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New England Brain Tumor Walk

The New England Brain Tumor community will come together on October 20, 2024 for a 5K Walk to raise awareness and funds to support the needs of patients with brain tumors and their families. The New England Brain Tumor Walk is a family-friendly event for all ages! Join us for a morning of celebration, remembrance and hope. Your community is here. Let’s discover a cure, together.

Registration Options

Youth registration options are 12 and under. In-person participation options include an event t-shirt if you register prior to September 20, 2024. Event t-shirts are not guaranteed to late registrants. Registration fees will increase on September 3, and again on event week.

Event Weekend Registration Fees:

  • Walker – $40
  • Youth Walker (12 and under) – $10
  • Volunteer – FREE

Volunteers are essential to the New England Brain Tumor Walk! Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission. Groups, schools, community organizations, families and individuals are all welcome to volunteer. Need student community service hours? Our event is perfect!

Pre-Event

Marketing-Ground Team

Help get the message out! We are looking for individuals and groups to hang posters in local stores, libraries, coffee shops, hospitals and more!

Marketing-Social Media

Help get the message out! We are looking for social media savvy volunteers to help raise awareness for the event!

Set-Up Crew (Day Before Event) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Help with placing route marking signs, placing boxes and supplies in the tents in preparation for event. Hang signage. Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.

Day Of Event

Volunteer Check-in 5:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Assist the volunteer committee member with checking in all volunteers for the event. Provide site maps, directions and other key items for the volunteers. Organize and pack remaining supplies after the event.

Set-Up Crew (Day of Event) 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Help with unpacking boxes and supplies in the tents in preparation for event. Organize tables in their tents and place tablecloths on the tables. Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs.

Registration 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Set up the Registration tent. Check-in pre-registered participants and pass out participant t-shirts.

Line Monitors 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Assist and support registration tent with crowd direction and control in the lines. A mandatory registration training will take place when you arrive. At the end of the event, you will organize and pack supplies in the tent and assist with clean up.

Parking  7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Direct all vehicles to the drop-off area in order to unload passengers. A briefing about parking options and shuttle stop information will take place as applicable. Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time.

Food Area 7:00 AM – Noon
Assist in setting up the food area on-site. Monitor and help distribute food to participants. Organize and pack remaining supplies after the event. Must be able to be on your feet for long periods of time.

Honor and Celebrate/Survivor Tent 8:30 AM – Noon
Assist participants in writing messages and hanging photos of loved ones on the Hope and Memory banners.

Kids Area 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Set up kids area; assist kids with activities including painting, arts and crafts, face painting, etc. Clean up kids area.

Route Marshals  9:00 AM – Noon
Direct walk participants from the start/finish line safely around the course and back. Volunteers will assist with road crossings, directions, crowd control and information.

Water Stop 9:00 AM – Noon
Set-up and breakdown water stop for event day. Distribute water to participants.

Entertainment/Activities TBD
Share your skills with participants to make it a memorable experience for all. (Massage therapists, comedians, musicians, face-painters, fitness instructors, etc.)

Photographer 8:00AM-1:00PM

Help capture the memories by taking photos of participants before, during and after the walk!

Post Event

Breakdown 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Help with removing route marking signs. At the event site, help with packing and loading event supplies. Trash collection.

Clean Up 3:00PM-5:00PM

Travel to Newton storage unit to help unload materials and supplies. Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs and stand on feet for long periods of time. Travel required.

Register online, choosing “volunteer” as your participation type. Once registered, you will receive an email to confirm your volunteer shift. For more information about volunteer opportunities at the New England Brain Tumor Walk, please contact Rachel Backner at NEWalknfo@braintumor.org.

New in 2024

Virtual Participant – Registration Closed
FREE registration for those who are unable to attend the event in person. Event t-shirts will be mailed to all virtual participants who raise $75 or more by September 20, 2024. T-shirts will arrive to you by event day. Virtual participants who register after September 20, 2024, will not qualify for an event t-shirt.

Plan your day

Event Schedule

7:00 a.m. – Registration/Check-in Opens
8:45 a.m. – Remembrance Ceremony
9:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremony and Awards
9:30 a.m. – Walk Begins

  • Walk distance at 3.1 mi/5K

Wheelchairs, strollers, and leashed pets are all welcome. For the little ones, stop by our Kids Tent for fun activities. Light refreshments and water will be available for all participants, but you are welcome to bring your own as well.

Driving/Parking

DCR Mother’s Rest at Carson Beach GPS address: 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125

The event is accessible by the MBTA Red Line. Please get off at JFK/UMASS and walk up the street.

