Company Team Kit
Create a Company Team
To get started, download our company team kit for more information.Every year, in communities across the country, thousands of people Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. With more than 50 events nationwide each year, PurpleStride is one of the largest sources of funding for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Please join our movement by creating one or more employee teams to participate in this inspiring event!
How your company can support employees' fundraising efforts:
- Match employees' fundraising dollars.
- Provide incentive prizes for the individual and/or team that raises the most money.
- Recognize team captains and top fundraisers online and in the office. Provide space for team meetings.
- Engage company leadership to walk with employees — great for visibility and morale!
- Promote the event on company bulletin boards and newsletters.
- Online fundraising site with invitation templates
- Customizable personal and team pages
- Team and individual fundraising recognition and incentives
- Printable fundraising and event materials to display
- Top teams can receive a VIP Team tent with a personal event-day concierge, event website and social media inclusion, and on-stage recognition
- Great team-building activity
- Community visibility as a company that cares
- Leadership opportunity for employees
- Natural opportunities for friendly competition between branches, departments, offices, etc.
- Enjoy special event marketing and day-of recognition
Maximize Your Company Team
Thank you for joining PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer! Your company team can help people impacted by pancreatic cancer by fundraising to support our programs to improve outcomes and find better treatment options. And we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Resources we provide:
- Online fundraising site with pre-written invitations to participate and/or donate
- Customizable personal and team pages
- Sample media outreach material
- Recruitment posters
- Include a notice in the company newsletter.
- Make a company-wide presentation.
- Offer an incentive for all who join.
- Host a social gathering for early recruits and ask them to bring a friend.
- Send regular email or newsletter updates reporting progress.
- Post ads on the company intranet.
- Distribute a press release announcing the company’s involvement.
- Offer incentives for team members to fundraise and recruit additional participants.
A few ideas: Jeans day, lunch with the CEO, paid time off, gift cards. Get creative with your rewards for fundraisers! - Use a simple spreadsheet to track participants progress.
- Designate a meeting spot in advance.
- Encourage your team to get out the purple in a unique way (e.g. sunglasses, wigs, or socks).
- Print customized company sign to carry proudly at the event.
- In addition to top team benefits, teams can also qualify for Passion or Elite Team status if fundraising minimums are met. Check the Team Benefits Page for full details.
- Enjoy special event marketing and day-of recognition
Create your team page
To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Select a Team Captain. The Captain must register first and create the team before members can join.
The Team Captain should register to Create a Team, and if you have participated in the past, be sure to register as a returning participant (If you can't remember your username or password, you can select "Email me my login").
- Choose a team name and fundraising goal. Show us why you stride with your team name, and let us know how much you can raise to end pancreatic cancer! Don't forget to choose your company from the dropdown list. If your company is not in the list, please contact corporaterelations@pancan.org for assistance.
- Complete your registration and Log in. Go through the rest of the registration process, where you'll select your participation type and enter additional details, and gain access to My Strider Central. Hint: There is a log in button at top right of the website.
- Personalize your team page. Select “Personal Page” or “Team Page” to upload a photo and add your personal or team story. Your story tells people why you stride and why you started your team. Our research shows that people who personalize their page raise three times more than those who don’t.
For more information on how to personalize your page, see our helpful how-to guide. - Invite friends, coworkers and family to join you! Email, Facebook or tweet everyone you know and invite them to race and fundraise with you.
PurpleStride App
Download our fundraising app by searching for “PurpleStride” in the iTunes app store or Google Play Store, or use our app on Facebook.
This app is a great way to inspire your network, and team, to take action in the fight against pancreatic cancer. It also features customized messages that make recruitment easy.
Send Emails
You can use the PurpleStride App to send recruitment messages, and you can also send template messages through My HQ.
Make a list of people you know and decide who you'd like to recruit to join your team and who to target as donors.
Subject: Join my PurpleStride team today
More than 57,600 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers, at just 10%.
I’ve stepped up to Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. Will you help us rewrite the future of this disease by joining my team today?
By taking part in PurpleStride, you help us move closer to achieving our urgent goal of accelerating progress for patients.
