The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation

Patients & Caregivers

RFA Walk

Founding Running for Answers (RFA):
How One Patient Made a Big Difference

In 2008, Sera Snyder was battling an abdominal desmoid tumor. After running a half marathon in October 2009 to raise money for the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (a campaign she called, “Running for Answers”), Sera decided to try to make a bigger impact. With a committed and caring group of friends, family and fellow patients, Sera founded the Running for Answers 5 miler in 2010. Marrying her passion for running with her marketing talents, Sera and her small committee attracted over 350 runners and raised over $65,000 for DTRF in what became the first annual Running for Answers event, now known as RFA. Today, the DTRF RFA 5K & Fun Run is the DTRF’s signature annual fundraising event, raising more than $1 million for the foundation over its first 10 years.

In person / virtual 

RFA Walk

Click the button to the right to start your own fundraising journey by registering for the virtual option. Even though the in-person walk is over, keep the fun going and help us fund a cure for desmoid tumors!

The RFA Walk, founded as Running for Answers by desmoid tumor patient Sera Snyder in 2009, is our annual signature fundraising event and was the celebratory finale of the annual DTRF Together We Will Weekend.

RFA fundraising is still OPEN until October 31, 2024.

Register Here

2024 RFA Walk Sponsors

Create a team!

Back by popular demand, we’re kicking off the 2024 RFA Walk – 15×15 Challenge! 

Follow these steps to start your fundraising team:

  1. Recruit at least 15 team members for the RFA Walk in-person or virtually by July 15th.
  2. Once 15 team members or more are reached, Debbie Nathan, DTRF Development Director, will contact the Team Captain to create a custom-designed t-shirt for race day or virtually for ALL of your team members!
  3. Your team will have until August 15th to raise $1,500 to further the DTRF’s mission! This goal can be achieved by one person or all 15+ participants.
  4. Once the fundraising goal is reached, your team t-shirts will be created and mailed to the Team Captain for distribution to the team!

Don’t forget to take photos of your team and have fun along the way! Get ideas for how to build your team in our RFA Fundraising Toolkit.

 

Past RFA Highlights

Nothing beats being together. Desmoid tumor patients kick off RFA's 10th birthday in 2019.
Hannah Rose (captain of Team Hannah Rose) holds our unicorn cake as we sing "Happy Birthday" to RFA in 2019. She's surrounded by her fellow patients and supporters.
In 2019, longtime RFA Snack Sponsor, Conner Catering, brought muscle and smiles to race morning.
Team Margie comes down from New York annually to be with us. The team is "6 Years Strong" in 2019.
Unstoppable! Strong, fast legs kick off the 2016 RFA Fun Run!
Even rain didn't stop these 5K runners in 2018. Cheesesteaks for these guys, please!
RFA Founder, Sera Snyder (right), and desmoid tumor patient, Dana Lawson (left), address a crowd of supporters at RFA in 2017.
Another team finish in the books! Desmoid tumor patient Chris and his family cross the finish line together in 2017 – a WIN!
In memory of Kate R., Kate's Krewe brings us some sunshine as they lead a Zumba warmup at the 2017 race.
From the patient perspective: With desmoid tumor patients' backs to the stage, a crowd of supporters takes photos of their favorite people prior to the 2017 race.

RFA Fundraising Inspiration

DeAnn traveled 2,100+ miles “to Philly” virtually, recruiting donors as her team members and sharing a U.S. map showing her progress.

Dana did a 5K hike in elevation change (16,404 feet) using hand crutches, and used that as her fundraising goal of $16,404. She shared photos and videos of her journey.

Margie encouraged friends and family to do their own 5Ks at home and to make donations to match them.

Jackie shot a wacky lip sync video for every $200 raised and shared the videos online.

From our amazing community of supporters

“

“I Run For Answers so that I can do my part to empower the desmoid community with the knowledge and support that we need to best treat our disease. I felt so lost and alone when I was first diagnosed in 1992. The DTRF connected me with other patients and engaged physicians, which brought hope to my struggles. The money that we raise supports the DTRF in their mission to develop improved therapies and ultimately, to find a cure!”

Tiffany B.

US

“

“I Run for Answers for the hope that one day I will be able to live my life pain free and return to how it was before diagnosis. I Run for Answers so that hopefully one day a desmoid tumor is a thing of the past, for the hope that anyone diagnosed in the future will quickly be cured. I Run for Answers (or “wheel” for answers) in memory of the fighters we have lost and in honor of all who are continuing to fight.”

Kayla B.

US

“

“RFA has been fantastic. These guys are my family.”

DeAnn S.

Utah, US

“

“It’s not really about how far I run or how quickly I run, it’s just about the fact that I’m here and its just a gift to be here at RFA and I’m so grateful for it.”

Dana L.

US

“

“We’re here to walk to raise money for the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation. They are so important to raising awareness about the disease and helping us get in touch with the best doctors for my daughter. We wouldn’t miss it.”

Hillary C.

Pennsylvania, US

“

“This is a special weekend. This day does not happen without the amazing support of the directors and everybody. It just means the world to me to see people out here helping something that nobody really, besides us, cares or knows about.”

Brad F.

Ohio, US

“

“Hopefully we’ll find a cure someday. This is my third year coming to RFA and every year I’m gonna come back.”

Cindy

US

“

“The success of RFA shows how incredibly important the patients are to this organization and how much the organization means to the patients because all we did was give them space to come here and they’ve created this amazing event with their friends and family. So, thanks to the DTRF for being an organization that has changed the lives of so many.”

Sera Snyder

US