** The Raffle is currently on hold while I resolve an issue with PayPal. Sorry! **
For my marathon, I decided to work with Team in Training to raise money for blood cancer research. I did this in honor of my friend Megan from college, who was recently re-diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the blog world, we raised more than $3,000!
Currently, I am training for the Echelon Gran Fondo Century bike race (that’s 100 long, long miles). The Echelon Gran Fondo Century raises money for the Livestrong Lance Armstrong Foundation, as well as local cancer research programs and hospitals. I have once again pledged to raise $3,000.
Cancer is an issue that strikes a serious emotional chord in me, and I know that many of you feel the same way. It’s a horrible disease, and I hope we find a cure soon. That’s why money for research is SO important!
Introducing… The Garmin 305 Raffle for the Livestrong Foundation!
If you’re into running or cycling on ANY level, you NEED a Garmin 305! Trust me…this little gadget changed the way I train! Because it has a GPS inside, it can track mileage, calculate pace, create maps, design automatic speedwork workouts, and more. Much, much more! It also comes with a heart rate monitor.
The Garmin 305’s suggested retail price is $199.99… but you can enter for a chance to win it for just $5!
Here’s how the raffle will work:
- $5 gets you ONE raffle ticket.
- $10 gets you TWO raffle tickets.
- $15 gets you FOUR raffle tickets!!! What a deal!
- The contest will run until Thursday, February 25 and I’ll contact the winner at lunchtime.
- Following the conclusion of the raffle, I will transfer all profits from the raffle to the Echelon Gran Fondo website.
- I will list everyone’s name on an Excel spreadsheet (one entry per $5, two entries per $10, and FOUR entries per $15), and the Husband will draw a winner using the Random Number Generator.
- I will then mail the winner the Garmin 305!
If you enjoy reading Healthy Tipping Point, please enter the raffle. After all, I provide you with hours of free entertainment at work, in class, or whatnot. 
It would mean a lot to me to have your support!
UPDATE ** The Raffle is currently on hold while I resolve an issue with PayPal. Sorry! **
Twitter
Operation Beautiful
I’ll be headed that way soon! I love the idea of this giveaway!
Great idea! I just donated. It probably showed up as Green with Fashion, though. That’s an event that I planned last year and it was linked to my PayPal account.
Good luck!
I just bought a raffle ticket! What a great way to raise money for a great cause!!
What a great cause! I’ll be buying my raffle ticket very soon
Great idea. I’d love to get my hands on the Garmin.
Question: I’ve been considering doing a similar half-marathon training program with the Arthritis Foundation. Their fundraising goals range between $2500 & $5K depending on the event. Did you find raising the $3K difficult? Did you have a similar Garmin giveaway that helped, or was it all family, friends and your followers? Any corporate sponsors? Any info/guidance is greatly appreciated!
It is difficult to raise so much money, but not impossible. I asked my friends and family for donations, and I also did a bake sale at the Healthy Living Summit. I also did several similar raffles to this one, but not for a Garmin. You have to get creative with fundraising, but it is possible! Most organizations will also offer opportunities to help you raise money (like car washes or gift wrapping during the holidays). even though its work, it is SOOOO worth the time because it makes the race so much more rewarding. Let me know if you do it and I will donate to your cause!!
I am on a VERY TIGHT budget due to my hubby being unemployed since September 2008 and also have a 9 year old daughter to care for………however I REALLY want a Garmin and know I won’t be able to get one anytime soon so I think I will be entering the $5 Raffle via PayPal shortly!
Also, because it is an amazing cause as well…..that unfortunately has effected all our lives. =(
Thank you for offering such a great prize, I have my fingers crossed! =)
thank you for donating! it is wonderful that you are still charitable even though money is tight for your family.
Was just talking to the boyf about how I need a Garmin! And I am so happy to support your fundraising efforts. You are going to LOVE the century. I can’t wait to do another one. Crossing my fingers for that Garmin!
such an awesome giveaway, caitlin! thank you for raising money and awareness on the topic of cancer… it affects us all in vastly different ways but every little bit helps and people like you who raise the money are incredible.
thank you for this sweet comment. i appreciate it.
Cancer strikes an emotional chord with me too. My father was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier last year and has to have his entire bladder removed next Monday.
I already have a Garmin though. Is there a way to donate money without being included in the raffle?
Thanks Lee!
You can make a donation to the Echelon Gran Fondo page (if you want to donate $25+) or just send it to my PayPal account and note you dont want to be included in the raffle.