Purple ribbons aren't enough. Please join the fight today.
[Insert your Team page link]
Thank you!
Subject: Help me re-write the future of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers, at just 10%. This deadly disease has stolen our best and our brightest, but it can’t take away our determination.
I’ve stepped up to Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. I’m striding for [Insert who or why you’re passionate about the fight].
Your donation funds vital pancreatic cancer research and free services for patients and their families.
Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join me in the fight today.
[Insert your personal page link]
Thank you!
Subject: Join me in the fight against pancreatic cancer!
A while ago I sent you an email telling you about my involvement with PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. This horrible disease kills more people than breast cancer and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S.
It's up to us to fight for the more than 57,600 Americans who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.
Will you join me by making a donation or turning out to participate on event day?
Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join me in the fight today.
[Insert your personal page link]
Thank you!
Subject: Your action speaks volumes. Thank you.
Thank you for joining me in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Your action moves mountains for the thousands of families affected by this disease each year.
Are you looking for more ways to get involved in this urgent cause? Read more about PurpleStride, explore volunteer opportunities with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and track my progress toward meeting my fundraising goal.
Will you join me by making a donation or turning out to participate on event day?
Purple ribbons don’t rewrite the future of this disease. You do. Thank you.
Use Social Media
You can use the PurpleStride App to share your progress and recruit friends on social media, try some of our suggested posts below, or come up with your own! Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Sample Posts
- Tag friends and ask them to join you.
@John Smith and @Maggie Jones - I just signed up for PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer! Will you join [TEAM NAME] and stride with me? #PurpleStride #WageHope - Remind people what their fundraising goes toward.
I am striding to fight #PancreaticCancer at #PurpleStride! #WageHope with me by joining my team — every dollar we raise helps change the course of history for pancreatic cancer. [link to team page] - Remember, even if people can't join your team, they may be willing to donate.
A cup of coffee and a muffin can cost over $5! Give up your treats for today and donate $5 to help fight #PancreaticCancer. Help me reach my goal of [$goal amount] by donating now! [link to personal fundraising page]
Hint: Posts with photos always get more attention, so add a photo to your post to make it stand out!
Facebook has also created useful “How To” pages.
Facebook Help
Twitter is a great place to post quick notes to remind people that you're participating in PurpleStride. Remember to use #PurpleStride, #WageHope, and #PancreaticCancer
Sample Posts:
- #WhyIStride: for [my mom, dad, brother, sister, friend…]. Please join my team at @PanCAN #PurpleStride [City] Register now: [link to team page]
- Join me in the fight against #PancreaticCancer at @PanCAN #PurpleStride [City]! Register at www.purplestride.org
- A cup of coffee can cost almost $5! Instead, donate $5 today to help fight #PancreaticCancer! [link to fundraising page]
Use Instagram to show your journey to PurpleStride through pictures.
Sample Posts (don't forget to put a link to your fundraising page in your profile!)
- [Photo of why you stride]
#WhyIStride: for [my mom, dad, brother, sister, friend…]. Please join my team at @PanCAN #PurpleStride [City] Register now (link in profile) - [photo from PurpleStride]
Join me in the fight against #PancreaticCancer at #PurpleStride [City]! Register now! (link in profile) - [Take a screenshot of your team's fundraising progress]
I am striding to fight #PancreaticCancer at #PurpleStride! Join [Team Name] and help us reach our goal! (link in profile)
Host an Event
Some of our most successful fundraising teams have reached big fundraising goals by hosting a wrap around event in addition to asking friends and family for donations.
A wrap around event is a "do-it-yourself" fundraising effort that supports PurpleStride. The funds you raise can be applied to your individual fundraising page, team fundraising page or the event overall.
- Help your team meet its goal.
- Engage your friends and family in a fun way year-round.
- Provide an opportunity for people to get involved that can't attend PurpleStride.
Looking for inspiration? Check out these fundraising event ideas:
- Jeans day at work. Ask your supervisor to approve a jeans day for any person who donates.
- Game night. Charge friends $5 for admission.
