StepItUp!

Connect with nature, peers & yourself

How it works
Register
Donate/Fundraise
For Sponsors
Prizes & Drawing
Frequently asked Questions

Step it Up! is a free summer step event to promote physical activity AND give away some amazing fitness prizes all in support of young adult cancer survivors. From July 1 - August 31, 2024, registered participants can earn tickets to win prizes through logging a minimum of 150K steps, referring others, and/or donating/fundraising. No purchase or fundraising necessary to enter or win. Registration is open until August 31st, but don't wait until then to get stepping!

How it Works

Each registered participant can earn a total of 10 prize entry tickets across the three different event methods below during July and August, 2024:

Step to Win!

Your Steps = Up to 10 Entry Tickets! 
Earn 2 entry tickets for every 150K steps logged during July & August, 2024! You will be able to sync our free step-tracking app with your wearable step tracker (e.g., Fitbit, Apple watch) or simply carry your smart phone in your pocket.

150K steps = 2 entry tickets
300K steps = 4 entry tickets
450K steps = 6 entry tickets
600K steps = 8 entry tickets
750K steps = 10 entry tickets

*If you log > 750K steps during the event period, you're an absolute rock star, but you won't earn more entry tickets.

Refer to Win!

Your Referrals = Up to 10 Entry Tickets!
Earn 1 entry ticket for each new person you refer who registers and logs a minimum of 150K steps during the event period! Note, you only get 1 ticket for each referred person who logs 150K steps, even if they log more steps than that.
*If you refer > 10 people who log 150K steps during the event period, we will be jumping for joy, but you won't earn more entry tickets.

Donate/Fundraise to Win!

Your Donations/Fundraising = Up to 10 Entry Tickets
Donating money and fundraising is 100% optional, but for every $100 you donate and/or fundraise, you earn 1 prize ticket, up to $1000, or 10 tickets!
*If you donate or fundraise > $1000 during the event period, your ears will be burning with our songs of gratitude, but you won't earn more entry tickets.

REMEMBER, each registered participant can only earn a maximum of 10 entry tickets TOTAL across ALL 3 METHODS above (e.g., stepping, referring, donating/fundraising) between July 1 - August 31, 2024, so if you log 750K steps, refer 10 people, and fundraise $1000, you'll still only be credited with your max of 10 ticket entries for the prize drawings.

**If you are unable to step and you use a manual wheelchair for mobility, please reach out to us at [email protected] to learn about how you may participate!

Register

Stay tuned
for our 2025 Summer of Steps!

All participants must first register here:

Once you submit the registration form, the next screen will have links to download the free step tracking app and create an optional fundraising page, along with other details.

We'll also send you a confirmation email that includes all of this information so you have it.

Donate/Fundraise

Donating money and/or fundraising is 100% optional and not required to win. For every $100 donated or fundraised, you can earn 1 additional entry ticket up to 10 tickets max, or $1000.

Donate and/or create a fundraising page to share with others by clicking the respective buttons below:

Make A One-Time Donation

Create Personal fundraising page

Create a Fundraising TEAm

For Sponsors

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our event! Sponsorship support will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact in the lives of young adult cancer survivors, caregivers, and the community at large! By supporting this event as a sponsor, your organization will demonstrate its strong commitment to health promotion and giving back to the community through supporting initiatives that improve the lives of young adults affected by cancer. Sponsorship will offer widespread Brand Visibility and Recognition to new audiences of potential customers and stakeholders as well as Networking and Relationship Building with other industry leaders, healthcare professionals, and community members who share a passion for supporting cancer survivors.

Become a Sponsor

We offer the following sponsorship levels, each offering unique benefits and recognition opportunities:

Bronze Sponsor ($1500):

Logo placement on event website and marketing materials.

Silver Sponsor ($3,000):

All benefits of Bronze Sponsorship, plus:
Recognition on social media channels.

Gold Sponsor ($5,000):

All benefits of Silver Sponsorship, plus:
Dedicated social media posts highlighting the sponsor's support.
Verbal acknowledgement during the live-streamed music show.

Platinum Sponsor ($10,000):

All benefits of Gold Sponsorship, plus:
Sponsorship of a prize category (e.g., "Top Cancer Survivor Stepper").
Recognition in post-event press releases and media coverage.
VIP access and seating at the live-streamed music show.
Opportunity to speak at the event and share company message.

