BlogHer: Tutus For Tanner

I have quite a bit to say about BlogHer 2010. There are three distinct areas I need to discuss: Emotional, Social, and Philanthropic, which I will split into three posts. First up – Philanthropic.

When I organized the BlogHer 5K, my motives were not selfish. I didn’t do it for money, traffic or branding. I just thought it would be cool to get out of the hotel and run/walk with some friends. And when Tutus For Tanner came along, I realized that the 5K could help people and raise awareness.

Little did I know just how much awareness would be raised. Shall we recap?

• I partnered with Tutus For Tanner to raise awareness for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
• Jon pledged to run the 5K as many times as he could and started to raise money for DMD research. He raised more than $2,900.
• Lots of other bloggers found unique ways to help Tanner’s cause.
• Scott Stratten organized this little thing called a Twitterthon, which I had never even heard of before. He raised a mere $29K (and counting) that will go directly toward making some of Tanner’s biggest wishes come true.
• Tanner is bound for BlogHer in NYC, but their vehicle isn’t wheelchair-assessable.
• They board an Air Canada flight instead. Air Canada breaks Tanner’s wheelchair.
• Twitter goes into #tutusfortanner frenzy. Air Canada gets served. They eventually make it right and announce they’ll send Tanner to Disney World.
• The story gets national news coverage.
• Over 150 women and men in tutus run through Central Park and midtown Manhattan, prompting many curious stares and questions. We all proudly tell the Story of Tanner.

I have so many people to thank for making the BlogHer 5K a success. This couldn’t have happened without support from the BlogHer organization (shout out to Lori and Jennifer). A huge thanks to Catherine, Scott, and Jon who used their social media super powers for the goodest of good. Hugs and thanks to Suzi, Shannon, Carmen and Diana for photos, tweeting, and making everything run smoothly. Thanks to our swag providers: Omron, Boiron, Steaz, Michael Antonio and Diets in Review. And thanks to Air Canada. Because your snafu lifted Tanner’s story to new heights.

Do you have a post about the 5K or Tutus for Tanner? Link it up here with Mr. Linky.