Goals
The goals of Miles for Melanoma (MFM) are to increase awareness for melanoma and to raise money to support melanoma research. DIGA recently committed to a total fundraising goal of $50,000 for the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Rationale
Melanoma is the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer and it is growing at epidemic proportions. The incidence is greater than that of HIV/AIDS. It is therefore important to make the general population aware of the significance of the disease and to teach them about screening.
Focus
Miles for Melanoma is directed toward the general population.
Accomplishments
Starting in 2003, the DIG at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) organized a Miles for Melanoma campaign for the Akron Road Runner Marathon in Akron, OH and repeated the program again in 2004. There were 20 runners in total who participated, running a total of 105 miles, and raised over $3,000. The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine DIG has organized the campaign for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon on April 30th, 2005 in Nashville, TN. In this campaign, there were 13 runners, who ran a total of 259 miles and the total funds raised was $3,737.
In 2006, the Miles for Melanoma Program has expanded to 5 different schools around the country, including University of California, San Francisco, The Ohio State University, Case-Western Reserve University, NEOUCOM, and Vanderbilt University. In the summer of 2006, Melanoma Research Foundation held a special Fundraising Training Weekend for Dermatology Interest Groups (DIGs) who expressed interest in starting or improving a Miles for Melanoma program. The weekend provided valuable tips for successful fundraising.
Details
DIGs recruit runners in local marathons and half marathons to run on their behalf. In the weeks to months prior to the race, letters and/or pamphlets are prepared and distributed to family, friends, and the local community. A sample letter and pamphlet can be found on our website. The letter/pamphlet should include information about melanoma, your race, and why you are running for this cause. Your fundraising letter should be as personal as possible.
Logistics
Thinking about organizing a Miles for Melanoma program at your school?
1. One member from your school’s Dermatology Interest Group should organize the event. Look to find a marathon in your area.
2. Start at least 7 months before the race date. You want to leave 5 months for your runners to train and a month or two to get the program organized beforehand.
3. Once you decide to start a Miles for Melanoma program, please contact kaerli.christensen@derminterest.org or angie.ng@derminterest.org so that we can note it in our records and inform Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) that a school will be fundraising for them. We can also serve as a great resource for you as questions or issues arise.
4. Recruit runners and staff – put up a booth at your school’s activity fair during orientation or send out a mass email to the students at your school. Be sure to recruit non-runner MFM committee members - having non-runners who are willing to help is useful, especially on race day. A record of the names of the committee members and runners should be made and reported to the Community Service Director (service@derminterest.org).
5. Hold an introductory meeting for those interested. Make sure to advertise the meeting well with posters or emails! Have information sheets available at the meeting (i.e. information about Melanoma Research Foundation and Miles for Melanoma, about the chosen marathon, fundraising expectations and tips, a sample training schedule, waiver of liability).
7. Set a fundraising goal for runners in your school. Fundraising is easier than it looks. A few hundred (suggested at least $250-500 per runner) dollars should be suggested for each runner to fundraise*. See our MFM fundraising page. Set the fundraising deadline a few weeks before the race to ensure early fundraising efforts by runners. Of course, donations should still be accepted at any time. (*Keeping in mind that medical students are very busy, DIGA does not want to make it too difficult for students to participate in Miles for Melanoma while still managing the rigors of medical school. Therefore, though while we suggest that each participating runner have an official fundraising goal to reach (suggested $250+), we do not want to exclude anyone from the program if they cannot reach this goal or only want to contribute in a small way. We welcome all support!)
9. Organize some unofficial group runs if possible, especially for the long weekend training runs. It’s tough for people to run more than 13 miles by themselves and group runs are a great way to make new friends and feel like a team! One group run every two weeks is ideal. Find a local trail or park where you can meet during the weekends, and if possible, have people sign in and out so you know everyone is accounted for.
10. Be sure to take pictures of runners and committee members during and after the race. Send them to us at service@derminterest.org.
11. Report - At the end of the campaign, a report should be sent to the Community Service Director (service@derminterest.org). This report should include the total sum of all donations, the number of runners, the names of the runners and organizing committee, and the total distance ran.