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Alphas, families and friends learn how to raise Alpha-1 awareness, funds for research at Building Friends for a Cure training program
NEEDHAM, MA—Alphas, their family members and friends learned the nuts and bolts of raising both awareness of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and funds for Alpha-1 research at the Alpha-1 Foundation Building Friends for a Cure training last week.
The trainees learned the best and easiest ways to get involved. At the end of the program, they walked away with the tools they need to raise funds for Alpha-1 research in their communities.
Angela McBride talks about Building Friends for a Cure.
Foundation Director of Development Angela McBride introduced Friday’s day-long training with a talk on the current state of Alpha-1 research and the history of the Building Friends for a Cure program.
She outlined event organizing, including how to choose an event (make sure it’s something you’re comfortable with!), recruiting friends, family and others to help, how to get donations and find sponsors, budgeting, paperwork, and getting help from the Foundation staff.
Michelle Naples tells the group how to set up a “Firstgiving” website page.
Development Administrator Michelle Naples talked about her strategies for the Foundation’s first “5K Walk Miami” in November.
She also showed how to set up a “Firstgiving” page as an easy and helpful tool in any awareness or fundraising effort.
Communications Manager Bob Campbell talked about getting publicity and dealing with all kinds of media.
Some of the BFC training group listen to event planning tips.
Communications Specialist Laura Fleming gave tips on social media such as Facebook. She used the “Rock on for a Cure” event to show how to aim publicity for an event at the ideal audience—in this case, young people already involved in computer games.
Two experienced volunteers talked to the group about their experiences.
Sheila Favazza discussed the Celtic Connection fundraising dinner and organizing its silent auction; Fred Walsh talked about the annual Escape to the Cape bike ride on Cape Cod.
Fred Walsh talks about Escape to the Cape and helping to organize other Alpha-1 events.
Foundation President & CEO John Walsh presented the new BFC trainees with their graduation certificates and spoke to the group about the importance of their work in both getting out the Alpha-1 message and helping to support Alpha-1 research programs.
Then Saturday night, the new BFC training graduates teamed up with committee members for the Celtic Connection.
They watched the organizers in action, assisted with preparations and the event itself, and enjoyed an evening of Irish music, dancing and a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
Pam Vanscoy receives her Building Friends for a Cure training certificate from John Walsh.
All the graduates plan to organize their own community event within the next year, using their newly-acquired knowledge.
The training graduates came from all over the country:
Julia Torres Barden from Ohio; Sarah Bradly from Iowa; Mindy and Neal Catron from South Carolina; Tom Corron from Iowa; Judi Kaplan Elkin from Massachusetts; Peg and Peter Iverson from Iowa; Ken Richmond from Virginia; Sandy Ringgard from Massachusetts; Lucinda Shore from Tennessee; Troy Sutherland from Iowa; Timothy and Desiree Truett from Arizona; Pam Vanscoy from Virginia; and Jay Whitmore from Georgia.
The new graduates of the Alpha-1 Foundation’s Building Friends for a Cure training program.
