CureSearch Ultimate Hike Austin

Tonight is the first information session about the upcoming Ultimate Hike in central Texas.  If  you're up for a once in a lifetime adventure and take your physical goals to another level, check out Ultimate Hike!

On February 11, 2012, you will hike 28.3 miles of the Lone Star Trail.
The first information session is tonight at:

Tuesday, October 18 6:30pm
Whole Earth Provision Co.
4477 S. Lamar
Austin, TX

Check out the list of the other available info. sessions.

What is Ultimate Hike?

Ultimate Hike is characterized as one that consumes most of the day in a challenging adventure with a spectacular natural setting. This is a true ultimate challenge - in this program you will hike 15 - 35 miles in one day while you help raise money towards finding a cure for children's cancer, the #1 cause of death by disease in children.

Is There a Fee to Participate?

Each ultimate hiker is asked to raise a minimum amount of funds to cover their expenses and to help CureSearch continue its mission to fund and support children's cancer research.

What's Included in my Experience?

• Hotel Accommodations for two nights.
• Transportation to and from the Trail on Hike Day.
• Specialized 12-14 week training program including a daily workout calendar and bi-weekly group hikes.
• Trail support at three locations throughout your journey: hydration, energy bars, first aid and much more.
• Ultimate Hike Wicking Shirt.
• Pre-Hike Pasta Party to carb load before the big day.
• Post-Hike Victory Breakfast to celebrate your success.

How Will I Reach My Goals?

CureSearch will provide a personalized fundraising webpage for all hike participants, as well as fundraising materials, tips and advice. You will be supported every step of the way. Each ultimate hiker will be provided with a specialized training program and will be invited to bi-weekly training sessions.

Continue to CureSearch

It's hard to believe the walk has come and gone!  Donations continued to trickle in and the current total for the 3rd Annual Austin CureSearch Walk is over $93,500.  Last year the Austin walk raised $45,000; way to go Austin!
If you want to contribute to CureSearch more than just at the annual walk, there are many ways to do so!

• You can donate anytime on the CureSearch website!
• If you work for a state agency in Texas, CureSearch is listed among the SECC (State Employees Charitable Campaign) where you can contribute directly from your paycheck.
• Donate a portion of your auction or purchase on ebay.  Any eBay seller can use eBay Giving Works to donate 10% to 100% of their item's final sale price to CureSearch, and get a credit on their Insertion and Final Value fees. On the listing, buyers will see a banner with information about CureSearch, a link to the eBay Giving Works page, and the percentage of the final sale price the seller is donating.
• Need to order Christmas Cards?  Check out CardsforCauses and 20% of your order is donated to CureSearch!
• The next time you need to order flowers, choose Austin's Freytag's Florist.  With each order a customer can make a 5% donation to CureSearch by selecting the "Helping Hands" pull down menu on the order form and choosing CureSearch.

Know of a retailer, restaurant etc. that supports non-profits that you don't see on this list?  Spread the word about the amazing work that CureSearch is doing and ask them to join the fight against pediatric cancer!

Way to Go Austin!

I can't believe the 3rd Annual Austin CureSearch Walk is almost here!  Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has been busy here in Austin!  We've had proceeds nights at Cypress Grill and Schlotzsky's and had lots of support from other local businesses.  It has been amazing to see churches, neighborhoods and schools fundraising for Curesearch.

As of 2PM today, the walk has already raised over $76,000!  You might not know this but the goal was set at $58,000 and our fantastic city blew that out of the water!  Thank you everyone for your hard work and dedication to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.

We still have one more proceeds night at all Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park and Georgetown Schlotzsky's next Wednesday September 28th from 4-10PM.  Hope to see you there!

Tonight is a very special evening.  Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will present CureSearch Walk Committee Member Lisa Molina and her son Thomas with a Childhood Cancer Awareness Month proclomation at the City Council Meeting.  5:30PM, Austin City Hall.  As we all know, awareness is the first step so it's very important that our government entities are aware that kids get cancer too and research is needed now!

Since my last blog entry, we have also had new in-kind sponsors step up to help the Austin CureSearch Walk! 

Thank you HEB for your very generous donation which is allowing us to provide juice, fruit, cupcakes etc. to make Saturday a truly fun morning for all in attendance.

