Frequently Asked Questions About the Huntsman Hometown Heroes Program 

Q:  How do I register to become a Huntsman Hometown Hero?

A:  To register for the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program, simply go to the Hometown Heroes registration page and click on ‘Register Now.’ The registration fee is $10 for each 5K participant, $25 for each marathon, half marathon, relay, bike tour, and LOTOJA participant.  There is no fee for the "Choose Your Own Adventure" race option.

Q:  What is the "Choose Your Own Adventure" race option?

A:  If you are unable to participate in any of the races that Huntsman Cancer Foundation is offering, including the Salt Lake City Marathon or Ogden Marathon events, or are planning on running another race, this option allows you to still be a part of the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program and take advantage of a fundraising webpage, personal coaching, and the fun team training runs.  Choose your own race and still raise funds for Huntsman Cancer Foundation.  Sign up to be a Huntsman Hometown Hero here and then register for the race of your choice.  With proof of registration, we will credit the registration fee from your race of choice towards your fundraising total (5K - $200, Relay - $350, Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike Tour, etc. - $500).  

Q:  What events are associated with the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program?

A:  The Huntsman Hometown Heroes (HHH) program has grown to include races in the Salt Lake City marathon events, Ogden marathon events, Skinny Tire Festival, Canyonlands Half Marathon, The Other Half, Ragnar Relay - Wasatch Back, St. George Marathon, LOTOJA, and a series of Thanksgiving 5Ks.  The program continues to grow and expand and participants can register for any other endurance event of their choice (in state or out) and raise funds for Huntsman Cancer Foundation while training with the Huntsman Hometown Heroes team.

Q:  Can I participate in multiple HHH events?

A:  Yes.  You are welcome to participate in as many HHH events as you wish.  You will be responsible for fundraising the minimum amount per event.  For example, if you wanted to run the SLC marathon ($500 fundraising minimum) and participate in LOTOJA ($1,000 minimum), your total fundraising minimum would be $1,500 for both events.  For more information, please contact our events team.

Q:  If I've been a HHH in the past, can I use my same username and password to sign up?

A:  Yes!  Please use your same username and password to sign up for any and all HHH events.  If you have forgotten your username and/or password, please contact our events team to reset it for you.

Q:  Do HHHs travel out-of-state?

A:  Huntsman Hometown Heroes travel to many events out-of-state, but due to costs associated with travel and the mission of raising the most money for cancer research possible, we do not subsidize those trips. With proof, we will credit the registration fee from your race of choice towards your fundraising total.  We try to keep our costs down to the absolute minimum to directly benefit cancer research.

Q:  If I register off-line with a form, how do I get my fundraising webpage set up?

A:  As soon as your form is filled out, please return it to a member of the HCF staff.  He/she will then get a username and password set up for you on www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org. You will then receive your own fundraising webpage and be able to login to customize your page.

Q:  How do I get corporate donors involved?

A:  You are more than welcome to approach businesses you think may be interested in donating to HCF through the HHH program. If you have a company in mind, please contact our events team for further details and opportunities.

Q:  How do the checks I receive in-hand show up on my personal fundraising webpage?

A:  Please gather as much information from your donor as possible (name, amount, mailing address, phone, email, etc.) and make sure all checks are made out to Huntsman Cancer Foundation.  You can then to turn it in in-person to any member of the HCF events staff at HCF (500 Huntsman Way, SLC, UT 84108) or mail it in to the same address.  We will then mail your donor a receipt.  Please include a note so we know who to credit the donations to.  Once HCF events staff receives the funds you have raised, he/she will enter your donations directly onto your page for you. Please allow three days from submission for your donations to appear online.

Q:  Where does the HHH team meet on Saturdays?

A:  Beginning on Saturday, October 31, 2009 and on each Saturday morning at 8am to follow, the HHH team will meet for optional training at Sugar House Park (1300 E. 2100 S.) in the parking lot on the south side of the park just up the hill from the pond with team coach Elfi Ortenburger.  Mapped courses complete with mile markers and water stops are made to begin in the park and venture out into the charming Sugar House neighborhoods. 

Q:  What happens if I don’t raise the fundraising minimum?

A:  Upon signing up for the program, each HHH commits to raise the minimum amount ($200 for 5K participants, $350 for relays, $500 for marathon, half marathon, bike tour participants, $1,000 for LOTOJA, etc.) by the Friday before their respective events.  If you do not have the minimum amount raised by that date, you can choose to drop out of the HH program, agree to pay for the remaining balance due, or pay your own registration fee if applicable.  All sign-up fees and donations are nonrefundable.

Q:  Are there any HHH team discounts anywhere?

A:  Yes. There is a team discount of 10% for all registered Huntsman Hometown Heroes only at Wasatch Running Center (8946 S. State St., Sandy, UT 84070)! 

Q:  Why choose HHH over just registering on my own?

