Komen Affiliates Increase Participation & Fundraising

Pink Year Round for Better Health

Balance Walking is a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Corporate Sponsor and is excited to work with ‘All Affiliates’ to help grow their community outreach. Presently, in the SGK Participant Center used by individuals and teams located online contains some great resources to help increase fundraising. One resource area is labeled, 101 Great Ideas, which helps participants by suggesting creative ideas to help increase donations. Now with our partnership is the perfect time to take advantage of the “Pink Pole Balance Walking Program as the 102nd Great Idea!” In fact, we believe this will double participation and fundraising in local communities year round.

One neat thing about Balance Walking is that it creates curiosity and excitement without detracting from the Susan G Komens current schedule of events and programs. Integrating the poles brings an additional dimension to any Komen Event and will boost individual or team donations. The poles are guaranteed to attract attention and elicit questions, such as…

What are you doing?

First let me use my experience; as I confidently respond – “well one mile with these poles gives me the benefits of nearly 2 miles of regular walking (this is just one of the many benefit examples. You will also increase calorie burn to 90% muscle activation versus 60-70% of regular walking). The benefits come so quickly that I walk with the poles for 5, 10, 15minutes or more if I have time.” This eliminates the excuse – I have no TIME! And guess what their response is almost every time – more questions!

Where can I get the Poles?

This is a perfect opportunity to explain the partnership between Balance Poles and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. We suggest letting all who ask; to know that $5 from each sale stays in the community and another $5 goes to the national office for breast cancer research. Order the Susan G Komen Poles Online easily or visit a participating Foot Solutions. This Question is usually followed with…

Where can I learn How to use Poles?

And of course I tell them; it’s easy with an online video, community walking groups, as I hand them an Invite Card.

Then of course, more questions – when and where does your group walk? As I hand them a 5 x 7 invite card, I also get their name and contact information for follow-up. And if you have an extra set of poles show them how and invite them back to use them as loaner poles until they make their purchase online. We suggest that individuals or team members work with their local Affiliate office to use the online tools to promote their group. Starting their own Meetup online is easy and very inexpensive (www.meetup.com). We suggest calling the Meetup “Pink Pole Balance Walking / (list area or team name here).

Sometimes people just want to get started and learn how and walk on their own where they live or work.

Look 1 ask a Friend, then it became 7

Susan G Komen 5k Atlanta Pink Team

What’s The Next Step?

• Contact: Your Local Susan G Komen Affiliate or Terry Kennedy at 770-916-5996
• Email: tkennedy@balancewalking.com
  
• Spread the Word! Enlist 5 or more supporters who may be interested in learning more and who would like to help grow your Teams Fundraising Goals Year Round

Here is a great video for promotion

First, I want to thank Wendy Bumgardner for a wonderful article on Balance Walking. Not familiar with the term Balance Walking? Think along the lines of pole walking, Nordic Walking, SkiWalking, Exerstriding, Boomyah, KeenFit, etc.

But there is one component of Balance Walking that separates it from the rest: Chung Shi. A recent study was completed (and is currently in review) by a University near Atlanta, GA to show the effects of the Chung Shi Rocker Bottom Shoe (the only shoe in the world with this patented design) and Balance Walking Poles.

Whether you are a first time exerciser or a well-seasoned athlete, Balance Walking is an increasingly popular full-body exercise that will keep you looking and feeling great. Balance Walking groups are rapidly growing across the country- search a walk group in your area here.

Join me at the IDEA World Fitness Event Aug. 4 – 7 and see the future of the Balance Walking Program!

Many people are talking about the Balance Walking Program on the web and within the industry of Pole Walking. Give me a shout and join the team to become a Walk Leader or Coach in your area.