Run Without Borders Virtual 5k

Join the movement to help provide urgent life saving medical care to people who need it most by participating in our virtual 5K!

We are the University of Rochester Doctors Without Borders Student Chapter. Our club’s mission is to raise awareness of the value of humanitarian aid, specifically to the field work of Doctors Without Borders (DWB), to educate students about global health issues and the international response to those issues, and to engage the student population in fundraising that supports the work of DWB.  With your participation, we will be able to raise awareness for promoting health equity and accessibility worldwide!

Why a virtual 5K?

The purpose of the Run Without Borders challenge is for students to run/walk in solidarity with the thousands of Doctors Without Borders patients worldwide who, unfortunately, must walk long distances to access lifesaving medical treatment. We also want to use this challenge as an opportunity to teach the campus community about the global impact of DWB.

On an international level, DWB provides impartial and immediate emergency aid to marginalized patients in response to conflicts, disasters and epidemics. The organization’s activities around the world include basic health care, surgery, vaccination and treatment of certain illnesses that pose serious public health problems. By participating in the 5K, we hope that students are able to spread awareness regarding the work of DWB in eradicating racial, religious, and gender associated barriers to healthcare.

How do I participate in the virtual 5K?

Sign up is easy! Just register using the link above AND the event link on CCC. After signing up, you can choose whether to run, jog, or walk the 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) anytime throughout the month, from anywhere you can (see WHERE section above).

We encourage everyone to take pictures of their Run Without Borders experience and share them on social media to help spread awareness about DWB! Don’t forget to tag us @uofrdoctorswithoutborders!

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Please be sure to maintain social distancing guidelines (6 feet distance between runners) at all times. On-campus participants are encouraged to follow the on-campus route mapped out below. Off-campus participants are advised to follow their own state and local restrictions about public spaces, trails, or running locations. Please run/jog/walk in a safe neighborhood and consider bringing a friend. Have fun!

What do I do after I finish the race?

When the race period starts, you will be emailed instructions for how to submit your time. You can do that by either responding to the email with the correct format, or by using the website link provided.

After the race is over, we will share the total distance our participants have walked in solidarity with DWB patients!

Are there any prizes?

YES!! Anyone who registers and completes the race will be eligible to win one of five available customized race t-shirts. Winners will be randomly selected and notified at the end of the race. T-shirts will be mailed out (or available for campus pick-up) once the race period has ended.

Thanks to your support, we can help DWB provide medical care to people in need around the world.

Optional:

Should I Fundraise?

Race sign up is free, however if you choose to do so, we encourage you to donate to DWB USA. Why? Because no one should have to travel long distances to access basic health care. And no one should spend a life in pain or suffering. Take Aboubacar, a father from Niger who walks several km to get healthcare for his malnourished daughter and pregnant wife, or David, a DWB field worker from South Sudan walks extremely long distances to get medical care for his displaced patients. While DWB medical professionals around the world work to help these individuals in need of emergency medical aid, we want to do our part to fund those efforts.

The Impact of your Donation:

Just:

$1 can buy 90 tablets of ibuprofen

$20 can purchase 30 packs of therapeutic food

$50 can purify 800 000 L of water

As you can see, these small donations can go a long way. In addition to participating in this race, you would be helping fund the work that DWB provides. Together, we can save lives.

Click this link to offer additional donations! Your proceeds will help Doctors Without Borders USA to help fund their lifesaving medical aid initiatives worldwide!

Stay Connected with Us!

Email: uofrdoctorswithoutborders@gmail.com

Instagram: @uofrdoctorswithoutborders

Facebook page: UofR Doctors Without Borders

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Please register for our event on the CCC Website after signing up here!

http://cglink.me/r828100