A:  The Huntsman Hometown Heroes program allows a participant not only to train for a high-endurance event, but also the opportunity to add that extra level of meaning by raising much-needed funds for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. The HHH program allows participants to build friendships with each other while training and joining together toward a common philanthropic and physical goal. In addition, HCF pays the registration fee for the event of your choice and gives you the opportunity to earn incentive items as a gift for your fundraising efforts.  In turn, you're a hero for cancer research!

Q:  When do I have to have the minimum raised?

A:  All HHH must reach the minimum amount ($200 for 5K participants, $350 for relays, $500 for marathon, half marathon, bike tour participants, $1,000 for LOTOJA, etc.) raised by the Friday before their respective events.  If you do not have the minimum amount raised by that date, you can choose to drop out of the HH program, agree to pay for the remaining balance due, or pay for your own registration fee when applicable.  For more information regarding fundraising deadlines contact the events team. 

Q:  How do I raise the minimum?

A:  When you sign-up for the HHH program, you automatically receive your own fundraising webpage to track donations.  This webpage is a great way to solicit donations.  Simply send your individual link to friends and family in the body of an email.  They then just have to click on the link to be directly linked to your personal page where they can donate right online.  You are welcome to accept cash or checks (made out to Huntsman Cancer Foundation) as well.  Please convert any cash to checks and turn them in directly to HCF offices in-person or by mail (500 Huntsman Way, SLC, UT 84108).  Please be sure to include as much donor information as you can so we can mail them a receipt. 

There are several options to raise the minimum amount ($200 for 5K participants and $500 for marathon, half marathon, bike tour, $350 for relay, $1,000 for LOTOJA).  Besides sending out your link, you can also host a party and charge people at the door, hold a garage sale or a bake sale, etc.  You can approach your work or local businesses for donations as well.  For more ideas, please contact the events team or call (801) 584-5811.

Q:  When do I get my incentive items?

A:  The fundraising deadline to earn any and all incentive items is the Friday before your respective race. i.e. Salt Lake City Marathon is Friday, April 16, 2010 and for the Ogden Marathon is Friday, May 14, 2010.  No exceptions.  You can continue to fundraise after that date, but funds raised will not go towards incentive items.  Also, you can choose to forego any incentive items you choose so the most possible funds can go directly to cancer research.  You will receive your incentive items as soon as possible after your race. 

Q:  Does the team still train on Saturdays during bad weather?

A:  This policy has been designed and implemented for the safety of all runners, walkers, cyclists, and staff and the following information will be used as guidelines in case of severe weather (e.g., icy conditions, slick pavement, extremely cold temperatures): 

Ø       The HCF events staff person and coach will monitor the weather during the week of a long run.

Ø       HCF staff person will check with Coach Elfi one hour and fifteen minutes prior to training time (e.g. 6:45 a.m. for most training runs that begin at 8 a.m.). If there are expected delays due to weather, Coach Elfi will advise and HCF staff person will update an announcement on the Hometown Heroes hotline (801) 584-5815 by 7 a.m. each Saturday. 

Ø       Hometown Heroes participants should check the number (801) 584-5815 at 7 a.m. to hear the coach’s recommendation for that day’s training.

It is not likely that training will be canceled due to cold, rain, or snow. Ice is the concern to avoid accidents due to falling. When in doubt, call the Hometown Heroes hotline at (801) 584-5815.  If you run during a canceled or delayed training session, you are doing so at your own risk.

Q:  I can’t participate anymore; do I get a refund?

A: The Huntsman Hometown Heroes sign-up fee is nonrefundable.  After donations have been submitted to HCF either through your webpage or individually, HCF cannot refund any donations raised for cancer research. 

A:  Most of our Huntsman Hometown Heroes run/walk/ride in honor or in memory of someone who has battled or is currently battling cancer.  Feel free to invite him/her to the training site or team events. Include your hero’s photo and story in your email or letter to raise funds and include information about that person in your update emails. It’s a great idea at the end of your event to send a follow-up email (even if you’ve already sent thank you notes) to your donors to update them on your event and how your hero is doing.

Q:  To create a team, is it better to set up our webpage as a team site or as an individual site?  If we set it up as a team site, is there a way to allocate certain funds to certain team members if we choose not to do the social-networking?

A:  We encourage each team member to raise his/her own funds as he/she is ultimately responsible for his/her individual commitment to the program.  That said, if your team agrees in advance and works together on team fundraisers such as car washes, bake sales and events, you can let us know how you’d like those funds allocated.

 Q:  What amount of the money I raise goes to cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute?

A:  Huntsman Cancer Foundation pledges never to use more than 25% of the funds raised through events for incentive items and costs of the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program, but this number is usually a lot closer to 15%.  Each donation is tax deductible for the donor, but there are expenses associated with running any fundraising program like this.  Most of our staff is made up of volunteers and we really negotiate our prices and get as much donated as we can.  However, you always have the option of foregoing any incentive items you may earn to have the most money possible go towards cancer research.