- Chili cook-off, ice cream social, bake sale. Everyone loves food; charge an entry fee if you're doing a contest, or just charge for the treats!
- Scavenger hunt. Hide treats in your community and send friends on an adventure - charge a $5 fee for entry.
- Sports tournament. From dodgeball to volleyball to golf, the possibilities are endless.
- Lemonade or Hot Cocoa Stand Get the neighborhood (or your office!) involved by offering refreshments for a small fee. Customize by season!
- Exercise class challenge. Include your yoga, zumba, spin class in your efforts.
- Talent show or dance marathon. No explanation necessary — show off your skills in exchange for donations.
Motivate Your Team
Start planning early to make reaching your team goal easier. By splitting up the larger goal, everyone on the team can help achieve it!
Work with your team to set realistic checkpoints along the way.
Reward team members who hit their checkpoints (a batch of cookies, a congratulatory card, a shout-out on Facebook, etc.).
Create challenges to encourage a little friendly competition (i.e. "The first team member to reach $100 raised will get a $5 Starbucks card!").
Send weekly encouragement messages to your team to let them know how the team is progressing.
Split your captain duties among a few dependable volunteers. One can be in charge of social media, one can make up challenges, one can send weekly emails to the team, etc.
Subject Line: Challenge: Accepted
Hi [TEAM NAME]
Thank you for all of your hard work! I cannot thank you all enough for your purple passion! We are only [NUMBER OF DAYS] days away from the event, which means it's time to start planning your purple sparkle spirit outfit for event day.
[TEAM NAME] Update: [NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS] and $[AMOUNT RAISED]! We are still [PERCENTAGE AWAY FROM GOAL] away from our goal of $[GOAL AMOUNT], so we can't stop now! Try out some of the sample text messages and Facebook posts available on the PurpleStride App to make fundraising quick and easy!
Today's Challenge: Send out an e-mail to at least 5 people inviting them to PurpleStride. The first person to forward me all of their sent e-mails will win a $5 gift card to [Smoothie/Coffee Shop]!
Best of luck!
Your captain,
[YOUR NAME]
Gear Up
- Communicate packet pickup info (if you will pick up for the team, make sure you let them know).
- Encourage your team to show their purple spirit! Wear purple wigs, glasses, scarves, etc.
- Remind the team to bring in any last-minute donations and dress for the weather.
- Pick a meeting place for event day and hold a team "huddle" to share who you stride for.
- Make sure to get a team photo before the event! Don't forget to share your team photo on Social Media with #PurpleStride.
Send Thank Yous
Make sure to thank your team and your donors. Give donor shout-outs along the way - tag people in your thank you’s on Facebook.
Thanks, Jane Doe for your generous donation to my #PurpleStride team!
Send personalized messages or letters to donors and team members. Or, thank your donors using the PurpleStride App.
Subject Line: Thank you for helping me Wage Hope!
Dear [DONOR NAME]
Thank you for your donation to my team's fundraising for PurpleStride [LOCATION NAME]. As you know, the fight against pancreatic cancer is a cause that is near and dear to my heart because [ADD PERSONAL CONNECTION].
PurpleStride [LOCATION NAME] was an inspiring and unforgettable day for me and thousands of others who have been touched by this terrible disease. It was amazing to see the fighting spirit of the purple crowd at PurpleStride [LOCATION NAME].
Your donation will help change the course of history for pancreatic cancer by funding research grants, advocacy efforts, patient support and awareness activities coordinated by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Thank you for your support,
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Subject Line: Thanks for being on [Team Name]
Dear [TEAMMATE NAME]
Thank you for joining [TEAM NAME] for PurpleStride [LOCATION NAME] this year! Thank you for all of your purple passion; you were a huge part of the success of our team!
It was amazing to experience the fighting spirit of the purple crowd that took over [VENUE NAME]. I hope that PurpleStride was an inspiring day for you and that you'll join us again next year.
Let's celebrate the success of our team! We are having a team party on [MEETING DATE/TIME] at [LOCATION] for [DINNER, DRINKS, ETC]. Please let me know if you can make it!
Thanks again for all of your hard work!
Best,
[YOUR NAME]
