2012 One More Day Campaign

Today, February 29^th, is very important one for the South Atlantic Division of Relay For Life. Taking advantage of this one extra day, Relay is encouraging every Relay team to participate in the One More Day campaign by asking us, “What would you do with one more day?”

What a great question.

With the end goal of raising 2.12 million dollars in two days, our Relay division has taken on an enormous challenge. However, if we read the responses of our fellow Relayers have submitted as to what they would do with one more day, this goal doesn’t seem quite so difficult to attain. The passion and drive that is present in Relayers across the division is so empowering that I think we should all take some time to read other’s stories, and inspire ourselves to make a difference on this one extra day.

Here, UGA Relay shares with us the story of Mary Evelyn. 

Although she has lost her battle with cancer, along with countless others, Mary Evelyn continues to live in hearts, and minds. On this day, the 29^th of February, let’s all remember those who didn’t make it, cheer for those who have, and hope for those whose futures are still unclear. Take some time and go to your Relay page and send out some emails, and ask youself:

What would YOU do with one more day?

Relay-Love,

Relay For Life at UVA

Why Do You Relay: Zoe's Story

Not sure what to tell people when they ask you why you relay, or what Relay For Life even is? Zoe Hardy shares her story with us of what the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life have meant to her throughout the years…

My name is Zoë Hardy and I am a third year majoring in American Studies. This year I am participating in my 10th Relay. Every year I enjoy getting more involved by taking on greater responsibilities and commitments. The last two years of high school I was the Youth Chair on the Executive Planning Committee for Relay of Virginia Beach and when I came to UVa I joined the Executive Committee and was selected to be the Logistics Chair.

Relay was the first activity I became involved in when I got to UVA, I could probably wear a different Relay shirt every day for a month without having to do laundry (you think I am kidding but I am not) and I just really love the spirit and community that comes out of participating in Relay For Life.

Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society are truly remarkable organizations. Since its inception in 1913, the American Cancer Society has been working to save lives through research, education, advocacy, and service. 40 years ago, people smoked in elevators, at work, and even in doctors’ offices—today we hear this and think that it is crazy, but it would have never changed if it were not for the aggressive initiatives sponsored by the American Cancer Society informing people of the risks associated with smoking.

Besides all of the great work the American Cancer Society has done over the years, I was also motivated to join Relay on a personal level. When I was younger my family and I would always go skiing up in Vermont with my dad’s Uncle Pat and his family around Valentine’s Day. We would ski all day and then come back to the timeshare and have dinner and play games, go in the hot tub. One year; however, we could no longer go skiing with my Uncle Pat because he had passed away from cancer. I was only in elementary school when this happened, but I truly miss him and wish that cancer had not taken him away.

Just last year my Grandpa Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer. The doctors said that the cancer did not look good. Fortunately, because of the work being done by the American Cancer Society there was a clinical trial being performed at Duke that he qualified for and was able to participate. He has been responding well to the medicine and is currently fighting a courageous battle with this awful disease. I wish I could say that these are the only people in my life that have been affected by cancer, but there are many more, including family friends and fellow Relayers.

I Relay because I want to see an end to cancer. I Relay to help raise money for important services and programs that support cancer patients and their families every step of the way. I Relay because cancer has affected people in my life whom I love. I Relay to raise money for more clinical trials and programs to help patients while fighting cancer. I Relay to remember those that have lost their battle with cancer. I Relay For Life.

A word of advice from our top team captains...

Hey fellow Relayers, need some inspiration for fundraising or boosting your team’s enthusiasm for Relay? Check out these helpful tactics and encouraging thoughts from  Laura Elliott, co-captain of team Hoo Would’ve Thought?, and Lana Hoang, captain of team VSA. These teams have been diligently raising money for this year’s Relay since early last semester, and are continuing to come up with more fundraisers as we get closer and closer to April 13th.

When asked why she relays, Lana said, “...I found out last year that my uncle was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and he is currently going through treatment.  Even though this is my fourth year doing Relay For Life, this is the first time someone close to me has been affected by cancer.” Similarly, Laura noted how she has seen loved ones suffer from cancer, “I personally wanted to Relay because at the age of 6, I lost my best friend to a malignant brain tumor. The next year, my grandfather past away with cancer.”   Both captains mentioned that as far as fundraising goes, helping others and fighting cancer outweighs the energy it takes to plan and execute each event.

We asked Laura what her strategy is for brainstorming and implementing fundraising ideas. She replied, “We think of ideas, how in the world we could make them happen, and what our target groups are, we think of how to market the idea. We knew our V-day sale was the week before so we made it into a "date-maker". It’s just a matter of gauging what angle you're trying to squeeze.” Both she and Lana feel that they have strong support from their friends in their efforts to raise money for Relay.

Finally, Lana gave us some advice on how to get the most out of the Relay experience: “Be passionate about what/ who you're Relay-ing for!  Relay For Life is such a touching, emotional 12 hours, especially with the Luminaria Ceremony, but it can also be fun!  The more effort you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.  I would recommend building your team early (as soon as the new year's ACS Relay site is up and ready!), which allows you to put on more fundraisers and see your progression through to the big event in April.”

Let’s follow in these girls’ footsteps and keep working toward more birthdays for everyone!

February?!

So it’s February (already?!), and things are really starting to kick into gear as we all get excited for this year’s Relay For Life! Teams across Grounds are pulling together their resources to help us reach our monthly fundraising goals! This year should prove to be our most successful yet, and I know that all of us with Relay are super hyped to see a record-breaking number of participants this year!

