Closing Press Release

Relay For Life of Second Life shatters records in 2011, raises US$375,000 for cancer research

Relay For Life, the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, has once again shattered records in Second Life.

Less than halfway through the 2011 Relay season, the Relay For Life of Second Life had already raised more than one million dollars all-time.

At the Wrap-Up Party on Saturday, August 20, 2011 Event Chair MamaP Beerbaum proudly announced that the seventh  Relay For Life of Second Life had set a new season fundraising record of US$375,000, had a record number of 140 teams, and a record number of over 3,000 relayers.

This year’s theme was ‘Seasons of Hope’ and was the largest to date, with a track lined by luminaria winding through 41 sims of amazing builds representing the different seasons. Some 2,140 avatars completed one or more laps, a combined total of 3,486 laps, and visited the campsites and the designer sims. And 4,817 luminaria were lit in support of loved ones going through treatment, and in memory of those heroes who have passed on.

Speaking to committee and team members and volunteers at the Wrap-Up Party, MamaP Beerbaum said:  ‘WOW, What a wonderful Relay we had! From Kick-Off in March to Relay Weekend in July, you all worked non-stop, with a passion and commitment that never wavered!

‘As I think back on this season, I am in awe of so many things. We broke so many records.  We took the theme ‘Seasons of Hope’ to places we never thought it would go. And we brought it to life on 41 sims creating a breathtaking experience for all who found their way there. And most importantly we proved that we really can work together as One Team!

‘Thank you for giving me the honor of being your chair. Thank you for showing the world that SL is a good place, and that in this Second Life of ours, we CAN make a difference.’

Stingray9798 Raymaker ( in real life Jeff Montegut, the American Cancer Society representative in Second Life) said: ‘It makes me the proudest person in the whole ACS office to represent the coolest people on the planet!’

Spirit of Relay

The ‘Spirit of Relay’ individual award went this year to Daaneth Kivioq. Announcing the award, last year’s winner Ember Farina said: ‘The Individual Spirit of Relay is awarded to the individual that embodies the 'Spirit of the Relay' and takes into consideration the 'spirit' of the individual, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, and the enthusiasm displayed.’

This year, just as Relay was kicking into high gear, Daaneth suffered a debilitating stroke. Ember said: ‘His motivation for a fast recovery was actually Relay for Life! He worried so much about his team that he came back in world before he could even read or type; they all used voice to communicate with him to ensure that the team would keep moving forward.’

Nevar Lobo, co-captain of last year’s winner of the ‘Spirit of Relay’ team award, announced this year's team winner Team OD, followed by Steelhead Salmons in second place and Team Caledon in third place.

For a complete list of Wrap-Up Awards see: http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/2011/08/final-award-winners.html

For more pictures from the Wrap-Up Party see http://www.flickr.com/photos/ishtarskiss/.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead to 2012 MamaP Beerbaum announced that she would be continuing as Event Chair, supported by this year’s Co-Chair Dwen Dooley and new Co-Chair Nikki Mathieson. Nikki, who has been relaying in Second Life since 2007 and was this year’s Event Day area chair, said: ‘It is a tremendous honor to be invited to be a Co-Chair and I really look forward to the upcoming season.’ Her message to Relayers was ‘Keep relaying all winter... Do that by bringing someone... anyone... even if it's just one person who doesn't know about us... to ACS Island and let them know we're here... in SL. Tell them about our RFL season and get them watching for that kick off in the spring... invite them to it... get them excited and enthused to jump onboard with us.’

The Kick-Off for RFL of SL 2012 will be on March 10, 2012. Next year’s theme will be ‘Time for a Cure’. And the clock is already ticking!

MEDIA NOTES

About Relay For Life of Second Life

Relay For Life® is the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is an annual activity that takes place in Second Life® in July each year. Volunteers form or join teams to have fun while fundraising and raising awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track, just like in a real world Relay. The main RFL of SL track event this year will take place on July 16-17. In 2010, RFL of SL raised US$222,000 for the American Cancer Society and this season’s total is a record US$375,000. In April 2011 the all-time total amount raised since RFL was launched in Second Life reached one million US dollars. The funds raised go to research, advocacy, patient services and programs, with 12-15% going to international projects. Just as in the real world, RFL of SL is an international event. More than 30 real world countries are represented by team members, volunteers and supporters!

The premier sponsors of Relay For Life of Second Life in 2011 are: Arcanum, ByKay, Peace Haven Communities, and BS’s Bring A Friend.

