Dear Friends and Family (Better to Personalize Whenever Possible),

This fall I’m going to be running in the New York City Marathon.  It’s a great opportunity for me to challenge myself and to run in one of the world’s great road races, but it’s also an opportunity for me to help kids who have Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis get the treatment and support they need to lead normal, productive lives.  I’m running the marathon with Team IBDkids and raising funds on behalf of the Children’s IBD Center at Mount Sinai.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two illnesses known as inflammatory bowel disease or “IBD”.   IBD is a chronic illness that causes swelling, inflammation and pain in the digestive tract.  Its causes are only partially understood and there is no known cure.  Even when the disease is severe the Children’s IBD Center’s treatments and family support strive to make sure that kids with IBD can grow and mature like their friends do, and keep them in school and out of the hospital.

My marathon run with Team IBDkids is going to help by funding innovative research, therapies and social support at the Children’s IBD Center at Mount Sinai (www.ibdkids.org).  I have set a personal goal to raise $XX,000 (your goal amount) through my run by marathon day, November 3.

(Personalize why you want to run and/or why you want to run for the Children’s IBD Center).
SAMPLE – As you know I’ve been running on and off for 10 years, but I really wanted to challenge myself by running a marathon!  The chance to support this worthy organization really means that I’m running with a purpose……

Or

SAMPLE – My 12 year old niece is one of more than one million Americans who suffer from IBD.  Since being diagnosed three years ago she has endured the debilitating effects of this disease.  There is no cure for IBD and one of the Center’s main functions is providing research toward finding the answers. Your tax deductible donation will help make the difference for my niece and other kids who suffer from IBD. …….

(In closing, request the donation and give them the means to donate.)
I hope you’ll support me in reaching my goal by November 3 and make a donation.  Any amount you can give helps.  It will not only spur me on, but it will also help fund the programs and research of this worthy organization.  You can send your tax deductible donation to

The Children’s IBD Center at Mount Sinai
One Gustav L. Levy Place Box 1656
New York, NY  10029

Or visit my personal fundraising page at (your fundraising web page’s address here) to make a secure, online donation.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

your name and signature here

PS – I hope you’ll help me by spreading the word to others who might be interested in supporting the Children’s IBD Center at Mount Sinai and the work that they do.