GASTRIC BAND INSTITUTE CONTEST
Contest Questions and Answers
Q: Why are we giving away a free band?
A: To create awareness of the difficulties to get access to a surgery that offers significant medical benefits. Many insurance companies are still not covering the procedures and as a result, many people are forced to continue with a difficult and shortened life.Contest Rules
Contest Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. WINNER MUST BE PRESENT AT WALK TO CLAIM PRIZE.
1. HOW TO ENTER
a. Gastric Band Institute (GBI) is sponsoring a contest in which the winner will receive one Gastric Band Surgery (Lap-Band or Realize Band) provided and performed by Dr. Jaime Ponce. The GBI Contest will begin on Monday July 12, 2010 and will end on Saturday, September 11, 2010 (9:00am EST). Entries must be received by Wednesday, September 8, 2010 (12:00pm NOON EST).
b. To participate in the GBI Contest, you may enter via the following method(s): An official entry form can be found at www.Gastricbandinstitute.com. Official entry forms will also be available to pick up at GBI, 1949 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 250, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Original forms must be completed and returned to GBI by Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 12:00 (NOON EST).
c. One official entry form per person will be accepted. Please be sure that all information is filled our legibly and completely. No entry forms or any items submitted with the entry forms, including but not limited to photographs or videos, will be returned.
d. You agree to be bound to these rules by submitting an entry form to participate in the GBI Contest. Please read these rules carefully to ensure that you understand and are prepared to keep the commitment that comes with participation and the obligations that the winner of the contest must fulfill.
2. ELIGIBILITY
a. The contest is open to all persons who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the Chattanooga metro area. Employees of GBI and their respective family members are ineligible to participate or win.
b. Criteria to be an eligible candidate for the contest requires that you be at least 75 pounds overweight, in otherwise reasonable health, between the ages of 18 and 60, and are deemed medically viable (by the selecting physician). Your submission of an entry form constitutes a representation that you have read, understand and testify the eligibility criteria, subject to verification by the GBI.
c. You agree to allow the GBI to publicly announce your name if you are the winner, to follow you through your process and take applicable photos, publicizing where applicable by the GBI.
d. You agree not to hold the GBI or any of its affiliates liable for your unsatisfactory weight loss performance or your failure to comply with the program.
e. You must be present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010 to claim your prize. Drawing will occur after the completion of the walk.
f. If you choose to participate in the Walk from Obesity prior to the announcement of the winner, you can register on-line at www.WalkfromObesity.com.
3. PRIZE
a. The winner of the GBI contest will be eligible to receive banding surgery from and performed by Dr. Jaime Ponce of GBI. The winner will have to present him or herself, as required by Dr. Ponce and GBI, to undergo the banding surgery within 60 days after the winner is selected and announced. The total value of the surgery is approximately $14, 500.00.
b. The winner will forfeit the prize unless he or she is (1) present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010, (2) satisfies all requirements of these rules, including, but not limited to, the conditions set forth in Section 5 below, and (3) follows the advice, recommendations, and instructions of GBI pertaining in any way to the banding surgery.
c. There is no substitution, transfer, or cash equivalent for prizes. The prize is expressly limited to the item listed above and does not include taxes, gratuities, or any other expenses. Other restrictions may apply.
4. WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
a. Dr. Ponce and GBI shall have complete discretion with respect to any decision, application or interpretation of these rules for the GBI contest and any decision or interpretation adopted shall be final, conclusive and binding upon participants in the contest.
b. After the previously stated deadlines for submission of official entries, Dr. Ponce and GBI will review the entries and choose ten candidates who appear to be medically eligible for and would benefit from the banding surgery. The winner will have an office visit and evaluation at GBI to confirm eligibility. GBI reserves the right to extend/cancel the contest at any time should no viable entries be received.
c. The odds of winning the GBI contest depend on the number of viable entries received from eligible contestants.
d. The winner must be present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010 to claim the prize.
5. CONDITIONS
a. Payments of all federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner. The winners will be required to sign an agreement form and a waiver releasing GBI and its affiliates from liability.
b. The winners, as a condition of receiving and as consideration for the prize, must execute and deliver the release and waiver of liability by which the winner promises and agrees to hold GBI and its affiliates, harmless from and against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from the prize (gastric band surgery) and/or participation in the GBI contest.
c. By participating in the GBI contest, the winner agrees to sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. More specifically, and as a condition of receiving and as a consideration for the prize, the winner promises and agrees for a period of twelve months following the surgery:
1. To attend monthly (or otherwise determined) follow up appointments with Dr. Ponce and GBI.
2. To participate in educational seminars as requested
3. Participate in any PR activities as requested b by GBI
4. Sign appropriate legal consent for surgery
After the 12 month period following surgery, all follow up care continues at GBI and winner assumes all associated costs.
d. GBI and Dr. Ponce reserve the right to make changes in the contest rules. If, due to circumstances beyond the control of the contest, the surgery is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, Dr. Ponce reserves the right, but not obligation, to cancel or to modify the contest rules and shall not be required to award a substitute prize.
e. Failure to comply with the contest rules, may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the GBI contest result in a contestant’s disqualification from eh contest and/or forfeiture of the prize.
f. GBI is not responsible for typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering, or the administration of the GBI contest, or in the announcement of the prize.