FOLLOW US on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RelayForLife_SL

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/rflofsl

RFL of SL Updates: http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/

For background information and the history of RFL of SL see:

SL Wiki: https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life and

Official RFL of SL website: http://www.relayforlife.org/secondlife

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Poppy Zabelin (2011 RFL of SL PR Chair poppy_zabelin@yahoo.co.uk) or Jennifer Curtau (2011 RFL of SL PR Co-Chair jennifer.curtau@google.com).

Poppy Zabelin

PR/Marketing Area Chair (2011)

Under the Wire Event

 Terran Magic says:

Officially Relay For Life of Second Life 2011 is over, but the fight doesn't Stop just because the kiosks dissappear.  Heroes and Goreans team are pulling out the stops on the weekend of August 26-28 and presenting you with music and dancing that is sure to knock your socks off.

This "Under the Wire Event" will feature Live Artists and DJ's from
all over Second Life..

The Event will run
Friday August 26th from 4-11
Saturday August 27th 8am to 10pm
Sunday August 28th from 8am to 4pm slt.

All Donations will go to Relay For Life of Second Life.

The artists and DJ's all volunteer for this and have selected a phenominal set.  This will prove to be an event to remember.

Love to see you there.




For more info contact Terran Magic.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Original%20Sin%20Ranch/159/60/21

Cancer Ribbon Colors

 

All Cancers - Lavender
Appendix Cancer - Amber
Bladder Cancer - Marigold/Blue/Purple
Brain Cancer - Grey
Breast Cancer - PinkCervical Cancer - Teal/White
Childhood Cancer - Gold
Colon Cancer - Dark Blue
Esophageal Cancer - Periwinkle
Gallbladder/Bile Duct Cancer - Kelly Green
Head and Neck Cancer - Burgundy/Ivory
Kidney Cancer - Orange
Leiomyosarcoma - Purple
Leukemia - Orange
Liver Cancer - Emerald Green
Lung Cancer - Clear/White
Lymphoma - Lime Green
Melanoma - Black
Multiple Myeloma - Burgundy
Ovarian Cancer - Teal
Pancreatic Cancer - Purple
Prostate Cancer - Light Blue
Sarcoma/Bone Cancer - Yellow
Stomach Cancer - Periwinkle
Testicular Cancer - Orchid
Thyroid Cancer - Teal/Pink/Blue
Uterine Cancer - Peach
Cancer Caregiver Gifts - Plum


Color               Hex

 Amber            #FFBF00
 Black            #000000
 Blue            #0000FF
 Burgundy        #800020
 Dark Blue        #00008B
 Emerald Green        #50C878
 Gold            #FFD700
 Grey            #808080
 Ivory            #FFFFF0
 Kelly Green        #4CBB17
 Lavender        #E6E6FA
 Light Blue        #ADD8E6
 Lime Green        #00FF00
 Marigold        #FF8D00
 Orange            #FFA500
 Orchid            #DA70D6
 Peach            #FFE5B4
 Periwinkle        #CCCCFF
 Pink            #FFC0CB
 Plum            #DDA0DD
 Purple            #800080
 Teal            #008080
 White            #FFFFFF
 Yellow            #FFFF00

Reflection on 4 months

Hi, sorry for being silent for so long, lot's to reflect on.

The journey of the last 4 months, in this my first Relay, has been a journey rich in incredible events, numerous memorable moments and heart warming stories. I've witnessed passion and compassion, unbridled giving of time and effort, all to do one thing, it simply boggles the mind. Our results were staggering.

When Pink Basevi-Charlesworth first recruited me to join Harmony of Hope, from the first team meeting, I never in my wildest imagination expected to be where I am 4 months later.

The Opening Celebrations, at the incredible build of BOSL Football stadium covering 4 SIMs, ~WoW~ I couldn't stop caming around that was an incredible build. I was awestruck. I knew, I was taking part in something fantastic,... but nothing in my wildest imagination could I foresee, what was to come in both the experiencing of Relay and the Relay experience.

Got super excited with Black and White Fashion Faire SIMs, now that was KEWL. I spent many hours wandering that place, felt like one was living in a black and white movie. Spent an afternoon sitting at a cafe chatting with friends, making new ones and of course the shopping! Think it was my most enchanting day during all of Relay.

But not to be out done, when the Fantasy Faire Oº°‘¨POOF¨‘°ºO itself into existence, I swear, it was a jaw dropper! (If you find mine, pls email it back!) Was about here, I realized I need a new computer, as my tired old beast here, just will not do. Spent a lot time here waiting for the "over set" display settings in Phoenix to rez, so I can truly see all the creative wonder. It was worth it. After the Fantasy Faire, I knew, we had some extremely creative people in Relay, but this was slick!!!