This week we learned that CureSearch was approved as a beneficiary of The University of Texas Club's annual charity fundraiser which is also taking place this Saturday, September 24.  The casino-themed event will take place from 6:30-10PM and costs $40.  100% of proceeds go to CureSearch as well as two other non-profits.  See the Club website for more information.

Thank you Abrakadoodle for the generous donation which will be awarded to one of our top fundraising teams!

Get Excited!

View of Mueller Lake from the Browning Hangar.

Team Captains should check in at the registration table in the hangar.  Everyone will receive a CureSearch bandana.  If you've raised $100 or more you'll receive a CureSearch t-shirt! Team captains will pick up your claim ticket and then you can come up to the registration area to pick up the size you need. 

If your team has any cash donations, they'll need to be in the CureSearch envelope sent to your team captain.  Extras will be at the registration table.  Please turn this in as soon as you arrive so it can be counted towards your team total.

Don't Forget:

3rd Annual Austin CureSearch Walk

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Registration and check in begins at 8AM

Opening Ceremonies begin at 9AM

4550 Mueller Blvd.

Austin, TX 78723

Public parking will be at the "corner" of Aldrich St. and Simond Ave.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Thank you so much to the Austin-area Schlotzsky's restaurants for their donation of 500 bottles of water for walk participants and volunteers!  We are touched that EVERY single Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Georgetown locations are participating in proceed events which will donate 20% of sales to the walk!  Eat Schlotzsky's on Sept. 14, 21, 28!

The Westin Austin at the Domain has been kind enough to donate two rooms to families with children fighting cancer who are traveling from other areas of Texas to attend the Austin walk!  In addition, the Westin has donated a one night weekend stay which will be awarded to a top fundraiser!  Stop by their Facebook page and say thanks from CureSearch!

The Austin CureSearch Walk can always count on A Trip to Bountiful owner, Becky to support us!  (Not to mention, FEED us yummy snacks on the day of the walk!)  Stop by her bakery in Westlake or the Bee Cave location and thank them for supporting us!  They're also on Facebook!

We are excited to start a new Austin CureSearch Walk tradition!  On Tuesday September 13, Cypress Grill in South Austin will also be holding a proceeds night benefitting the walk!  20% of sales will be donated!  A few of the walk committee members will be on hand this evening and we'd love for you to come say hello!  Visit the Cypress Grill Facebook page to thank them for supporting CureSearch!

Everyone at the walk will receive a coupon for a free cookie from Potbelly!  Thanks for your support!

Mr. Chad Freytag of Freytag's Florist was kind enough to donate a $50 gift card that we can award a top fundraiser!  In addition, he has also approved the addition of CureSearch to their Helping Hands Program.  During every purchase, customers can choose a non-profit to receive 5% of the order total and CureSerch as been added to this list!  Help me say thank you!

Can you think of a restaurant that might be willing to donate a portion of proceeds to the Austin CureSearch walk?  The Walk Committee is also still in need of balloons, helium and food for the walk.  If you can help, leave a comment on the blog or email Sarah at austincuresearchwalk@gmail.com.  Thank you for making the 3rd Annual Austin CureSearch Walk a success!

Welcome

Welcome to the Austin CureSearch Walk blog!  Your walk committee has been hard at work since early this spring to make sure that the 3rd Annual Austin CureSearch walk is a huge success!  This year the fundraising goal has been set at $58,000 and as of today our fabulous teams have already raised almost $39,500.  Can we get to $60,000 by September 24?

There are currently 26 teams signed up and just under 200 walkers.  To help recruit for the walk and spread the word about childhood cancer awareness month, multiple events will be taking place around town.  Check back often to view the calendar on the blog main page!

Just to highlight a few:

• Tuesday September 13th will be CureSearch night at Cypress Grill!  20% of the evening's proceeds will benefit the Austin CureSearch Walk so please come out for dinner, Tuesdays are "Shrimptacular" and multiple shrimp specials are available!
• Wednesday(s) September 14, 21, 28 ALL Austin-area Schlotzsky's locations will donate 20% of your total purchase to the CureSearch Walk when you tell them you're with CureSearch!  Austin, Round, Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Georgetown are included, 4-10PM!  Find a location near you!
• During the Austin City Council meeting on Thursday September 22, Mayor Lee Leffingwell will present a childhood cancer awareness poclamation.
• The CureSearch Walk is Saturday September 24, registration begins at 8AM and opening ceremonies kick off at 9AM!  We can't wait to see you there!