Diamond Sponsor ($50,000 and higher)

All benefits of Platinum Sponsorship, plus:
Event branding/naming opportunity

Become a Sponsor

Prizes & Drawing

Peloton Bike Prize! There will be two tickets drawn for new Peloton bikes! Membership not included.

Apple Watch Prizes! There will be five tickets drawn to win an Ultra 2 Apple Watch! Membership not included.

Surprise Prize! We will award surprise prizes to the Top Adult Stepper (18 or older), Top Youth Stepper (17 or younger), Top Fundraiser, Top Referrer, and Top Cancer Survivor Stepper (any age).

WALDEN Institute Prize! We will award a free week at the beautiful TNT WALDEN Institute Retreat Center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (www.tntwaldeninstitute.org) to the cancer support nonprofit, hospital program, or community-based organization with at least 25 program participants logging 150K steps or more. Please make sure those you refer list your organization's name on the registration form.
*Does not include travel costs, food, or other incidentals.

Live Prize Announcement Event
& Music Show on September 21st!

We will celebrate our collective steps and announce prize winners at a live-streamed live music show/cocktail party on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 from 7pm - 10pm at 9 Volt Studios in Evanston, IL.

Featured musical talent includes VanLawless, The Luxmen and other awesome local bands to be announced at a later date.

Given limited seating capacity, directions and information will be provided to participants who log a minimum of 150k steps and live in or near the Greater Chicago area.

*Prize winners do not need to be present to win. Only one prize per winner.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs and Event Rules

How much does it cost to participate in this event? Participation in this event is completely free.
When is the event period in which logged steps will be counted? From July 1st through August 31st, 2024. You can start and participate any time during this period, even if it's August 25th!
Do logged steps only count if they were recorded through the StepUp app, or can I back-enter steps from my wearable device? That is correct. "Logged" steps means they were logged through our app, so whenever you downloaded it and started tracking is when your steps started recording for this event. You can sync your wearable to our app, but you can't go back in time and enter steps from your wearable prior to registering.
Do I have to donate money or fundraise to be eligible to win prizes? No purchase, payment, or donation of any kind is necessary to enter or win. All entries have an equal chance of winning. A purchase, payment, or donation will not increase the chances of winning.
Do I have to log 150K steps to be eligible to win prizes? Actually, no. While we'd love it if you did (given the whole point of this event), you can earn prize entry tickets through donating/fundraising and referring others who log 150k steps during the event period.
Can I "invite" others from within the app? While there is a feature to invite others within the StepUp app, we ask that you only invite and refer others to participate by sending them either to this website (https://www.truenorthtreks.org/stepitup) or directly to the registration page (truenorthtreks.app.neoncrm.com/survey.jsp?surveyId=16&).
How do I earn prize tickets for referring others? Each person you refer who registers and logs a minimum of 150K steps between July 1st and August, 31, 2024 will earn you 1 additional prize ticket, up to 10 people. Make sure to let the person know to write your name (or your organization's name) on the registration form where it asks about who referred them so you can get credit.
Can anyone participate (and win)? Yes, as long as you register and earn a prize entry ticket through logging your steps, referring others, and/or donating/fundraising.
Can I win more than 1 prize? No, there's only one prize per participant, even if your name is drawn again.
Is there a maximum number of prize entry tickets I can get? The maximum number of prize entry tickets a participant can get (earned through any combination of stepping, referring, or donating/fundraising) is 10 tickets.
How are prize winners selected and announced? A random drawing will be conducted after close of the event period. Winners will be drawn from among all valid entries received during the event period. Winners will be announced at a live-streamed event on September, 21st, 2024 at 7pm CT. All winners will be notified and do not need to be in attendance (or watch) the event.
What are the odds of winning? The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received during the event period.
What if I win something I do not need or want. Is there a cash alternative? There is no cash alternative, however you may give it to someone, or decline it.
I am unable to step and use a manual wheelchair for mobility. Is there any way that I can participate? Yes. You can earn prize entry tickets by referring others and donating/fundraising. And if you're interested in a "step-alternative" for your wheelchair use, please write us at [email protected] and we'll let you know how that can be done.
Can I participate if I live outside of the United States? If you live outside of the US you can definitely register, download the app, and log your steps, however prize winners will only be selected from the 50 United States.
If I win a prize, will I have to pay tax? The IRS mandates that the value of a prize should be included in the winner’s gross income. Therefore, if the prize value is $600 or more, you will need to complete a 1099 form, which can be downloaded here: Form 1099. The information provided on the 1099 Form will include the sponsor’s name (e.g., True North Treks), address, tax ID, the value of the prize, the winner’s name, address, and social security number. The amount of tax the winner must pay on the prize is determined based on their income and tax bracket.

