What is a Virtual Walker?

If there is no NF Walk in your area, or if you are unable to attend a local NF Walk, you can still help the cause by signing up as a VIRTUAL WALKER!  All you have to do is register as a virtual walker or create a VIRTUAL TEAM and you will receive the same information and fundraising tools as attending walkers. Walk your desired mileage at a convenient time and place.

Being a virtual walker is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
1.    Register: More information coming soon on registration! You can start a team, join an existing team, or simply join as an individual.
2.    Set Up Your Fundraising Page: After you have registered, you will be taken to your personal fundraising page, which you can customize to your liking.  You can add your story and a photo or YouTube video.  If you chose to start a team, as the team captain, you can also customize the team page.
3.    Start Walking/Fundraising: Being a virtual walker is a great way to raise not only funds, but awareness.  Wear your NF Walk blue t-shirt while walking to spread awareness.  Be sure to keep track of your steps as you walk.  Steps are measured in miles, so if you walk 3 miles, you have taken 6000 steps.

As a virtual walker, you enjoy the same privileges as if you could attend an event, including the ability to set up a personal fundraising page and receive online donations to support your efforts.  We will also send you a pedometer so you may track your steps, get creative with soliciting per-step pledges and feel engaged without being at an NF Walk. You will also be eligible for incentives and a NF Walk T-Shirt if you raise $100 or more.

You could even participate in the pedometer challenge by wearing an NF Walk pedometer. Get people to guess how many steps you will take in a day and make a donation to Children’s Tumor Foundation. Download our walk log and record your steps. Be creative! The possibilities are endless.

The great thing about being a virtual walker is that you can keep fundraising all year long! Whichever virtual walker raises the most money by December 31st wins a prize!

When completed, mail your donations to:
Children’s Tumor Foundation
ATTN: NF Walk (Host City of your Walk, if applicable)
95 Pine Street,16th Floor
New York, NY 10005

Fax your walk log of steps taken to ATTN: NF Walk  212-747-0004 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Here are some helpful tips for walking on your own:

How does walking compare to running?

Walking can provide the same benefits as a running program. General health benefits are acquired from any walking. For cardio benefits, the key is walking fast enough to get your heart rate up. Walkers may incur fewer injuries than runners while achieving similar improvements in aerobic conditioning.

How many steps in a mile?

One mile is equal to 5280 feet. Most people say it takes about 2000 steps for every mile. Of course, everyone's stride is different. An average stride is usually somewhere between 2 and 3 feet in length. So on average it takes between 1760 and 2640 steps to complete one mile.

To measure your stride, mark a distance of 50 feet. Now walk this distance and count your steps. Divide 50 by the number of steps and that is your "stride length." Now, divide 5280 by your stride length to find your "average steps per mile."

What is considered a good fitness walking pace?

An average fitness walking pace is close to a 15 minute mile. But, a good pace will vary depending on your fitness level, walking technique, walking goals, and terrain. For general fitness walking, you should walk at a pace that increases your heart rate and that you can maintain for 30 to 60 minutes. Use the talk test... if you can't speak without gasping for air, you are walking too fast. If you can carry a tune, you are probably walking too slow.

What should I look for in a walking shoe?
•  Low heel
•  Flexible sole
•  Lightweight and breathable fabric
•  GREAT fit - oops that's number one!