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Northern California Brain Tumor Walk

The Northern California brain tumor community will come together on June 7, 2025, to raise awareness and funds to support the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. Join us for a morning of celebration, remembrance and hope at the San Francisco Zoo. Your community is here. Let’s discover a cure, together.

Join us:

All registrations include NBTS participant t-shirt, light refreshments and zoo admission.
In-person participation options include an event t-shirt if you register prior to May 7, 2025. Event t-shirts are not guaranteed to late registrants. Registration fees will increase 30 days prior to event day, and again on event week.

  • Adult Participant – $50
  • Youth Participant (12 and younger) – $20
  • Child Participant (2 and younger) – Free
  • Volunteer – FREE

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 May 7, 2025. T-shirts will arrive to you by event day. Virtual participants who register after May 7, 2025, will not qualify for an event t-shirt.

Plan your day:

Event Schedule

9:00 am – Check In
9:10 am – Light breakfast
10:30 am – Event Program and Celebration of Life
11:00 am – Event concluded, visit the zoo!

Zoo is open for discovery!

Parking

The Zoo parking lot has two entrances, one off of the Great Highway for people driving from the East Bay and South Bay, and one off of Sloat Boulevard at 47th Avenue for those driving from the North Bay. There is only one exit from the parking lot – putting everyone northbound on the Great Highway.

Guests planning to park in the Zoo’s parking lot need to purchase a parking voucher on site on the day of your visit.

Parking can be paid for three ways once you arrive at the Zoo.
1. At the ticket office windows when you arrive or when you leave
2. At the Little Puffer Train station (11am-4:30pm)
3. Scan the QR code on posters throughout the Zoo, pay online and retrieve an exit pass at the Gatehouse on your way out

Please note, paid parking is available on a first come, first serve basis. There is free parking on the street along Sloat Boulevard.

Questions? Email us at nocalinfo@braintumor.org.

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

Our NBTS Accelerator Club recognizes 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 June 21 and your prize will be mailed directly to your home post-event.

  • COMING SOON!
Team Fundraising Prize:
  • Every team who raises $500 by May 19 will qualify for 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 pathway leading into the event. 
  • Every team who raises $10,000 by June 1 will qualify for a team tent on event day!

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.

  • Fundraise on Facebook: Connect your NBTS fundraising page directly to your Facebook profile and solicit donations from your online community! PDF Instructions | Video How To
  • The third time’s the charm. It often takes 3 requests for your friends and family to remember to donate. Ask, ask and ask one more time.
  • Information kits: Team Captain Guide | Fundraising Guide | Fundraising Tips | More resources…
  • Share the impact of donations to the National Brain Tumor Society.
  • Download our Good Move Fundraising app! Fundraising and communicating with your network is now easier than ever with our new mobile app available on the Apple or Google Play Store. You will also receive an email after you register with more information and a direct link to get started in the app!
Highest Earning Teams
Rank Team Name Amount Earned
1 Hope by the Bay $25,985.20
2 Mac Challenge 2024 $18,316.77
3 Team Stanford $17,077.28
4 Team Orrick $13,156.94
5 Team UCSF Survive & Thrive 2024 $13,037.84
6 Sharie’s Angels $10,560.44
7 Team Crissy $9,228.41
8 Laser-Focused $5,201.29
9 Kathryn’s Team $4,083.10
10 Slugs $3,565.24
Highest Earning Participants
Rank Participant Name Amount Earned
1 Leah Recht $12,337.70
2 Laura Fields $5,201.29
3 Lisa Vallero $5,035.00
4 Penny Rix $3,868.54
5 Dawn Bauleke $3,408.56
6 Chinae’ Gonzales $3,290.96
7 Kathryn Boroff $3,077.40
8 Catherine Nelson $2,182.50
9 Cam Dickinson $2,056.35
10 Lyn Batia $2,047.54

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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 more information about the Northern California Brain Tumor Walk & Race, please contact your Regional Director, Suzanne Isbell at NoCALinfo@braintumor.org.

Thank you to our sponsors & media partners


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