A beginner’s 5K training plan on a one-month calendar for you to get started.

• Set a goal: Having a fundraising goal can be a great motivator. Choose a target that your friends and family can help you achieve by donating to and promoting your pledge page
• Remember the cause: Remember the significance of ESWO and why you are supporting us. Keeping in mind the importance of epilepsy awareness can fuel your passion for the cause and its fundraising efforts. For more information about ESWO and key facts about epilepsy to share, check out our Team Captain’s Kit.
• Prepare a list: Create a list of potential supporters to keep you focused on who to reach out to for pledges. Include friends, family, and co-workers who might be willing to donate to your walk/run.
• Create a team: Invite other family members, friends, or coworkers to join you in your walk/run. Get creative and make it a fun challenge for your team. Consider designing team shirts or outfits, decorating a route in your community together, or helping each other reach your fundraising goals. For more tips, check out our Team Captain’s Kit, and don’t forget to share your team photos with us!
• Personalize your request: If you have a personal connection to epilepsy or are walking in memory of someone, share your story. Update your pledge page with your story and pictures. Sharing your personal journey can make your fundraising efforts more impactful and resonate deeply with those around you.
• Invite them to support you in every way: if they cannot donate, consider asking them to join your team, share your pledge page, or help spread epilepsy awareness.
• Get the word out: Start by personalizing your pledge page and then share it through your networks. Use social media, email, text, phone calls, or even go door-to-door. Social media is especially effective for reaching people and raising epilepsy awareness. For helpful tips, check out our Social Media Toolkit. Share videos or photos of your 5K training or preparations for your walk. Have fun with it and let your enthusiasm shine through your campaign!
• Keep asking: don’t be scared to ask potential donors more than once. They may have forgotten and would appreciate the reminder to support the cause.
• Thank you: be sure to thank those who pledge you after their donation and after the Seize the Day event. They will be grateful knowing that their donation was important and appreciated!

Print off this pledge form to record any offline donations you collect.

Social Media is a great way to share your experience and reach out to your family and friends for their support. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook allow you to get creative and have fun with your fundraising! Consider sharing your pledge page, your personal epilepsy story, or who you’re walking for using the following tips. 

Here are some social media tips to help you fundraise… 

Choosing Photos: Make the photos you share representative of your campaign! Use photos of yourself dressed in purple, your participation in the walk/run, your pledge pages, or someone you are walking in honour of. Get creative and have fun with it. A picture is worth 1000 words!

Stories: Posting stories are a simple and an effective way to promote your fundraiser. You can re-share your old post in case some of your followers had missed it, post information about your fundraiser, or share ESWO’s posts about the walk/run.

Reels/ TikToks: Recording Instagram Reels or TikToks is a fun and creative way to effectively bring attention to your fundraiser. You can simply explain your mission through talking, record how you are training for the walk/run, or use a current trend to share the importance of your fundraiser.

Link your page: Make getting to your fundraising page easier by adding the page link to your social media posts, stories, or bios.

Hashtags: Expand your reach by including hashtags such as #epilepsy, #epilepsyawareness, and #purplenation.  

Tag us: Tag ESWO’s social media accounts @epilepsyswo on your fundraising posts and stories so we can re-share them on our story!

Livestream: Tell your family and friends a day and time to tune in to your virtual event. Interact with your viewers, tell them why you’re fundraising and ask them to donate!

Captions: Try to keep your social media short, fun and to the point. Tell them what you are doing off the top and be creative!

Examples: 

• I’m walking for ______ during @epilepsyswo in support of #epilepsyawarness 
• Show your support for #epilepsyawareness by donating to my fundraiser for @epilepsyswo [insert link to pledge page] 
• I’m wearing purple today in support of @epilepsyswo to raise #epilepsyawareness 
• Join me in participating in ESWO’s Seize the Day Walk as an #epilepsywarrior!
• Join the #purplenation! Become a supporter of ESWO with me to raise epilepsy awareness.

  Make a Challenge: Use your social media platforms to promote a fun challenge to help collect more donations. Choose an activity that suits you, get creative, and post about it to your followers! 

For every X-amount donated I will…

• Do 10 push-ups
• Bake cookies for the donor
• Dance in a funny costume
• Wear purple for an entire week
• Write a poem about epilepsy
• Pour a bucket of water over your head
• Whatever you can think of- the sky is the limit!

We thank you for your support of ESWO and we hope you have a fun time with your friends and family participating in this event, raising awareness about epilepsy, and making an impact through the organization. Your participation and effort is greatly appreciated by ESWO and the families and individuals who will benefit from your fundraising.