FAQs About the StepUp App

How do I download the StepUp app and join the Step it Up event? To participate in this event and be eligible to win prizes, all participants need to first Register before downloading the app and logging steps. Once you have registered, you will be provided with a unique URL to download the free app called "StepUp". After downloading and setting up Stepup, tap the invite link you received again to join our Step it Up! team. You can also tap the "+" button on the top right and copy/paste the invite link.
To download the StepUp app, click here: https://join.thestepupapp.com/h2Cj. Once you download the app, tap the link again (https://join.thestepupapp.com/h2Cj) to join the group or you can also copy & paste the invite link to join: Tap "+" button on the top right > Paste invite link (https://join.thestepupapp.com/h2Cj).
What is it like being a member of the Step it Up! event? All group members will see a group leaderboard for daily, weekly & monthly steps.
How does step tracking work with my phone? The StepUp app uses your phone's built-in fitness tracker on iPhone and android phones. Your phone counts your steps from your pocket, hand or bag in the background without impacting the battery. No need for a fitness band or separate pedometer! But you can also sync steps from a fitness band via Apple Health or Google Fit if you'd like.
How can I sync steps from wearables like Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, etc? StepUp works with just your phone. If you don't carry your phone with you all the time, you can also sync steps from supported wearables to StepUp via Apple Health or Google Fit. In StepUp, go to Settings > Sync with Wearable to set this up. iPhone/Apple Health supported devices: Apple Watch, Jawbone, Garmin, , Misfit, Pebble, Xiaomi, Mi Band and many more. NOTE: You need to sync steps from your device to Apple Health via its app, and you need to sync StepUp with Apple Health via StepUp settings > Sync wearable. Android/Google Fit supported devices: Android Wear devices, Xiaomi, Mi Band, Moto 360, Garmin, Withings and many more. NOTE: You need to sync steps from your device to Google Fit and it will automatically sync with StepUp.
How do I sync Fitbit with StepUp? On Android, you can sync wearables to StepUp via Google Fit. You can sync Fitbit to Google Fit via Google's Health Connect app. On iOS, you can sync wearables to StepUp via Apple Health (StepUp > Settings > Sync Wearable). But unfortunately Fitbit doesn't sync with Apple Health directly. So you'll need to use a 3rd party app like Sync Solver or Power Sync. Check out these posts for details.
What are Active Bot and Chill Bot? Active Bot & Chill Bot are virtual friends in StepUp that walk about 10K & 2K steps respectively. Many users like to pace themselves against them, and enjoy the gamified competition & motivation. You can hide (block/remove) them if you'd prefer, by swiping left on them in the leaderboard list, or by tapping on them, and tapping on "Hide" button in the top right.
Who can see my steps? Only others in the Step it Up! event will be able to see your steps. You will be able to see each other's today steps, yesterday steps, 7-day average steps and head to head record. You can privately hide (block) any person on StepUp and then they won't see you in StepUp, and you won't see them.
How accurate is the step tracking? StepUp uses your phone's built-in fitness tracker, which counts your steps from your pocket, hand or bag. Studies show that phone activity trackers can be more accurate than wearable activity trackers.
Will StepUp drain my battery? StepUp uses your phone's built-in step-sensor/fitness tracker, which works in the background without impacting the battery. Apps that use your location drain the battery, but since StepUp doesn't use your location, it is very battery friendly! :)
Which phones are supported by StepUp? StepUp works on all iPhones & Android phones: iPhones: iPhone 5s and newer phones; Android: All android phones from Google, Samsung, Moto, LG, Nexus, OnePlus, Xiami, Micromax, Karbon etc.

SUMMER OF STEPS!!