Message From Natalie Mezey – Team Zebra Ottawa Captain

Dear friends, past and future members of Team Z!

I have just set up my fundraising page for Team Zebra for the Ottawa Race Weekend this coming May 26th and 27th and I hope you will join my team!  This year my husband Bryde and I will once again be running to raise awareness and funds for the Carcinoid Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (CNETS) Canada.  As you know, this is a cause that is very close to my heart, not only because I lost my dear mother to this disease but also because I have met so many heroic people right here in Ottawa who are currently battling NET cancers.

Why should you participate in Team Z?
-By joining Team Zebra your race will be so much more meaningful than bragging rights and a finisher’s medal! Over 90% of all NET patients are incorrectly diagnosed as having IBS and other forms of cancer and wait on average 5-7 years for a correct diagnosis. Ottawa Race Weekend draws thousands of runners and spectators.  By wearing a Team Zebra shirt with information on CNETS Canada and NET cancers, your run could help someone get an earlier diagnosis and prolong their life.

-100% of the money you raise will go to NET Cancer research. For many charities, this is not the case. Unlike many other high profile charities and illnesses, NET cancer still gets very little attention even though it is the fastest growing class of cancers worldwide.  You might be surprised to find out that people like Audrey Hepburn, Steve Jobs and Paul Henderson had NET cancers.  These names are well known, and yet sadly, this form of cancer is not.   Awareness begets diagnosis, which begets interest, which begets research and funding for research.  Without more people knowing and taking an interest in this disease, the patients and the medical community will remain in this vicious cycle of misdiagnosis, little knowledge, little research and therefore little options for treatment.

-CNETS Canada is an entirely patient-driven charity, meaning everyone including the person processing donations is fighting a form of NET cancer.  Imagine how meaningful it is for them to receive a donation and to know there are people out there who are fighting to make the general public aware of this illness.

Most importantly, by joining Team Z you will be sending a strong message to the cancer patients in this community (some will be watching for you on race day!!) that this is a cause that others care about, and that they are not alone in this battle!

Do you have to be an athlete to participate? 
NO!  You don’t even have to be a runner.  You can walk or run the 2k or 5k!  If you are a runner then by all means up the ante with a 10k, half marathon or even marathon! The goal is to get as many runners wearing a Team Zebra shirt on race day as possible!

How do you join Team Z?
The first step is to REGISTER for a walk or run of your choosing.
During the registration process, prior to payment you will see “Create Personal Fundraising Page”. Select CNETS Canada from the drop down menu. You will then get a confirmation email that asks you to setup your own personal fundraising page.

Then, once you have completed registration and setup your fundraising page, all you have to do is share your page with friends and family and start running/walking!

I would be so grateful if you would join me in this meaningful cause! But if you can’t, please do share this information with your running and walking friends and encourage them to join!

Hope to have you on my team!

Natalie Mezey
Team Zebra Captain