The Seize the Day 2.5K Walk and 5K Run supports individuals, families, and community members living with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Whether you’re walking in memory of someone who has passed away from a seizure, supporting those affected by epilepsy, or raising awareness about this condition, everyone in our community is welcome to participate in this annual event.

This guide will provide background information about Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario, highlight your role as Team Captain, and offer tips on how to manage a successful Seize the Day team. Thank you for dedicating your time to becoming a Team Captain! Your support of Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario is greatly appreciated, and we hope you enjoy fundraising and participating in the event with friends, family, and coworkers. Your efforts and contributions as a Team Captain make a significant impact on families and individuals in the community, and we are truly grateful to have you as a part of the ESWO community.

Benefits of Being a Team Captain

Benefits for You:

• Community Recognition: Be acknowledged as a leader in your community.
• Local Support: Contribute positively to your local community.
• Awareness and Education: Help reduce the stigma and dispel myths about epilepsy by raising awareness.

Benefits for Your Company/Employer:

• Community Profile: Strengthen your company’s community presence and demonstrate commitment to charitable causes.
• Employee Morale: Boost employee morale through participation in a positive team environment.
• Engagement: Actively engage in an important cause alongside friends, family, and colleagues.

Benefits for Your Team Members:

• Team Building: Promote team cohesion and foster a sense of social responsibility.
• Accomplishment: Create a sense of individual and team achievement by supporting Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.
• Family Fun Day: Enjoy a fun-filled day that includes a run/walk, entertainment, and a community barbecue.

Your Role as Team Captain

As Team Captain, your role is to inspire and motivate your team members to engage with the community and raise funds.

A Great Team Captain for Seize the Day:

• Provides Support and Guidance: Help team members reach their fundraising goals and foster positive engagement with Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.
• Offers Resources: Share fundraising tips, encourage positive engagement, and provide information about Seize the Day and Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.
• Communicates Effectively: Highlight the benefits of joining the team and maintain communication throughout the fundraising period.

Overview of Your Role:

• Set a Fundraising Goal: Establish a team fundraising goal, considering individual targets.
• Solicit Support: Invite friends, family, and co-workers to support your team and make donations.
• Provide Resources: Offer information and tips on fundraising to your entire team.
• Encourage Participation: Motivate your team to attend the event and celebrate your collective success and the achievements of Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario.

How to Recruit and Manage a Successful Team 

Step 1: Start recruiting

• Contact anyone you know who would be interested in joining your team:
• Co-workers, family, friends, athletic teams or organizations who are committed to a healthy lifestyle
• Big-hearted people
• Anyone who volunteers or works with charities and would love to support a great cause
• Your team members can register online or complete a paper form, indicating the Team Name as it appears online. 
• If you have permission to do so, we encourage you to post sign-up information or a poster in your office.

Step 2: Set a fundraising goal

Start fundraising today! Carpe Diem.
Set a SMART fundraising goal – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. With an outcome in mind, your team will be motivated to go above and beyond that goal. 

Step 3: Talk about Seize the Day

Talk about Seize the Day and Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario with friends, family members and colleagues. Invite them to attend the event and watch you cross the finish line.

Making the Pitch 

We appreciate your personal investment in ESWO’s mission and your dedication to ensuring the success of the Seize the Day event. Together, we are united in our mission to improve the lives of those impacted by epilepsy and seizure disorders. To assist you in effectively conveying this message to others, we’ve provided the following information.

Mission

Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario enhances the lives of people who are affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders by providing a network of services that educate, support and build community awareness.

Vision

Our vision is a community free of barriers where persons affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders are empowered and supported to live a life of dignity, self-worth and hope.

Values

We are dedicated to providing innovative services that are responsive to individual needs. We are both inclusive and collaborative in our approach to ensure that all individuals with epilepsy have the opportunity to fully participate in their community.

Facts about epilepsy

Share our fact sheet or use the facts below:

• Epilepsy is a condition of the brain which is defined after multiple and recurrent seizures.
• As one of the most common chronic neurological disorders, approximately 1 in 10 Canadians experience at least one seizure during their lifetime. 
• 1 in 100 Canadians have epilepsy and based on that estimate, 333, 000 people in Canada have epilepsy.
• Fear of exclusion is typical for those with epilepsy. Some families whose children have epilepsy do not inform their schools of their child’s condition to avoid potential exclusion.

Thank you!

Thank you for your support of ESWO! We hope you enjoy a memorable time with your friends and family as you participate in this event, raising awareness about epilepsy and making a meaningful impact through our organization. Your participation and dedication are deeply valued by ESWO and the families and individuals who will benefit from your fundraising efforts.