fund raising idea's?

[Brandi]

I have been posting in the health section about my niece. She was diagnosed last week with huntington's desease at age 18. It is very progressive and they have given her from 5 to 20 years to live. But considering how fast her symptoms are coming on it is not looking like the latter. We have cried many tears this week. And when the 2nd opinion came confirming it...well you can imagine.
So to the point, I have done a ton of reading and it turns out there are only 30,000 diagnosed americans who actually have this desease so because of that research is not top of list here. Which is sad but they have other things to work on and I understand that.
So I was at my lbs the other day and asked Mark (owner,mechanic etc..) if he would be willing to do a bike ride for huntingtons desease? He said oh yes definatly just to let him know when and how etc.. and he would love to be a part of it.
I have never done anything like this. Has anyone here ever organized a fund raiser ride. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I was thinking you know the entre fee could all go to the huntington's research etc.. I could print up flyers and hang up around town. Or is there a way to go through some other organization that helps you set this up?
We have so many wonderful places we can organize a ride at where we live so that is not an issue at all and we have like 6 bike stores I could hit up and get to put up flyers for it.
Thank you for any input you gals can give me. And please send healing thoughts.

[KnottedYet]

My first thought would be to ask the LBS's if they know of any hospital-sponsored fundraising rides. Then contact that hospital for info or help.

Perhaps you could contact the medical folks working with your neice?

Several of the hospitals around here sponsor rides. If a hospital near you does rides and has staff dedicated to publicity/educational/fundraising events like that you might be able to get a lot of help.

Do you have any contacts within a Huntington's support group or foundation?

[Brandi]

That is a really good suggestion knotted. i will look into it. I live in a really small county far from big city's. But maybe.....

[Trek420]

If you live in a rural area away from the big city that might be the perfect place to have a ride :D But it is huge to do that on your own.

Another idea is not to re-invent the wheel. There are rides where you fundraise for any non profit. In other words they are not centered around one beneficiary, you choose your own. I think the "Human Race" is one example of those. You may be able to find one near you or go to one:

www.marinhumanrace.org

[Brandi]

If you live in a rural area away from the big city that might be the perfect place to have a ride :D But it is huge to do that on your own.

Another idea is not to re-invent the wheel. There are rides where you fundraise for any non profit. In other words they are not centered around one beneficiary, you choose your own. I think the "Human Race" is one example of those. You may be able to find one near you or go to one:

www.marinhumanrace.org
Oh thank you i wll look into that too.

[Mr. Bloom]

Media Coverage with a human interest component

Remember, people get the activity, but sponsorships and human interest raise the money.