Ride to Cure Kids | Boston Children's Hospital

FAQs

Overview

What is Ride to Cure Kids?
Ride to Cure Kids brings riders of all levels to the TRACK at new balance to help find important cures for kids everywhere. The DJ will be mixing and guest speakers will inspire. We'll ride today to give kids a healthy tomorrow.
Learn more »

Who can participate?
Ride to Cure Kids is open to all, ages 18 and up. All levels of riders are welcome. If you are new to riding—don’t worry! You will have fun and can ride at your own pace. Come out with friends, family and colleagues to support the kids at Boston Children's.

What is the event like?
The event will be full of energy, inspiration and fun. You'll be together with your team riding at the state of the art TRACK at new balance. There will be four 45-minute rides, with each session taught by one of Boston's favorite instructors. A live DJ will keep the energy pumping and create a party atmosphere, even in the morning. Between sessions, grab food, water and/or coffee, get a massage, cheer on your fellow riders, dance a bit, visit the photo booth and more. Go at your own pace and enjoy the day.

What COVID-19 protocols will be in place?
Boston Children's Hospital will adhere to all COVID-19 protocols put forth by the state of Massachusetts and the CDC at the time of the event. All participants will receive up-to-date information on protocols just prior to the event.
If you have questions, please contact us at ride@chtrust.org.

Are COVID-19 vaccinations required?
All participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and may be required to provide proof of vaccination as well as complete a symptom screening in advance or upon arrival at Ride to Cure Kids.

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Registration

How do I register?
Create a team, join a team, or ride on your own as an Ultimate Rider!
Register here »

How do others join my team?
During registration, riders can join your team by searching for and choosing the team's name. Riders can also join your team directly from your team page. Log in to your fundraising center for more ways to recruit teammates, such as using email templates to send a personal invitation.

How many people can be on a team?
Each team requires four registered participants, so there are enough riders for each of the 45 minute sessions. There is a $250 fundraising requirement for each participant.

Can I register to ride on my own?
Kudos to you for wanting to ride all four hours! Any individual riding all four hours is required to raise $1,000. Register as an Ultimate Rider »

If you are interested in learning more about this challenge, please contact us at ride@chtrust.org or 617-355-6666.

Why is there a registration fee?
The $25 registration fee helps us cover your event day experience and allows every dollar raised to go directly to helping patients. All registered riders will receive breakfast, snacks, coffee/tea, access to the massage area and so much more.

If you need to cancel, contact us at ride@chtrust.org or 617-355-6666 by November 1, 2022. Please note that registration fees are nonrefundable.

Can I register on the day of the event?
So we can plan properly, we ask you to register before registration closes on November 10th at 5pm.

Can multiple teams have the same name?
Sorry, but our system doesn’t allow teams to have the exact same name.

How are team names determined?
The Team Captain will typically choose a team name when registering. Team names are subject to review/revision by Boston Children’s Hospital, to ensure all are sufficiently different and will not cause confusion between teams. Boston Children’s Hospital may remove riders from a team at their discretion.

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Fundraising

How do donations help kids?
Your funds help provide lifesaving care and support to patients and families, through the Boston Children’s Hospital Research Accelerator Fund. When you fundraise, you advance promising research, care for kids facing complex illness and give parents supports that enable them to stay by their child’s side.
Learn more about your impact »

How can friends/family/colleagues donate to my Ride to Cure Kids efforts?
Your supporters can donate by:

Giving online by credit card on your personal fundraising page.
Making a check out to Boston Children's Hospital. Please have your donor write your name and "Ride to Cure Kids" on the memo line so we can ensure the donation is posted to your fundraising page.
Giving you cash. Write a personal check or exchange cash for a bank check and mail it to us — please do not mail cash. Please write your donor’s information on the envelope so we can add them to your fundraising page.

How should I send my check donations to Boston Children’s?
Please complete this form and mail gifts to us. Once received, we will process and update your total. If you have questions, please contact ride@chtrust.org.

Boston Children's Hospital's Tax ID number: 04-2774441
Please mail checks made payable to Boston Children’s Hospital to:
Boston Children’s Hospital Trust
Attn: Gift Services
401 Park Drive, Suite 602
Boston, MA 02215-3354

Will donors who give by check appear on my personal fundraising page?
Yes. Our gift processing team will add donations received in the mail to your personal fundraising page. Offline donations may take 5-7 business days to be reflected on your page

Do you send acknowledgement letters for contributions?
Yes. Boston Children's Hospital acknowledges all gifts of $250 or more and sends receipts for these gifts per IRS guidelines. All online gifts will receive an automatic receipt.

I don't want to fundraise. Can I still attend Ride to Cure Kids?
Yes, you can register and make an outright donation of $250 via credit card or check to fulfill the fundraising minimum.

Do I still need to raise the minimum if I join a team?
Yes, each individual is asked to pay a $25 registration fee and required to raise the fundraising minimum of $250.

What if I don't reach the fundraising minimum?
All participants are required to meet the $250 fundraising minimum by December 1, 2022. If you haven't raised $250 by the deadline, you will be charged the remaining balance.

All Ultimate Riders are required to meet the $1,000 fundraising minimum by December 1, 2022. If you are an Ultimate Rider and haven't raised $1,000 by the deadline, you will be charged the remaining balance.