There are three lots available for parking: Santander Bank (2 Morrissey Blvd), Corcoran Jennison Co. (150 Mt. Vernon St.) or the Teachers Union (180 Mt. Vernon St.)

There are five reserved spaces near the entrance of the Teachers Union parking for drop offs. This is the ONLY place you will be able to temporarily park and drop off participants who need extra assistance or materials. Please be respectful of these spots and only stay in them for 10 minutes or less.

Team Area

For those who want to bring a team tent, please arrive at the venue between 7-7:30 a.m. and drop off your materials using the Teachers Union temporary parking spots.

Please bring your own tent, table, chairs and team spirit! The event site is very windy, so please make sure to secure your tents appropriately. Please do not BBQ or bring any alcohol onsite!

Team and Individual Fundraising Incentives

Fundraising for the brain tumor community takes real commitment to our cause, so we want to celebrate your successes.

Commemorative Pin

New in 2024, our NBTS Accelerator Club will recognize event participants like you driving brain tumor breakthroughs forward through your fundraising efforts. The more you raise, the more additional prizes you can earn. By raising $250 or more on your personal fundraising page by event day, you will become part of the NBTS Accelerator Club.

$250 – Accelerator: By raising $250 or more on your personal fundraising page by event day, you will become part of the NBTS Accelerator Club and receive exclusive benefits, including:

  • 2024 Accelerator Pin. Wear it at your event to raise awareness and share pride in your fundraising efforts
  • Recognition at registration and packet pickup
  • A Digital Accelerator Badge on your personal fundraising page

$5,000 – Changemaker 
In addition to the Accelerator Club benefits, you will also receive:

  • VIP Fast Lane at day-of event registration and t-shirt pickup
  • Changemaker lanyard
  • Verbal recognition at the event by the event emcee
  • Changemakers will be highlighted on social media

$10,000 – Groundbreaker 
In addition to the Accelerator Club Benefits, you will also receive:

  • VIP Fast Lane at day-of event registration and t-shirt pickup
  • Groundbreakers will be recognized on stage at your event!
  • Groundbreaker medal
  • Groundbreakers will be highlighted on social media

Additional Individual Fundraising Prizes:
Achieve one of the milestones listed below by November 3 and your prize will be mailed directly to your home post-event.

  • Raise $750 – $1,499 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS ballcap
  • Raise $1,500 – $4,999 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS fleece 1/4 Zip Pullover
  • Raise $5,000-$9,999 on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS backpack
  • Raise $10,000+ on your personal fundraising page to earn a NBTS rain jacket
Team Fundraising Prize:
  • Teams that raise $1000 before Friday, September 20 will receive a personalized “In Honor” or “In Memory” Mission Sign, featuring the name and photo of your loved one. Signs will be displayed on the course at the event. 

Fundraising Resources & Help Desk:

National Brain Tumor Society wants to make sure you are successful in your fundraising efforts. Equip yourself with these curated fundraising resources to maximize your impact.

Highest Earning Teams
Rank Team Name Amount Earned
1 Smiley Strong $36,174.28
2 Team Oligo $33,502.71
3 Fiore’s Fighting Force $32,209.34
4 The Lu Crew $31,121.71
5 4Jack $21,358.39
6 Hope for Hayes $16,164.46
7 Kathryn’s Cuties for a Cure $9,496.80
8 Miles 4 Mike $9,099.90
9 Miles for Mimi $9,083.41
10 A Team $9,015.67
Highest Earning Participants
Rank Participant Name Amount Earned
1 Brett Johnson $21,917.30
2 Alexander Owen-Post $21,692.40
3 Karolina Atsalis $21,411.76
4 Cheri Mehigan Foley $17,778.38
5 Louise Zamiara $16,581.50
6 Janet Reddy $10,030.47
7 Lawrence Fiore $5,280.00
8 Mollie Antonelli $5,176.50
9 Silas Atsalis $3,983.50
10 Olivia Dunn $3,912.93

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Event Sponsorship

As an event sponsor, your organization will connect with the brain tumor community on a platform that will enable meaningful and enduring impact for both your brand and our mission. Sponsorship will allow your organization to make a difference in the lives of millions.

For more information, please contact: partnerships@braintumor.org or 617.863.8345.

Sponsorship Opportunities Email us

For information and support for the New England Brain Tumor Walk, please contact Rachel Backner at rbackner@braintumor.org.

Thank you to our sponsors & media partners


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