How many Jackpot Challenge winners are there?

There are three prizes – grand prize, second prize and third prize.  Each prize will be awarded to ONE fundraiser though the grand prize is for two people.

Will I get to meet any riders?

Yes, you will be invited to the pre-race press conference and get to meet the top five riders there.

Why isn’t my name appearing as a fundraiser for my city?

The rankings are only updated on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so check back in a few days.

Can I transfer my prize if I can’t go?

As long as the person accepting the prize meets the age or parental guidance criteria.

Can additional members of my family purchase tickets in the seats next to mine?

We will make our best efforts to accommodate extra family members but we may have to move the seating area to accommodate you.

When will I found out if I won?

The winner will be announced on the MX for Children website (www.mxforchildren.org) and will be contacted by email on April 15, 2012.

How should I raise money?

Print this page on the MX for Children on fundraising tips.    Use the guidelines there to ask friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, sponsors, and businesses you patronize.

Who will benefit?

The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (www.hcrn.org) is a collaboration of seven leading pediatric hospitals in North America.  The participating hospitals are in Birmingham, Houston, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Seattle, St. Louis and Toronto.  Neurosurgeons at each of these hospitals will benefit from the investment in their research but ultimately the kids who suffer from hydrocephalus will benefit the most.

Can my local children’s hospital benefit?

If your local children’s hospital is not one of those listed above, it can only benefit indirectly from the treatments and protocols that get defined by the HCRN research.  All proceeds go to the seven hospitals mentioned above.

Do my Inside Line Experience pledges for hospital in Houston, Toronto, St. Louis, Seattle, and Salt Lake City count?

Yes!  You earn the Inside Line Experience in any of these cities AND have those funds count toward the Jackpot Challenge.

Do I need to sign up on both the Challenge site as well as the SickKids site?

Yes, but you only need to raise pledges on your SickKids site to qualify for the Jackpot Challenge.  We will take care of recognizing your fundraising efforts on the Jackpot Challenge site so you can see where you stand in competing for the grand prize.

How do I get credit for checks that I am given?

Print out the offline donation form on the Jackpot Challenge website and send your checks made out to the Hydrocephalus Association to MX for Children, PO Box 141, Woodinville, WA 98072.  Checks must arrive by April 12, 2012 to be counted for the grand prize.

Who should checks be made out to?

Checks should be made out to the Hydrocephalus Association.  This organization is the fiscal agent and 501©(3) for this fund drive meaning we use their tax exempt status to collect the donations and they distribute the funds to the participating hospitals.

How much will it take to win?

It is a competition and there is no fixed answer.  Top fundraisers in the past have raised more than $2500.

How can I tell how I am doing?

The MX for Children Jackpot Challenge site  (http://mxforchildren.kintera.org) has a list of the top fundraisers.

What is hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus (hi-dro-sef-a-lus) is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities of the brain called ventricles.  It is a life threatening condition for which there is no cure.  The only treatments are surgical and the leading treatment, the implantation of a shunt to redirect the excess fluid, has the highest failure rate of any medically implanted device – 50% fail within two years.  Hydrocephalus patients are often subjected to multiple invasive brain surgeries just to survive.

How many people can I bring with me if I win?

The grand prize provides travel, hotel and VIP passes for two.  You can bring more people but all expenses and access is limited to the two VIP passes.

Is MX for Children a 501©(3)?

All of the donations for the MX for Children Jackpot Challenge are 100% deductible.  MX for Children is not a 501 © (3).   Instead it is a group of volunteers who work under the not for profit status of hospitals and organizations to provide fundraisers and events benefiting children’s hospitals around North America.

Are people’s donations tax deductible?

Yes, 100% tax deductible.

I am not in U.S. or Canada, can I still participate?

Yes, but you cannot qualify for the grand prize.

What happens if there is a tie?

A tie is highly unlikely. In the event of a tie, MX for Children will toss a coin to select a grand prize winner in the case of a tie.

What hotel will we stay at?

The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

What is the deadline for funds to be received?

All funds must be received online or at the MX for Children PO Box by April 12, 2012.

What is HCRN?  What is the Hydrocephalus Association?

HCRN – the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network – is a not for profit collaborative effort of pediatric neurosurgeons to improve treatments and outcomes for children suffering from hydrocephalus.   For more information, go to the HCRN website

The Hydrocephalus Association is not for profit that seeks to eliminate the challenges of hydrocephalus through stimulating innovative research and providing support for people that suffer from hydrocephalus. For more information, go to the HA Website

Why does the challenge site say “Hydrocephalus Association”?

The Hydrocephalus Association is providing the not for profit fiscal agency to collect and distribute the donations raised to the pediatric hospitals that participate in the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Nework.