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FAQ: Summit 2023
Learn more about how the 2023 ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit will work, registering to attend, fundraising, and more.
In-Person Attendance
What is the COVID-19 vaccination policy for in-person attendance?
All in-person attendees will be required to show proof of a full vaccination against COVID-19. You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. For most people, this means the updated bivalent booster that became available in September 2022 (exceptions to the booster requirement for documented medical reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis). For more information, email summit@zerocancer.org. Vaccine recommendations are different depending on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose. The CDC’s vaccination guide can help you learn if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination.
How else will ZERO ensure the safety of in-person attendees?
Our #1 priority is and always will be the safety of patients, loved ones, and all attendees at events.
In addition to requiring all in-person attendees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, we also recommend wearing masks at all times while indoors.
All participants are asked to report symptoms by emailing summit@zerocancer.org and isolate if they begin showing symptoms while on site. If ZERO becomes aware of a Summit attendee testing positive for COVID-19 during or immediately following the event, ZERO will be in immediate contact with Summit attendees.
ZERO is carefully monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in the Capitol Area, along with vaccination rates, local government ordinances, CDC guidelines, and the direction of our Medical Advisory Board. At this time, their guidance is that the Summit can be done safely, when all participants, volunteers and staff follow mandatory guidelines to control the spread of the disease.
Mask recommendations may change as the public health situation in the area evolves. The hotel and convention center also maintains all best practices recommended by the CDC to minimize attendees’ exposure to COVID-19, including high-volume ventilation, frequent disinfection of surfaces, and accommodations for social distancing wherever possible. Attendees have the option to receive their meals to-go if they would prefer not to eat in a group.
As we all know, the reality of the pandemic is continually changing. As the Summit draws closer, we will continue to monitor the situation, and adjust logistics however necessary to keep everyone safe, and be in constant communication with all attendees about how COVID-19 will impact the event.
Finally, we understand that not everyone will feel comfortable meeting in person for the Summit. For this reason, the Summit will also offer a comprehensive digital experience for remote attendees. Similar to the Virtual Summit in 2022, there will be a live digital experience for remote attendees, including streaming video of live presentations, a website portal with tools for connecting to other attendees, and more. Registration is free for virtual attendees, and you can register now!
What can I expect if I attend the ZERO Summit in person?
The ZERO Summit is the biggest and most impactful meeting in the movement to end prostate cancer. Held annually in Washington, D.C., the ZERO Summit brings together a community of support from across the U.S. – more than 350 patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members whose lives have been changed because of prostate cancer.
We come to build support for one another, and to stand by the men and families who are facing the toughest battles of their lives. We come to learn from the best minds in research about the development of new diagnostics and treatments, and care of those who are facing down this disease. And we come to take action, equipping advocates to make an impact in their home communities, and meeting with elected officials to protect and expand research funding.
If you have questions about the Summit, email summit@zerocancer.org to connect with a ZERO Summit Ambassador. They can answer questions and tell you about why they return each year and about the value they get from attending.
What is the cost for in-person registration for the 2023 Summit?
In-person registration is $60. This includes attendance, materials, breakfast, and lunch throughout the event. The registration fee does not include airfare or hotel room.
Where should I stay? Is there a discounted rate for a local hotel?
Yes! ZERO has reserved a block of discounted rooms for attendees to stay on-site at the venue where the Summit will be hosted. The 2023 ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.
Attendees can take advantage of this discounted rate by using this special link to reserve a room at The Gaylord Hotel no later than February 3 (or until all available rooms in the block have been reserved). To reserve your room, you will need to provide a credit card number to hold your place, but payment will not be charged until you arrive at the hotel. Attendees who would like to be connected with a roommate to reduce their hotel costs can email summit@zerocancer.org.
In addition to being on-site for the Summit, The Gaylord is also just minutes away from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), and only steps away from the shores of the Potomac River, dozens of shops, and a variety of restaurants.
Will scholarships be available for those who cannot afford the cost of travel and lodging?
Yes, a limited number of need-based scholarships will be available to help offset the cost of travel and/or lodging. Simply register for the Summit as an in-person attendee, and indicate that you are willing to fundraise.
What is the "Fundraise to attend" option?
In-person attendees now have the option of fundraising their way to attend!
With this non-scholarship option, attendees commit to a fundraising minimum in exchange for no-cost airfare and/or hotel lodging. Participants fundraise to meet their goal, with a pledge to make a donation.
Virtual Attendance
How is the experience different if I attend virtually instead of in-person?
While we’ll miss seeing you in person (and you will miss out on some of our in-person activities and sessions), you’ll still have a way to experience our most popular live presentations and connect with others online. A virtual event is essentially an event that you can attend from the comfort and convenience of your home, office, or any other location, through your personal computer or mobile device. Whether you’re attending virtually online or in-person, you can expect to learn about the latest disease topics, meet others you can connect with, and advocate for prostate cancer policies.