And it kept coming, I had a ball time warping back to the 60's at the Sock Hop and Carnival Fair at May Days. Been years since I've been to a fair! And here I was, going to a fair in SL.

As a Relay'er, I hosted parties, held at clubs I called home before RFL. To bring RFL awareness to my community of friends, and spread the word for Relay For Life. I attended as many of Harmony's events and other team events, as my RL would allow. Followed all the group notices and event notices. Even rez'd an event board in front of me for when I would Rez inworld, so it's the first thing I see when logging in. Pathetic, huh?

Then there was all the social media work I did; first for Harmony of Hope and a bit later when I was asked to join the PR/Marketing Committee. All the friends I made, blogging and tweeting, seeing all the good and incredible work 1,000s, and 1,000s of people are doing, around the world, and in my RL community, all in this fight. The support groups, non profit organizations and individuals and how they bring their passion to the plate, was something I wasn't quite prepared for. Knew it was there, just not the scope and I only know a fraction of it still.

Between that, and the "Why I Relay" statements and recordings that crossed my desk, I've cried. Throw in a speech from Tali Walmar at the opening ceremonies, or BOOTEDGIRL Foxtrot at the closing ceremonies, throw in several Mamap, Dwen and Stingray's words, all of the radio and streaming media people, and their interviewees of people in Relay along the way, I've cried buckets.

But I don't cry out of sorrow, well yes, partially sorrow, I guess? I cry 'Happy Tears' along with you. I cry because of the fortitude you all share, the "joy the vie" and willingness to shoulder on. I cry because it is truly remarkable, the hope we all put forth. It's like this unstoppable force of nature. Either get out of its way, or admire it for what it is and nourish yourself from it.

And then the big finally. The 24+ hour Relay. By this point I've heard 100's of people talk about the Relay in SL and I wasn't quite sure what to expect for my self, and suddenly there it was, 40 SIMs BIG! A Relay track that spanned 34 SIMs. Took me just under an hour to walk one lap.

Walked about 1-1/2 laps before Relay, 4 complete laps during Relay and started on, dozens more; but, you know how it goes,... get distracted by a shout from someone, a yellow dot in the radar and you just have to stop and see them to celebrate with them. Loved looking at the SL map and seeing all those dots, so kewl. I'd really like to see the numbers from LL on this Event.

When I did my last lap, just before closing ceremonies, I was noticing how many of the Luminaries were lit. I began to read them, one after another and that were I lost it. All along I “knew” all the while 'why' we all do this. But there it was right there at my feet when it hit me, endless reasons of 'why', covering SIM, after SIM, after SIM. All glowing with their unique brilliance, of the souls they represent,... and it was beautiful, yet so devastating. RFLofSL is a microcosm of RL and the millions around the world, this represents in every sense, was my tipping point. Everything that happens after this point was pure and total emotional overload.

And this is also where I go speechless, because I still do not have the words for what ‘all this means’ to me.

I know, I am not the same person I was 4 months ago. But beyond that, I do not know. Even my avatar having a bit of an identity crisis, having lost tail and hair until the start of RFLofSL 2012, for the honor of your brilliant dedication and accomplishment.

I do feel a bit of a loss with nothing to do. Sure that will pass, as I am taking a bit of leap of faith. I'm hoping to return to school this fall for a 2 year program in Advertising with a heavy slant on web presence. It was going to be more programming and stuff side of things, but after doing what I did in the last 4 months, I know were I belong.

I do have ideas for next year, I need to get it together, but I'm gonna wait, as I don't know how the off season goes,.. I'm probably just jumping the gun as always.

But still, I search my inner self, asking: "what "all of this" means"? Many questions, dam few answers at the moment, but the quest continues,...

I am so proud of all of you, WE DID GOOD!

HUGz Jennifer

Harmony of Hope Campsite

Random Padar says:

A child's Snow Globe invites us into a world of innocent winter and leads us on a journey through one persons struggle against a terrifying disease. 

Explore the Snowglobe village with it's information kiosks, and medical pavillion. 

Then ride a snowflake to watch The Longest Winter unfold. 

Each level expressing the emotional toil of the desparate battle against a killer. 

To find, at last, a victory in the realization that fear is the worst enemy and the future is as certain as you make it. 

A message of hope eternally budding even in the Longest Winter.

Random Padar, Team Captain, Harmony of Hope