It's Batfrog season again!

In this, our twelfth year of Batfrogging, I'll trade you your money for my pride in the form of a BIG BIRD costume!

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers with a five-year survival rate of just 12%. It is currently the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and is expected to become the second by 2030.

I cover all event fees and costume expenses so 100% of your generous donations can fund research and provide support for pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers.

Donation Levels

$500: Big Bird sunglasses

$750: Big Bird sunglasses + Big Bird striped socks, plush feet, and gloves

$1000: FULL BIG BIRD - giant Big Bird head + Big Bird striped socks, plush feet, and gloves

Bonus Rounds

$1500: add Radar, Big Bird’s teddy bear

$2000: add the blue shirt that my personal 1990s plush Big Bird wore. And also the plush Big Bird (yes I still have it)

$5000: FULL BIRDFROG - I will somehow find a way to wedge my old Batman cowl over the giant Ernie head

$7500: get video of me in the Big Bird costume eating birdseed (not sunflower seeds. Actual birdseed.)

$10,000: ADD SNUFFLEUPAGUS (please don’t ask how this would work. I do not know.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you use the team total or your personal total to determine the costume level?

I use the team total.

Can I give you a cash or check donation the next time I see you?

Yes, but please let me know you plan to do this so I can count it toward the total dollar amount for costume purposes. Also, if you give me cash I can’t give you a receipt so you won’t be able to write it off on your taxes.

My company will match my charitable donations if I make the donation through the company website. Can I donate that way?

Yes! But please let me know you plan to do this so I can count it toward the total dollar amount for costume purposes. The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so your company should be able to add it if it isn't already in their donation-matching system. If your system allows you to write a note or comment with your donation, please enter "LACC 2024 - Team Superweirdos" or "LACC 2024 - Sarah Mertan". (Universal friends, I believe you can use the built-in search on the donation site; search for Comcast.)

Can I register on your team and run with you?

YES! Join my fundraising team, Team Superweirdos, and your registration fee will count towards our team total.

Are you still running in memory of the same people as before?

Yes, except this stupid disease keeps killing more people, so now I’m running in memory of even more people. Give me money so this stops happening.

We run to remember:

My dad, Alan Mertan; Fr. Michael Lewis of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove; my great uncle, E.J. Schreiber; my friends' grandfather, Russell Roseberry; industry colleague Bob Weitkamp; and my friend's dad, George Jaeger.

Read more about Batfrog at https://sarahmertan.com/2024/10/13/birdfrog/