Virtual attendees will experience the Summit in real time by logging into our virtual experience website: a one-stop place to watch live streams of various presentations, interact with other attendees and exhibitors, and more. To get a feel for our educational programming, check out video of the 2022 Summit.
The bottom line is that the Virtual ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit gives you a chance to fundraise, advocate, educate, and celebrate in a way that is feasible and safe for you.
If you have questions about the Summit, email summit@zerocancer.org to connect with a ZERO Summit Ambassador. They can answer questions and tell you about why they return each year and about the value they get from attending.
What will it cost to attend virtually?
Great news — the Summit is free to attend for virtual participants! Since attending the Summit is free, participants are encouraged to donate or fundraise to support ZERO and its programs to help men and families receive assistance and community when they need it most. Sign up for free now!
When will the virtual Summit take place?
Virtual attendees will be able to experience the 2023 Summit live, starting with the Bold for Blue Awards on the night of February 26. Throughout the Summit, you’ll be able to log into our website for the virtual experience, which will become available a week before the event.
Will I need to download an app to participate digitally?
No. The virtual Summit will be entirely website-based. You’ll be able to access the site through your desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device, with no extra technology to download or configure.
One week before the event, attendees will receive instructions for how to get into the virtual Summit website.
Do I have to always tune in live?
No. After the Summit is complete, you’ll be able to watch archived recordings of our speaker sessions, whenever it is convenient for you.
However, viewing live sessions will allow you to join in active conversations, engage with experts in real-time, and more. Be sure to register for the Summit in advance so you can get the latest updates on speakers, sessions, and more.
What about advocacy visits?
We expect 2023 to be a return to “normal” for our Capitol Hill visits. Advocates will meet with their elected officials and staff in their offices on Tuesday, February 27 after our training session on Monday.
If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that nothing is 100% certain, and we will keep advocates informed if and when in-person meeting policies change on Capitol Hill. But one thing is certain: ZERO advocates absolutely will be meeting with elected officials to discuss prostate cancer research funding, healthcare coverage, and more.
Advocate recruitment is currently underway, but if you’re interested in telling your story to help us promote policy change that will help men and their families, email summit@zerocancer.org.
What can I do to amplify virtual experience and make it my own?
Call a friend you always see at Summit and tune in together, or wear your best blue outfit from the comfort of your own home during the Bold for Blue Awards!
You can also join with the #ZEROStrong community across the country by fundraising to support prostate cancer patients and bring more voices to Capitol Hill to advocate for prostate cancer. And if you’re a patient, caregiver, or loved one of someone who has faced prostate cancer, be sure to join ZERO Connect, an online support network active on Facebook.
Fundraising & Scholarships
Will need-based scholarships be available?
Yes, but on a limited basis.
Because of our limited funding for scholarships, we’re offering the option for all attendees to fundraise to help bring more patients, caregivers, and other advocates in key legislative districts to meet with decision-makers on Capitol Hill.
And for those who aren’t able to receive a scholarship, ZERO is introducing a new way to get to the Summit in person this year: the “Fundraise to Attend” option. And for those who just can’t join us in D.C., the Virtual Summit attendee option is available for no cost.
What is the new "Fundraise to attend" option?
“Fundraise to attend” is a non-scholarship option meant to help attendees get to the Summit in-person, potentially at no cost to themselves.
Essentially, you’ll commit to reaching a minimum fundraising goal by November 30, 2022, and ZERO will arrange for your airfare and/or hotel lodging. Anyone who is able to get donations up to or beyond their minimum fundraising amount by November 30, 2022, will have the cost of their travel and/or hotel covered completely. For those who fall short of the fundraising minimum, the balance due will be charged to the card on file on December 1, 2022. But don’t worry, we will be coaching you along the way with fundraising tips and tricks emails and personal support from a ZERO staff partner. You will have reminders of the deadline and an option to decline having your card charged the balance owed to the fundraising minimum if you change your mind. Note: Any donations collected up to the time of cancellation can not be refunded or used toward the cost of travel and/or lodging.
An overview of the Fundraise to Attend Levels:
Full Scholarship (which includes flight & hotel) = $2,000
Hotel only – $1,200
Flight only – $1,000
Do scholarship recipients have a fundraising minimum?
While every need-based scholarship recipient will have a personal fundraising page created, scholarship attendance to the Summit will not depend on meeting a fundraising goal.
What requirements will there be for those who receive a needs-based scholarship?
If you are awarded a scholarship, we will be in direct contact with you to review the logistics, expectations, and timing of your journey to the Summit.
Can I fundraise to support the Summit without a scholarship or fundraising minimum?