Q:  Just for purposes of explaining to people what I’m doing, what specifically do the donations go to?  Is it for patient care or for research?

A:  All funds raised through the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program go to cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute.  We do not fund patient care directly as in paying for someone’s medical bills.  Huntsman Cancer Foundation's 501(c)(3) status does not allow us to pay personal medical expenses. 

Q:  Do we get an official event T-shirt if we are a HHH?

A:  Being involved in the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program, you will get so many shirts, you won’t know what to do with them all!  Once the fundraising minimum has been met, 5Kers receive the HHH T-shirt while relayers, marathoners, and half marathoners receive the HHH running jersey plus the official race shirt of your race--usually in a performance-style fabric.  All cyclists will receive the HHH cycling jersey. 

Q:  What is the Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF)?

A:  HCF gives a Reason to Hope® to cancer patients and their families around the world.  HCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to maximizing resources to support the research and patient education at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI).  We rely on the generosity of individuals, corporations, community groups, and other organizations to help us reach our fundraising goals.  The Huntsman Cancer Foundation office is in Salt Lake City, Utah, minutes from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Hospital.  HCF's main responsibility is to raise much-needed funds for cancer research at HCI.

Q:  Doesn’t the Huntsman family fund/own the entire Hospital and Institute?

A:  No.  HCI is part of the University of Utah and therefore is owned by the state of Utah.  HCF receives generous funding from the Huntsman family, including the initial $225 million to build and seed the Institute and Hospital.  One family simply cannot do it alone.  In order to sustain the great work of HCI, HCF seeks donations to advance cancer research, education, and treatment programs on an ongoing basis from the local, national, and global community whom we serve.

Q:  Is Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) a registered charity?

A:  Yes. HCF is a non-profit organization and has 501(c)3 status.  HCF is a tax-exempt organization providing financial support to Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.

Q:  How do events help HCI?

A:  Events bring the mission of HCI to the community and allow the public to help.  Golf tournaments, for example, often provide areas of gift giving for companies to participate as well as receive recognition in the media.  Running and cycling events often charge a registration fee with a portion going to HCF.  The Huntsman Hometown Heroes program fundraises additional dollars through asking friends and family to support cancer research in honor or in memory of someone they may know who is battling or has battled cancer.  Events are a way that we can raise the level of awareness of the cancer cause in our community and leverage fun into opportunities to raise funds for the cause.

Q:  How do I start a team?

A:  Simply go to www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org and click on the Hometown Heroes tab to "register now."  You will then be prompted to register as a team captain or an individual.  Choose a name for your team and you will automatically get a team fundraising webpage set up.  Then all you have to do is tell friends, family, and co-workers about the program and have them sign up as a member of your team!

Q:  What does it mean to be a team captain?

A:  As a team captain, you will check in with you team members to make sure they understand the program and their commitment, know about the fundraising minimum, the minimum deadline (April 9 for SLC, May 7 for Ogden) and encourage them by email and phone throughout their program. We also have an overall fundraising/webpage guru who can help—Contact Rick at rick_ortenburger@q.com.

Q:  Do you have wristbands?

A:  The official HCI wristband is royal blue and reads: “A Reason to Hope.” It is available in small and large sizes at the HCI Learning Center or by calling (801) 584-5800. Suggested donation for each wristband is $10.  Please contact the events team for more information.

Q:  How do my dollars impact cancer research in the world?

A:  Cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) impacts the community at large.  HCI is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the National Cancer Institute. Research that is published in publications like Nature and Cell are shared with researchers worldwide. Here are some recent examples of research at HCI:

• Women with Stage I endometrial cancer (with grade 1 and grades 3 and 4 disease) who receive radiation therapy in addition to other treatment have improved survival rates, according to a study in the January 25 issue of JAMA. (The corresponding or principal author of the study is David Gaffney, MD, PhD, who is medical director of radiation oncology at HCI.)
• The Utah Population Database (UPDB) at HCI recently celebrated 30 years. It is the largest and most complete population database in the U.S. that is used for biomedical research. It includes information on 6.4 million individuals linked through 10 million records. Researchers use the UPDB to identify and study families that have higher than normal incidence of cancer or other disease, to analyze patterns or genetic inheritance, and to identify specific genetic mutations.
• Researchers discovered a special type of molecular structure that helps keep genes properly turned off until the structure is ejected from those genes in a regulated manner to help turn the genes on. The discovery is reported in the October 21 issue of the journal Cell by scientists from HCI at the University of Utah.

Q:  Where can I get more information about a potential diagnosis?

A:  The HOPE (Huntsman Online Patient Education) guide is an online resource for patients and their families: www.hopeguide.org. You can also call our toll-free Cancer Information Line at 1-888-HCI-2100.

Q:  How do I make an appointment at HCI?

A:  Please call HCI directly at (801) 585-0303.