g. Copies of the GBI contest rules and the name of the winner (when complete) are available during regular business hour at the GBI office 1949 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 250, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
h. Your contest submission indicates you have read, agree to and serves as your signature for the above contests rules.
a. Gastric Band Institute (GBI) is sponsoring a contest in which the winner will receive one Gastric Band Surgery (Lap-Band or Realize Band) provided and performed by Dr. Jaime Ponce. The GBI Contest will begin on Monday July 12, 2010 and will end on Saturday, September 11, 2010 (9:00am EST). Entries must be received by Wednesday, September 8, 2010 (12:00pm NOON EST).
b. To participate in the GBI Contest, you may enter via the following method(s): An official entry form can be found at www.Gastricbandinstitute.com. Official entry forms will also be available to pick up at GBI, 1949 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 250, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Original forms must be completed and returned to GBI by Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 12:00 (NOON EST).
c. One official entry form per person will be accepted. Please be sure that all information is filled our legibly and completely. No entry forms or any items submitted with the entry forms, including but not limited to photographs or videos, will be returned.
d. You agree to be bound to these rules by submitting an entry form to participate in the GBI Contest. Please read these rules carefully to ensure that you understand and are prepared to keep the commitment that comes with participation and the obligations that the winner of the contest must fulfill.
a. The contest is open to all persons who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the Chattanooga metro area. Employees of GBI and their respective family members are ineligible to participate or win.
b. Criteria to be an eligible candidate for the contest requires that you be at least 75 pounds overweight, in otherwise reasonable health, between the ages of 18 and 60, and are deemed medically viable (by the selecting physician). Your submission of an entry form constitutes a representation that you have read, understand and testify the eligibility criteria, subject to verification by the GBI.
c. You agree to allow the GBI to publicly announce your name if you are the winner, to follow you through your process and take applicable photos, publicizing where applicable by the GBI.
d. You agree not to hold the GBI or any of its affiliates liable for your unsatisfactory weight loss performance or your failure to comply with the program.
e. You must be present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010 to claim your prize. Drawing will occur after the completion of the walk.
f. If you choose to participate in the Walk from Obesity prior to the announcement of the winner, you can register on-line at www.WalkfromObesity.com.
a. The winner of the GBI contest will be eligible to receive banding surgery from and performed by Dr. Jaime Ponce of GBI. The winner will have to present him or herself, as required by Dr. Ponce and GBI, to undergo the banding surgery within 60 days after the winner is selected and announced. The total value of the surgery is approximately $14, 500.00.
b. The winner will forfeit the prize unless he or she is (1) present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010, (2) satisfies all requirements of these rules, including, but not limited to, the conditions set forth in Section 5 below, and (3) follows the advice, recommendations, and instructions of GBI pertaining in any way to the banding surgery.
c. There is no substitution, transfer, or cash equivalent for prizes. The prize is expressly limited to the item listed above and does not include taxes, gratuities, or any other expenses. Other restrictions may apply.
a. Dr. Ponce and GBI shall have complete discretion with respect to any decision, application or interpretation of these rules for the GBI contest and any decision or interpretation adopted shall be final, conclusive and binding upon participants in the contest.
b. After the previously stated deadlines for submission of official entries, Dr. Ponce and GBI will review the entries and choose ten candidates who appear to be medically eligible for and would benefit from the banding surgery. The winner will have an office visit and evaluation at GBI to confirm eligibility. GBI reserves the right to extend/cancel the contest at any time should no viable entries be received.
c. The odds of winning the GBI contest depend on the number of viable entries received from eligible contestants.
d. The winner must be present at the Walk from Obesity on Saturday, September 11, 2010 to claim the prize.
a. Payments of all federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner. The winners will be required to sign an agreement form and a waiver releasing GBI and its affiliates from liability.
b. The winners, as a condition of receiving and as consideration for the prize, must execute and deliver the release and waiver of liability by which the winner promises and agrees to hold GBI and its affiliates, harmless from and against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from the prize (gastric band surgery) and/or participation in the GBI contest.
c. By participating in the GBI contest, the winner agrees to sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. More specifically, and as a condition of receiving and as a consideration for the prize, the winner promises and agrees for a period of twelve months following the surgery:
1. To attend monthly (or otherwise determined) follow up appointments with Dr. Ponce and GBI.
2. To participate in educational seminars as requested
3. Participate in any PR activities as requested b by GBI
4. Sign appropriate legal consent for surgery
After the 12 month period following surgery, all follow up care continues at GBI and winner assumes all associated costs.
d. GBI and Dr. Ponce reserve the right to make changes in the contest rules. If, due to circumstances beyond the control of the contest, the surgery is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, Dr. Ponce reserves the right, but not obligation, to cancel or to modify the contest rules and shall not be required to award a substitute prize.
e. Failure to comply with the contest rules, may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the GBI contest result in a contestant’s disqualification from eh contest and/or forfeiture of the prize.
f. GBI is not responsible for typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering, or the administration of the GBI contest, or in the announcement of the prize.
g. Copies of the GBI contest rules and the name of the winner (when complete) are available during regular business hour at the GBI office 1949 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 250, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
h. Your contest submission indicates you have read, agree to and serves as your signature for the above contests rules.