What a great cause! Plus, I’d love the Garmin! Also – wanted to thank you for the “Fat Talk” last Friday. I really thought about it a lot this weekend. I never really thought about it but I “Fat Talk” all the time to me. How negative…didn’t even realize it really. Your honesty and tips really helped. Thanks!
thank you so much! sometimes its hard to put myself out there but comments like this really help.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to donate to such a great cause! I’m heading over to paypal next.
No matter how poor I am there is always a little money to spare for charity! I sent $10. Thanks for being so awesome!
what a great idea! i’ll head to your paypal site later today. you are such an impressive person!
Great idea!
I’m only starting out with walking and running, but would love something like that gadget! And more so, that the raffle goes to cancer research! My Grandad has just been diagnosed terminal, and although people often exceed what doctors say, they’ve said he’s only got 3-6 mths to live! So it really strikes a chord with me at the moment!
My main wonderings were… does it count if we’re in the UK? Does that make a difference at all in regards to entering? x
i am so sorry about your grandpa.
yes, i will ship to canada or the UK!
Great idea!!! I’ll be buying my ticket
Hi Caitlin! Just sent my money over =)
Thank you so much for being such an inspiration. You have truly become my favorite blogger and I appreciate everything you’ve done, from creating Operation Beautiful, addressing Fat Talk and racing for a cause. In fact, I am signing up/running my first races this year and it’s b/c I read about how you started running.
Thanks again and keep up the great work!
thank you so much!!! i am so happy to hear you are racing, too!
Like I said in my email, I’d be happy to support the cause even if there wasn’t a raffle. Cancer has affected my family, so the cause is close to my heart.
Just bought my tickets. Best of luck come race day!
Hey Heather! Good luck with raising the money! That is awesome! I love riding! I also love your blog, I just started one and I use yours for inspiration. I wrote about you raffle on my website you can check it out here. I will also be donating, cancer has affected many in my family. I look forward to reading your updates!
http://shapeupnyc.com/2010/02/22/tis-the-season-for-giveaways/
Kristine
http://www.shapeupnyc.com
Such a great cause! I just donated through paypal. Great fundraising idea!
Hi Caitlin!
I just sent some money your way
Thanks for your raffle and thanks for your blog – you are such an inspiration! It’s nice to read your positive posts every day
Good Luck for the race!
Great raffle and great cause. I wish you the best of luck in the race!
I donated! Good luck with raising money!!
I will be raising $2300 later this year for Breast Cancer – I’m signing up for the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk (walking 60 miles over 3 days) and I have to raise $2300 to participate – do you think that if I did some kind of raffle that I could advertise it on your website?
yes definitely
just email me and let me know.
Alrigh, cool! Thanks
Ambre- I’ve always wanted to do the 3-day, but the fundraising commitment is a little frightening! Keep me informed of your fundraiser for this in the future!
Tracey – This will be my second time doing the 3-Day! I did it last year with my Mother and one of my really close friend’s whos Mother died of Breast Cancer. I’d love to keep you informed of my fundraising in the future! Feel free to email me at ambre70104@Yahoo.com – I can’t figure out how to contact you on your blog! LOL
Just noticed you’ll ship to the UK, I’m entering now
I think it’s a great cause, and definitely one that strikes an emotional chord with me, as it does for so many of your readers (and everyone else in the world it seems!)
I think its awesome that you are using your health to raise money for others and their health! Good luck!
Thats such an awesome raffle prize, i would enter but im horrible at running!
I just donated! Good luck!
[...] and more. Much, much more! It also comes with a heart rate monitor. You can get your tickets at Garmin Raffle. The raffle ends on Thursday, February 25 around 10 [...]
Caitlin, I think it’s so great you not only do these races for personal satisfaction, but are truly making a difference in the lives of many others at the same time.
This Garmin would be totally AWESOME to win, but for me the more important part is the money being raised goes to a great cause, the Livestrong Foundation. I donated
Thanks for letting us know about this great offer and way to help out!
What a great giveaway, Caitlin!!!! I donated, and I’ll be tweeting about your giveaway and I’ll post about it on my blog tomorrow. Cancer knows no boundaries, and unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time before we all know someone who has it. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away from breast cancer in November, and two weeks later my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach & esophogael cancer. He passed away two months after her, in January. It’s such a sad thing and I hope that someday there will be a cure!
I REALLY encourage everyone to donate… $5 is not a lot of money for one person, but if you come together, it CAN make a difference.