What are Miracle Makers?
Miracle Makers are a special group of riders who raise $1,000 or more! Along with many thanks from Boston Children's, those who achieve Miracle Maker status by November 1 will receive a special event day t-shirt/tank top, event day perks and special recognition.

How do I learn more about matching gifts?
Many companies offer matching gifts for their employees who give to non-profits like Boston Children's Hospital. Increase the impact of your donation by applying for your company to match your gift now.
View our matching gift guide »

Can I do a Facebook Fundraiser for Ride to Cure Kids?
When you register for Ride to Cure Kids you'll be able to create a Facebook Fundraiser through your Fundraising Center. Please do not create a fundraiser directly through Facebook. Gifts made through a Facebook Fundraiser can only be counted towards your personal fundraising total if it is created through your Ride to Cure Kids Fundraising Center. You can also link your Instagram to your Facebook Fundraiser (see how here).

Will gifts made through my Facebook Fundraiser appear on my fundraising page?
Yes, but only if you create your Facebook Fundraiser through your Fundraising Center. Any donation you receive from Facebook will be added to your fundraising total automatically.

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Event Day

What should I wear to Ride to Cure Kids?
Please wear sneakers and comfortable, light, non-restrictive clothes. Clip in shoes will not be allowed on the TRACK.

What else should I bring?
We will have a coat check for coats only. We will not be able to check large bags or purses, so please bring only items you feel comfortable leaving with your team. There will be a way to refresh after the event, if you prefer to bring a change of clothes.

What time should I arrive?
Event day check-in will start at 7 am. If you are the first rider on the team, please be there by 7:45 am to find your bike and get settled in for the ride. Before each session, there will be a brief speaking portion as well as instructions on how to make the most of your time on the bike.

What time should team captains arrive?
If you are the team captain, we recommend you arrive before the first rider starts. If you are the first rider for your team, please plan to be on your bike by 7:45 am. Even if you aren't riding first, you can be there early to cheer on your team members!

Do I need to be there for the official start time?
Your team captain will assign the time you are riding. We ask that riders be on their bikes and ready for their assigned times. The actual ride will start at the top of the hour. We just ask riders to be there with enough time to get settled on their bikes. Staff will be there to help if needed.

Can I participate in the event if I haven't attended an indoor cycling class?
Yes—Ride to Cure Kids is geared towards everyone, regardless of skill level!

What if I need to change the time I ride?
Please work with your team captain to rearrange when you will ride. We do ask that the bike be filled during all sessions of the event.

Will there be parking?
If you’re driving in, there’s plenty of places to park, including garages and some street parking.
Learn more »

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Fundraising Center

What is a Fundraising Center?
To help you fundraise, everyone who registers for Ride to Cure Kids will receive access to their own Fundraising Center—a personal fundraising website. Here you will find all of the tools you need to meet (and exceed) your fundraising goal and track your progress. Riders can customize a fundraising page, access helpful resources, send emails to donors and more.

How do I get a Fundraising Center?
Your Fundraising Center is automatically created when you register for Ride to Cure Kids. Once registered, keep your eyes peeled for an email with the link to access your Fundraising Center and your login credentials. You can always access the Fundraising Center by visiting the Ride to Cure Kids homepage and clicking "Log in".

Can I personalize my page?
Yes, we hope you will! The more personal your page, the more funds you’re likely to raise. You can customize it several ways:

Your fundraising page will contain a generic photograph. We urge you to upload your own photo or even create your own mini gallery!
Your fundraising page will also include a general message about why people participate in Ride to Cure Kids. We encourage you to replace this message with your own personal statement, tell your story, and explain why you ride for kids at Boston Children's.

How do people donate to my page?
Your personal fundraising page has a donate button that ensures all gifts are attributed to your personal total. There are many ways to share your page. We recommend posting a link to your page on social media, or sharing with friends and family via email.

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Volunteers

What is event day like?
Ride to Cure Kids brings cyclists of every level to the TRACK at new balance to help find important cures for kids everywhere. The DJ will be mixing and guest speakers will inspire. We'll ride today to give kids a healthy tomorrow. We will ask most volunteers to be there from 7am-2pm.
Learn more about event day »

What does each job entail?

Event Day Greeter: You will be the first person riders see. You'll greet them, direct them to the bike room, and answer any other questions they have about the day.
Cheer Team: You will help keep our riders on motivated and cheer them on during their ride.
Most Needed: Help us out wherever you're needed most! It could mean restocking the bikes between rides or helping out where folks gather before/after their ride.

Will there be parking?
If you’re driving in, there’s plenty of places to park, including garages and some street parking.
Learn more »

What time should I arrive and how do I get there?
Most volunteers are asked to arrive by 6 am. Be on the lookout for an email from our team a week or so before the event. It will outline your role and important event details such as requested arrival time and directions.

What time should I expect to be finished?
You can expect to be finished by 1:30 pm.

Is there a minimum age requirement to volunteer?
Yes, we ask that volunteers are 18 years of age or older.

Is there a fundraising minimum for volunteers?
No, we do not require volunteers to fundraise for the event. However, if you want to raise funds for Boston Children's Hospital you definitely can! Our recommended fundraising goal is $100. After you are registered, you can access your Fundraising Center by logging in.

What COVID-19 protocols will be in place?
Boston Children’s Hospital will adhere to all COVID-19 protocols put forth by the state of Massachusetts and the CDC at the time of the event. All participants will receive up-to-date information on protocols just prior to the event. If you have questions, please contact us at ride@chtrust.org.

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