FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are Dystonia Zoo Days?
Dystonia Zoo Days are part of a national campaign that promotes awareness of dystonia, connects the dystonia community, and supports the work of the DMRF. The campaign includes local community events and virtual components that reach people in all 50 states. By bringing together medical experts, public servants, and members of the dystonia community to share their stories and raise awareness in a family-friendly, fun environment, Dystonia Zoo Days provide individuals and families affected by dystonia, their friends and colleagues, and medical professionals, the chance to connect.
What is Dystonia?
Dystonia is a rare brain disorder that causes extreme muscle spasms so intense they produce involuntary movements and postures of the body and limbs. Gait, balance, speech, and vision may be impaired due to the twisting, painful contortions. Put quite simply, people with dystonia cannot control the movement of their own bodies. The disorder affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Because it is often misdiagnosed, patients can spend years without proper treatment. You can help the DMRF change this.
How will the virtual event work?
This is an event that will take place online rather than in a physical location.
Who can participate?
Everyone is welcome to participate on the day of the Dystonia Virtual Zoo Day. Registration is FREE. You can support the DMRF mission by paying to register (comes with a shirt):
$0 – Register for Free - No shirt
$15 – Pay to Register and receive a Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day T-shirt
$250 – Zoo it Yourself - 20 personalized team t-shirts
How do I set up a team?
Teams can be started with one person. When you sign up, select 'The New Team' option from the Select Your Team field. You will receive an email with a link to your team page and you can invite friends and family to make donations and sign up to join you in raising awareness on October 5. Click here to learn more about team incentives.
Important Deadlines
August 1 - Order shirts to have for September Dystonia Awareness month.
September 3 - All orders must be received to receive personalized team t-shirts.
Do I have to register to participate?
There is no need to register. The Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day is FREE for everyone who is interested in participating and you can visit this site on October 5. Because of our Team Incentives, we encourage you to invite your family and friends to join you in taking part in the 5th Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day.
Where do I go to participate on the day of the Dystonia Virtual Zoo Day?
Just visit us at www.dystonia-foundation.org/letszoothis. Live-stream event will take on this website on October 5, 2024 @ 11:00 AM Central Time (USA).
When do I receive my t-shirt?
If you decided to purchase a t-shirt, it will be shipped to the address provided when ordering starting the second week of September.
I want to mail in a donation. What do I need to do?
If you would like to make a donation by check, please make the check out to DMRF with a check memo to include Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day and mail to Attention: Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, One East Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, IL 60601-1980
Is my donation to the Dystonia Zoo Day tax-deductible?
Yes, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is registered as a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code, therefore all donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law. The DMRF’s Tax ID Number is 95-3378526.
Who should I contact with questions about the Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day?
Please contact the DMRF at events@dystonia-foundation.org or 312-755-0198.