Good luck with your fundraiser and GOOD LUCK on your ride!!!!!!!!!
i am so sorry to hear about your grandparents
I’ll be sure to buy some tickets! What a great cause
Great idea for a fundraiser and a great cause too. Hope you raise lots of money
Caitlin, you continue to amaze and inspire me. I rarely post, but read daily – and having just undergone my own scare with cancer, I want to thank you and all of your readers for donating to this cause. Best of luck in the race, we’ll all be cheering for you!
girl, i love your blog, i LOVE livestrong (currently raising funds myself for the philly century they put on), but i already have a garmin (which i’m totally in love with). i see you are doing a bake sale or something at some point, i’ll definitely donate that way or if you post your fundraising page, i’m happy to visit that as well. good luck!!!
oooopps, i’m seeing in other comments that page might be up somewhere already…i’ll look!
its not up yet but i’m working on it! hopefully soon
thank you!!!!!!!!
So many people want to help out/donate/volunteer but just have a hard time figuring out how and never get around to it. Thank you for giving us a simple way to do it! It is inspiring to see all these people support the Livestrong Foundation – and support you! You should be proud that you can inspire such action.
What a great idea! I have a Garmin and can say that it is an incredible tool!! I love reading everyday and know how tough the fundraising can be so I still want to donate… good luck!!
Awesome idea!
I donated a couple hours ago but forgot to comment.
This is a great giveaway for a great cause Caitlin; I just donated & also tweeted telling others to enter/donate!
So, so cool. Here’s hoping you make a TON of money for charity!
Haha, I’m so thick! I read this and thought ‘what a great idea! But I already have a Garmin so I can’t enter
‘ then I thought…uh, I can still donate!?? So I bought a raffle ticket 
I hope you reach your $ target! 
ZOMG! I am lusting after a garming – sent $10! Such a great cause, and I’m always happy to support my favorite blogs!
[...] the way, Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point is holding a raffle for a great cause – check out it. You could win a Garmin [...]
I just bought 4 tickets and am really excited!! I have been looking for something like this to help me with my marathon training. Here’s hoping…
Question: Do you ever donate or link to other peoples fundraisers? My daughter and I are running a 10K and fundraising for the ASPCA at the same time.Our goal is $1000, but finding it very hard to get people to donate. Ideas??
THANKS!!!
yup i would be happy to link to any raffles/bake sales etc you have going on. i don’t normally link to just donation pages though because there’s just too many (which is awesome).
i donate to SOOOO MANY team in training events HAHA I think I spent more than $200 last year on TNT donatins.
If you comment back with your link, I would happy to donate to your cause
I love the ASPCA.
That would be so awesome and Linsey (my 9 year old) will be stoked to see her name/run on your site!! I have a blog post talking about the run that you can find here -http://www.realfitmama.com/linseys-run/
THANK YOU A ZILLION TIMES!!!
It’s weird how things go sometimes. I was just looking at Garmins before coming here. So I’ll get it much cheaper now as I’m winning this ladies! I hope
Caitlin….my paypal e-mail is not as nice as the one you have seen assoc. w/my comments…just so you know.
hahah i just saw that email and freaked out! LOL thank you john!
[...] a Garmin 305 Raffle for Livestrong Foundation at Healthy Tipping [...]
Good luck Caitlin. I would love a Garmin! I hope you raise lots of money!!
Way to go! Just entered…the Garnin is a great prize!
Thank you for participating in a race that backs such an amazing cause. I will definitely be participating in the Garmin giveaway by the thursday deadline. My husband had leukemia from the ages of 3-6yrs old and has been extremely lucky to have no real health problems since. He actually got it from tainted city water [he lived in a very small town]! Have you seen erin brokovich..seriously kind of like that. Completely nuts. He’s a survivor and I don’t know where I’d be without him. I love all that you do Caitlin…such an inspiration!! Thank you!
that is CRAZY about your husband and he is SO lucky to be ok now!!!
thank you for your support! i appreciate it
I love raffles like these! They are fun and for a good cause! I just donated and am crossing my fingers!
[...] Check out Caitlin’s Garmin 305 raffle for the Livestrong Foundation! [...]
Great idea to raise funds for an excellent cause! Just contributed–keeping my fingers Xed for this one.
Cancer strikes a universal chord. I think it is an amazing idea. I am definitely in to donate. And of course cookie bake!!!
http://thislifeitsmine.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/mondays-with-mumsy/
“Check out Caitlin’s Garmin raffle for the Live Strong Foundation”
[...] and this made me think of you! you can enter to win a Garmin 305 for as little as five bucks. good cause, good raffle prize…what’s not to [...]
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know when the raffle is back on. I am SOOO down for this Caitlin!!
[...] disposal, laundry facilities and a fireplace. Sigh. *** You have until Thursday to enter Caitlin’s raffle for a 305 Garmin Forerunner! Caitlin is also training for the Echelon Gran Fondo in Napa and like [...]
[...] to do- Enter Caitlins 305 Garmin LiveStrong Raffle. It is for a good cause, with a good prize. Win. [...]