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)

Multi-Team Event

YAY, it's time for another Multi-Team event.

This event will take place the week of June 5th(start)-June 8th(cleanup).

This one is a very special event, for builders and non-builders alike.

For this event, we're going to test your creativity. On the day of the event you will be given a supply package. It's VERY important that you sign up before the event, so that I can get your package to you. The packages will not be handed out until the day the event starts.(June 5th).

These are the *only* supplies you will be permitted to use for this event, hehe. Inside the package will also be the LM to the event, the main area. When you get there you will choose a platform and rez a kiosk out for your team. Individuals are encouraged to join this event as well. However we ask that only one kiosk per team be rezzed. If you are building as an individual and not a team, please collect funds for the general fund and not any specific team. (this keeps things fair for all). The kiosks will be used for "voting".

You will have 3 days to build a masterpiece with your supplies. All rules will be included in your package, so you'll need to read them before you begin.

This will be a very low key event. We know June can be a hectic month. No worries about having to be there for any special music events or anything. Just a great way to come together and have some creative fun. But I do have very special awards for all participants. I can't wait to see the fantastic builds.

If you are interested in this event please fill out a note card and send it back to me Tari Landar. I will need the cards turned in by June 3rd at the latest. This will help ensure we've got prims and space for everyone. Please make sure that only ONE card per team is sent back. You can have as many builders as you'd like, but you'll only have one spot to build on. This will ensure you get your package and if we need to make any last minute changes to setup we can do so quickly.

Required Note Card Detail:

Name : (This is the person who will get the supplies. So if you're building as a team you may want to designate a head builder)

Team or Individual?: (if team put team name here)

Team only-Back up Head Builder: (In the event that the head builder loses the package or cannot be on, we'll need a backup to send a package to)

Additional Builders: (If you are on a team and know the names of those who will be building, please put them here as well)

Thanks so much, looking forward to this event :)

Tari Landar

WoW

Hello friends, more updates on a incredible weekend.

First, my posts on the RFL of SL Updates blog. The Ribbons recipients have been posted and a post on my reporting of the Ribbon Ceremonies and Million Dollar Hour which I hope you enjoy.

Now the other bits of news, I wish to share:

I have been offered the position of Area Co-Chair for the PR/Marketing group, for Relay For Life of Second Life, and I accepted in a heart beat, and I AM besides myself for this privilege. I don't think my feet have touched the ground since Saturday. We will miss Skylar Smythe's contribution, but she has several wonderful projects on the go, which I am sure, you either know about all ready, or will soon hear about. I wish you great successes with your many projects Skylar. But do take times to breath occasional, sweety. :-)


Let see, oh yes, I am working hard to promote and collect Why I Relay Testimonial Recording and I hope you will take the time to make yours. The link provides instructions and You Tube videos for making yours, for PC and MAC users, and I would positively delighted is you did submit one. We will never use your email account details for anything what so ever. I just ask you to provide the full avatar's name you wish to be assigned to your recording.

We are working to make these recording available online, for everyone to access, team event planers, team captains, DJ's and steaming media personalities, for use with their RFLofSL events.

And saving the best for last, Harmony of Hope received the prestigious PLATINUM Level Halfway There Award Ribbon for our efforts, and we are absolutely thrilled. Platinum level is defined was the team whose donations total in the range of $500,000 - $999,999 Linden, which we are currently at an unofficial total of $ 631,550 Linden. WoooooHooooo!!! Way to go TEAM!

We thank EVERYONE for your support, efforts and generosity! You do indeed give HOPE.

Jennifer Curtau,
Online Media Chair for Harmony of Hope
Area Co-Chair PR/Marketing for RFLofSL

~ We are one Team ~

Alphabet Soup Challenge

This year's Event Co-Chair Dwen Dooley came up with the idea of setting the teams with a special challenge.

The challenge was to get a 100 L$ donation (or more) from avatars whose names start with each of the 26 letters of the alphabet, within a week, with the gold trophy going to the first team to do so. Hence 'Alphabet Soup'.

I was ask by Poppy Zabelin to cover the trophy presentation for the PR/Marketing group of the Relay For Life in Second Life Team and write a post for the Relay For Life of Second Life blog.

Enjoy, Jennifer

Original post: http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/2011/04/co-chairs-challenge-alphabet-soup.html