Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I register for the 14^th Annual Cycle for Life online?

Go to the "Participant Registration" button and complete the form. The online tool will guide you through the registration process. Once your transaction is complete, you will receive a confirmation email receipt.

How do I register off-line, using a check for my registration fee?

Click the "Mail-in Registration" link on the left side of your browser to download a registration form. Complete the form and mail it to the address provided with your check.

Can someone ride without being registered?

Everyone who rides must be registered. This ensures a safe and worry-free ride for every participant and helps the event start on time.

Can I register on the day of the event?

Yes, but we strongly recommend you pre-register to make sure you have all the advance information and materials you need. If you register the day of the event, registration fees increase from $50 to $75.

If my whole family is riding, does everyone have to register?

For safety and planning purposes, we require that every participant registers. Registration ensures that each rider receives a T-shirt and that ample staff and support are available.

How old must a child be to ride in the Cycle for Life?

Due to challenging course routes and associated safety concerns, riders under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride. It is strictly prohibited that they ride any part of the 25- or 50-mile route. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Why must participants under the age of 18 ride with a parent or guardian?

Safety is our top priority. With 25-mile and 50-mile rides, we want to ensure our young cyclists have the supervision and support they need to ride safely.

Is my information secure?

Yes. We make every effort to protect your information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet. We have also installed an encryption engine on our database server so that your data is securely stored.

I received a long website address in my confirmation receipt. What is it for?

This website address will take you to your personal donation page. This address link is automatically included in any emails that are sent through the email center in event headquarters after you have logged into the website. You can also copy and paste this link into any other form of email.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FUNDRAISING

What is the fundraising minimum?

The fundraising minimum is $150 and $250 for 25-mile and 50-mile riders, respectively. Please note registration fees are not tax deductible and do not count towards fundraising minimums and as donations to Cycle for Life. 

How do I earn an official Cycle for Life cycling jersey?

Each rider who raises $250 or more receives an official Cycle for Life cycling jersey. Please note registration fees are not considered donations to the Medical Center and cannot be counted toward your fundraising total to earn a cycling jersey.

Can you help me fundraise?

We want to make your fundraising easy and fun. We give you all the tools you need to succeed, including a Personal Fundraising Page where you can post your own message and a photo, track your fundraising progress, and organize an email campaign. Click Rider Tools to find lots of useful information.

Can friends and family make a donation to a rider by going through the main website?

Yes. On the home page of the website, friends and family can locate a rider by clicking on the "Support a Participant" button. By typing in the name of the rider, they will be directed to the participant's personalized donation page.

If I'm unable to ride for some reason after registering, am I still responsible for my fundraising goal?

If you can't attend the event or are unable to ride, please call us so we can cancel your registration. But remember, the registration fee is non-refundable, and we still encourage you to fundraise to meet your goal. Your fundraising efforts make a difference. Proceeds from Cycle for Life benefit Floating Hospital for Children's Cancer Center and its Child Life Services Program. Through laughter, play and understanding, Child Life Specialists help children and their families cope with the effects of chronic illness and hospitalization. They offer support before, during and after medical procedures to put these young patients and their families at ease.

How should I send my donations to Tufts Medical Center?

Please mail your checks in as soon as you receive them, along with your name, phone number and team name (if applicable) so we can properly credit your total. After you register, you can also direct people to donate online through your Personal Fundraising Page. All checks should be made out to Tufts Medical Center. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at cycleforlife@tuftsmedicalcenter.org or 617-636-4265.

Do you send acknowledgement letters for contributions?

Yes, Tufts Medical Center acknowledges all gifts and sends receipts for these gifts. If people donate online, they will get their receipts via email.

How does Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children use the contributions made to Cycle for Life?