Absolutely! Putting together the Summit, bringing advocates to D.C., and supporting patients throughout the event is costly, and registration fees don’t cover all of the cost of each attendee. Your fundraising will help offset costs, benefit patients in need, and fuel research pipelines.
YOU can make a difference by fundraising to help patients receive the support they need to fight their battle against prostate cancer. It’s an amazing chance to give back to the prostate cancer community after receiving a free, educational opportunity like the Summit!
How do I fundraise for the Summit?
At the start of the Summit registration process you’ll be asked whether you’d like to fundraise. Simply answer yes, and you’ll be able to select between simple fundraising to support the event or the new “Fundraise to Attend” option. Select the appropriate choice, complete registration, and you’ll be ready to start fundraising!
Once you’re registered, you’ll get easy-to-use tools for creating a Facebook Fundraiser connected to your page in just a couple of clicks, sending email requests to people in your address book, and more. You will also receive a second registration confirmation email with a link to your fundraising page. And we’ll be in touch with easy tips and guidance for how to fundraise for the Summit. It’s as simple as asking and posting, we promise!
Could I just set up a Facebook Fundraiser without making a page on the ZERO Summit website?
Absolutely! If you chose to fundraise during Summit registration, your participant center has a tool that will automatically create a fundraiser for you in just a couple of clicks.
And for those who didn’t indicate that they’d like to fundraise during registration, it’s easy to set up a fundraiser directly within Facebook by following these easy steps:
- Login and “like”
Log in to your Facebook account and head to ZERO’s Facebook page. If you haven’t already, be sure to “like” us! - Create a Fundraiser
You can either click on the “Create a Fundraiser Page” button at the top of the page, or use the left navigation to select the “Fundraisers” section and press the “Raise Money” button. This creates a shareable page that you’ll soon customize with a title, a goal amount, and an end date. - Personalize your page
Share your reasons why the fight against prostate cancer is meaningful to you and how donating to your fundraiser will have an impact on those living with this disease. - Select a Photo
You can upload your own photo to personalize your fundraiser. After you select the photo you want, click “Done.” You’ll have the option to move or crop it. - Publish and spread the word!
Select “Create” to publish your fundraiser and share it on your Facebook timeline. To reach as many of your friends as possible, be persistent! Make sure to post your fundraiser at least a few times before your end date approaches. Always use the tag @zerocancer and the hashtags #EndProstateCancer and #ZEROSummit2023.
Are there incentives for fundraising?
Yes! Whether you’ve created a regular fundraiser, one related to a need-based scholarship, or a “Fundraise to Attend” page, you deserve to be rewarded for your effort and will be eligible to earn great swag from our ZERO Store. Fundraising prizes are as follows: Raise $250 to get a $25 gift card to the ZERO Store; raise $500 to get a $50 gift card; raise $1,000+ to get a $100 gift card.
I already registered, but missed creating a fundraiser. Is it too late?
It’s not too late! You can create your own fundraising page by visiting the Summit fundraising website and logging in with your username and password. Once you’re logged in, the donate button and register link will be replaced with direct links to your fundraising tools and personal donation page.
Have questions? Trouble signing up? We’re here to support you, so email summit@zerocancer.org and we’ll help you get your page configured.
I just finished registration, and signed up for "Fundraise to Attend" accidentally. Help!
If you contact us as soon as possible, we can update your registration.
If you have questions, concerns, or need to make a change, email us at summit@zerocancer.org.
By what date do "Fundraise to Attend" participants need to reach their minimum goals?
On November 30, ZERO will process the card on file for the balance of funds owed to reach the fundraising minimum previously committed to.
If you have questions or concerns, or need to change the payment method from the one provided during registration, please contact us at summit@zerocancer.org.
If I raise additional donations after December 15, will my self-donation be refunded?
Charitable donations are normally non-refundable. If you need to discuss your fundraising commitment, please contact us at summit@zerocancer.org.
Other Frequently-Asked Questions
I’m interested in sponsoring the Summit. Can we chat?
Definitely! ZERO is open to talking to any organizations or individuals who are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Summit. For more information on sponsorship levels and opportunities, please email Brelyn Dhenin, Partnerships Director, at brelyn@zerocancer.org.
What are the Bold for Blue and Impact Awards?
The Bold for Blue Awards occur annually at the Summit and honors the year’s top fundraisers across all of ZERO’s events and programs. Even in a virtual setting, the award ceremony will be fun, lively, and entertaining for all, and will feature live speeches, performances, and more. You won’t want to miss it!
The Impact Award honors changemakers in the prostate cancer space and are selected by ZERO’s Board of Directors. The nominating period closes on November 1.
Where is my welcome kit?
If you register for the Summit by Jan. 6, you will receive a special welcome kit if you are based in the U.S. (We unfortunately are not able to ship internationally).
Caregiver ZERO Summit Sponsor:
