer. If you want to register someone else, you'll have to log out first, and then start the process again, using a new email address.

I registered as an individual, but now I want to join a team.

You can now join a team through your Participant Center!

  • First, sign in to the site using your username and password by clicking the "Login" link at the top-right of the page.
  • Once signed in, this link will change to say "Welcome back, [YOUR NAME]". Click on the “Go to your Participant Center” link to the right. This will bring you to “Your Events” page. Find the event you are registered for, and click on it.
  • On the right side of the "Home" page of your Participant Center, click on the "Change Team Membership" link. This will take you to the "Change Team Membership" page.
  • Here (with the "Join a team" option clicked), enter the team and/or captain information into one or more of the fields, then press the "Search" button.
  • From the search results, choose the team you'd like to join by clicking the "Join Team" link. On the next page, click "Confirm Team Membership" to complete your request.

If you have joined a team but would like to change to an individual: Follow the steps above, clicking the "Participate as an individual" option on the "Change Team Membership" page. Click "Continue" and then "Confirm Individual Participation" to complete your request.

Can my kids attend Reach & Raise?

Yes! Reach & Raise is an all ages event. Anyone can grab a matt and join! 

Can I upload a photo to my Team or Personal Page?

On personal pages, you can upload up to two photos and one video. On team pages, you can upload a single photo.

Images can be uploaded from your computer or via your mobile device, and must be in the format of a .gif, .jpg or .png file. Images must be under 6,000,000 pixels (calculated by multiplying width and height in pixels).

Please note that the resolution of many mobile devices exceeds this size limitation.

To resize your photos in IOS devices:

  • From the Photos app, select the photo(s) you want to resize then tap on the "Share" option (the little arrow icon).
  • Choose "Mail" and select your own email as the recipient to resize the photo and share it with yourself.
  • Tap on "Send" to bring about the resize options, and choose either the "Small" (320×240) or "Medium" (640×480) resolution option.
  • After you receive the email, tap and hold on the photo to save them to your IOS device. The newly resized version can then be uploaded to your personal or team page via your Fundraising Center.

To resize your photos in Android devices:

  1. From the Gallery app, select the photo(s) you want to resize then tap on the "Edit" option (the little pencil icon).
  2. Next click on the "More Options" menu (the three dots icon) and choose "Export". Resize your image by decreasing the pixel ratio (something around 640X480 should do the trick) and click "Done".
  3. A copy of your resized photo should be saved in your Gallery app and can then be uploaded to your personal or team page via your Fundraising Center.
  4. To resize your photos from a desktop computer, use an image editing program like Photoshop or Paint to resize your image before uploading it.
 

Fundraising Questions

Do I have to fundraise?

To help deliver more and constantly improved support and programming to those affected by breast cancer, we count on all Reach & Raise participants to fundraise. There is no minimum fundraising requirement; however, we encourage participants to set a goal of $250 or more. Once registered, you can set your own team and individual fundraising goals and you'll have access to tips and tools to help you get started.

We know that this is a difficult time for all.  This year, your fundraising will directly support LBBC’s programs, services, and information specifically for women facing breast cancer as well as the changing conditions related to COVID-19.

I’ve never fundraised before; will I be able to do it?

We provide you with time-tested the tips, tools, and fundraising support to help you  reach your fundraising goals. When registering, you will receive access to fundraising page, and we provide you with an online fundraising toolkit and support.

Your fundraising page should be personalized and we can provide information on how to start an email or social media campaign. Many participants raise a majority of their fundraising commitment through these efforts.  Some registrants leverage corporate sponsorships and matching gift programs as well.  LBBC staff members are always available to assist with ideas and answer questions.

Are donations tax deductible?

All donations are tax deductible in the same calendar year your donation was processed to the extent allowed by law. Please work with your tax professional to determine what deductions you are eligible for. For your records, our tax ID number is 23-2734689.

Is my registration fee tax deductible?

For this year’s special edition of Reach & Raise, your registration fee will be 100% tax deductible.

My fundraising total in my Participant Center doesn't match what I know I turned in.

Due to guidelines surrounding the current situation, the LBBC office is currently closed, and staff is working remotely.  As a result, donations that are mailed in may take, several weeks to process check or cash donations and display fundraising totals on your Participant Center. If it’s been less than two weeks since you mailed in donations, please log back into your Participant Center at a later date to check your fundraising total. If more than four weeks have passed since you mailed your donations, or you have additional questions about your fundraising total, please contact Maddie at mpfeiffer@lbbc.org. If you would like to see your donations immediately, encourage your supporters to donate online.

What is a Personal Page?

A personal page is a unique personal webpage provided to you for use when asking your friends and family to join your team or to make a donation. You have a default page created for you, but you can personalize this page with your own story by signing in to your Participant Center

How do I update my Personal Page?

A personalized fundraising page will help you raise more money – and it is easy to do! You can change the title of your page, update the body of the page with your personal story and appeal, and add photos to your page. Be sure to hit the save button after you personalize.

Can I send emails through my Participation Center?

YES! We encourage you to do so as it is a proven way to raise money. In the Participation Center, you can click on the Email tab. In the email tab, we have several emails to choose from, including Thank You, Solicitation, or other. Select the type of email you want to send and hit next at the bottom of the screen. Choose the contacts from your address book. If you have not imported contacts, you can enter each separately or import contacts from another source. Preview your email and then send.  Feel free to personalize the emails with your own messages.

How can I see who has donated to me?

Sign in to your Participant Center to be taken to the "Home" page of your Participant Center. At the top of the page will be the Participant Center navigation tabs ("Home" will be highlighted) click on "Progress" in the top navigation menu to be taken to your Personal Progress Report, at the very bottom of which will be your donation receipt history.

How do I change my personal goal?

Sign in to your Participant Center to be taken to the "Home" page of your Participant Center. Under your fundraising progress bar will be your fundraising total and fundraising goal click the "change" link under your fundraising goal.

Remember, our Fundraising Tools can make fundraising easy and fun!

How do I change my team name or team goal?

Your team captain can change the team name and goal by signing in to their Participant Center. To change the team's name, click the "Team Page" tab on the Participant Center's navigation menu at the top of the page. On the Team Page will be a sidebar on the right with team name, team company, and team division details, with an "Edit" link; click the "Edit" link to change any of these details, then click "Update" when finished to save the changes.

To change the team's fundraising goal, click the "Progress" tab on the Participant Center's navigation menu at the top of the page. On the Progress page at the top-right will be two buttons; click the "Team" button to be presented with the team's progress statistics. Below the Team Progress bar will be the team's total fundraising and fundraising goal. Click the "change" link under the fundraising goal to modify the team's goal.

Where can I mail in checks?

Living Beyond Breast Cancer
40 Monument Road, Suite 104
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Make sure to include your name or that of your team on the memo line so we can make sure to credit you and count the donation towards your overall fundraising total.  Please note that the office is closed, so checks may take additional time to process.

Can I mail in cash?

Please deposit any cash donations into your bank account and write a check or make a donation online, making sure to include the contact information for the original donor. This will help to ensure safe arrival of your donation and proper receipting to your generous donor. And of course, you can always turn in any cash donations the morning of the event at registration.

 

Sponsor and Exhibitor Questions

How do I become a Reach & Raise sponsor?

Please contact Kim Pacini, Interim Manager, Fundraising Events at kpacini@lbbc.org or at (484) 434-8301. We work with great sponsors like Lilly, Genentech and Independence Blue Cross that make Reach & Raise possible. We'd love to talk with you about making a partnership work!

Will there be exhibitors at this year's event?

Since this year’s event will be virtual, we will not be hosting Namaste Village, our inperson health and wellness expo.  If you are interested in connecting with our participants with a special offer, please contact Kim Pacini, Interim Manager, Fundraising Events at kpacini@lbbc.org or (484) 434-8301