Cycle for Life supports pediatric cancer patients and the Child Life Services Program at Floating Hospital for Children's Cancer Center. The goal of our Child Life Specialists is to make life as close to normal as possible for our young patients by helping them with schoolwork, creating arts and crafts projects, playing games, taking them on field trips, and staffing the playroom where kids can unwind. Additionally, our specialists work closely with the children, preparing them for medical procedures through play, sitting with them in operating and recovery rooms, working with siblings to help calm their fears, talking with parents while their child undergoes surgery, and so much more.

To get more information on how contributions to Cycle for Life are used, please email cycleforlife@tuftsmedicalcenter.org or call us at (617) 636-7656.


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QUESTIONS ABOUT TEAMS

Why do people form teams?

Teams are often formed to ride in honor or in memory of a friend or family member. For corporations, a team is a great way to build morale and develop camaraderie outside the office.  The fun and excitement that build up around such team activity often results in a higher fundraising total. Last year's top fundraising team brought in more than $19,000 to directly benefit the children at Floating Hospital for Children's Cancer Center!

How do I form a team?

Team captains can create a team during the registration process.

How will my team members register?

Team members must complete the registration form. Riders can join a team during their registration process by searching for the team name.

What if I register before my team captain? Can I join his or her team?

Registered riders can join a team from their Personal Fundraising Pages. Riders should click on the "Join a Team" button on his or her Personal Fundraising Page.

Can I join a team after I've completed the registration process?

Yes. If riders decide to join a team after they've completed their registration, they can join a team by clicking the "Join a Team" button on his or her Personal Fundraising Page.

Why must we have a team captain?

Having a single team captain simplifies the communications process. This way we have one designated person in the group with whom we communicate.

Is an individual rider automatically registered if he or she is on the team?

Every rider must register individually, whether or not he or she is on a team. You can join a team during the registration process or from your Personal Fundraising Page. You cannot join a team without being registered.

Is everyone on the team expected to raise the fundraising minimum?

Every rider is asked to raise the fundraising minimum - $150 for 25-mile riders and $250 for 50-mile riders. Your personal total rolls into the team total. Please note registration fees are not tax deductible and do not count towards fundraising minimums and as donations to Cycle for Life.  

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QUESTIONS ABOUT EVENT DAY

How can I preview the routes?

You can review and print our downloadable maps in the Rider Tools section.  Please note, due to unforeseen circumstances such as changes in traffic patterns, construction, etc. the route is subject to slight change before the event.

How do I get to the Cycle for Life?

Click on the "Directions" link on the left-hand side of your screen.

Do I have to be there promptly at starting time?

The ride begins promptly at 9 a.m.

Can I have my child ride with me in a child bike seat or trailer?

We do not allow a child bike seat or anything in tow on your bike. This ensures the safety of you and other riders who are participating in the Cycle for Life.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Why is the "Sponsor Rider" search not finding the Rider who has registered?

You must type in the first name or last name of the rider exactly how it's spelled. It is not case sensitive. If you have a problem locating a rider that you are sure has registered, please contact us.

How can I see who has donated to me?

Go to the login section on the site. Use the username and password that you received when you registered for the event. You can then view your donor list and the amounts that have been donated.

I forgot my username and password. How can I find out what they are?

Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. Click here to find your password. You will receive an email with your username and password. If you still have problems, please contact us by visiting our customer support site.

All of my donors are not showing up on the scroll mechanism. Why?

As your donors make a contribution, they have the option of whether or not they want to appear in the recognition scroll.

Who is Blackbaud?

Blackbaud is a marketing infrastructure service provider offering advanced Internet fundraising solutions to charitable, educational and political organizations. Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children has contracted with Blackbaud to provide online support for the 14th Annual Cycle for Life. Through the website you can register for the event, collect donations from family and friends and more.

Will Blackbaud put my name on various mailing lists?

Blackbaud, Kintera division collects and maintains only personal information that is voluntarily submitted to us. We will only share personally identifiable information with a third party if and when the individual submitting this information has permitted us to do so, or if we are required by law to do so.

Who can I talk to about other Cycle for Life questions?

Please call Mallory Todesco at 617-636-4265 or the Office of Development at 617-636-7656.

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