As we move closer to the first Captains Meeting, recruitment has come to the forefront of goals for the next month. Spread the word, tell your friends, get EVERYONE YOU KNOW to register for Relay For Life! Bring your friends out to the upcoming bar nights, take them to get Relay cupcakes at SweetHaus, or just send them to the website so they can register themselves and all of their friends! Every effort helps us reach our ultimate goal of bringing more birthdays to more cancer survivors.

Just keep spreading the word, and keep the Relay Love alive! And be on the lookout for future blog posts from other teams, local reps, and other exciting people who all want to share their own love for Relay

Welcome Back!

--> Hey everyone! I hope your semester is off to a great start and that you’re excited for RELAY this year!

It’s the tenth year of Relay For Life at UVa, so we’re doing a multiples of ten theme this year. We’re trying to raise $100,000 and have 100 teams at Relay! We had a lot of great events last semester and are in pretty good shape to get to both of our goals. Currently, we have 273 registered participants, 60 teams, and $14,230 raised!

We had a lot of great events last semester. Canning before each home football game was incredibly successful and brought in thousands of dollars each game! Our 3^rd annual 5k was also very successful; we raised almost $700, had 242 runners cross the finish line, and had tons of great food and activities at the event. The Knock Out Cancer Kickoff event was also productive, despite bad weather cancelling our outdoor activities. O’Hill night, the free Jimmy Johns sandwich giveaway, and a free kickboxing classes were all fun ways to spread the word about Relay and get people excited for our event this semester. 

Runners at the 3rd Fight Cancer 5k!

This semester is the time to really amp up the fundraising effort! We have benefit nights at local restaurants almost every week, lots of team fundraisers all around Grounds, and Blitz Week coming up in March. Our first of three Team Captain’s meetings is on February 15^th. Relay For Life will be held at Carr’s Hill Field on Friday, April 13^th, from 6pm-6am. Relay is sooner than you think, so if you haven’t registered or started fundraising yet, now’s the time to do it!

Check this blog periodically throughout the semester to get the inside information on everything Relay. We’ll cover all the big fundraising events, interview captains from top fundraising teams, and have guest bloggers share their Relay experiences.

To stay updated on all of our events, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Relay Love,

Relay For Life at UVA

Ready For Some Heat?

Was raising $100 a piece of cake for you? ACS South Atlantic Division is challenging all Relay participants to raise $212 this year, in 2012! Can you stand the heat? Check out the challenge video and flyer! All participants that raise at least $212 OR who send at least 212 emails through their Relay participant center will be entered to win a FIREPIT filled with campfire goodies! Three others will win a Relay Travel Chair Cooler Combo. Get your fundraising game on!

Welcome / Introductions / Why I Relay

Hey everyone!

Welcome to Relay For Life at UVa's blog. It's the ultimate source for the inside scoop about everything Relay. Super-hip, super-fabulous, everyone who's anyone is going to be reading this, so don't miss out.

My name is Caitlin Henry, and I'm the online chair this year for Relay For Life at UVa. I'm a third year Commerce major, and my second major is in Computer Science. When I do icebreakers in groups, the fun fact that I always use is that my grandmother paid $130 a month to be a vegetarian for almost two years in high school. Also that I saw Saturday Night Live, live in New York, this January (it was Jim Carrey, and that Black Swan skit he did? I was sitting directly above it.) I'll be writing on here most of the time, but we'll have some other members from Exec guest write on here too. Let me know if you want to tell you Relay story / personal experience / feature your team on the blog! I'd be thrilled to have you :]

The purpose of the blog isn't just to showcase Relay's events in more detail, but to also showcase selected Relay team captains / teams, feature cancer and ACS related news and updates, and have Relay members share personal stories related to our cause.

I first started doing Relay For Life my junior year of high school. I was going through that phase where I was extremely concerned that I didn't have enough extracurricular activities and colleges wouldn't want to accept me (anyone else go through that too?). So I got myself elected Historian of my high school's Key Club. Somehow we ended up volunteering to clean up after Relay, because by the time we got in contact with them it was too late for us to form a team. While cleaning up the debris from Relay For Life of Eastern Prince William County, I finally understood what Relay was and how cool it was. Our Key Club vowed to participate next year (shoutout to Key Club officers class of 2009 ;]).  Unfortunately, it thunderstormed and Relay got cancelled early that year, so I never got to participate in an a full Relay For Life until 1st year, when I was a team captain. It was awesome, and 2nd year I was on the Corporate and Accounting Committees. Thus, I have climbed the Relay For Life hierarchy from trash picker-upper, to team member, to team captain, to exec council member, to committee chair, and I've loved every minute of it.

I love Relay For Life because I think it's a cause that almost everyone at UVa can personally relate to. One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and I think almost everyone knows someone who has or has had cancer. Personally, I have seen the way cancer can bring a community together. My neighbor and private violin instructor died of pancreatic cancer when I was a junior in high school. She was heavily involved in both my youth orchestra and my summer swim team. Her death was the first time I had ever seen my mother cry, and her funeral was the first one I had ever been to. In the spring after she passed away, our orchestra performed a memorial concert in honor of Mrs. Taylor, and the second movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony still brings tears to my eyes. In the summer, our swim team hosted the Carol Taylor Swim For Hope to raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Society, and the team still hosts this event every other year. Her spirit has inspired me and thousands of other people to help fight back against this disease.

Together, we can help make a difference in the lives of those Americans who are diagnosed with cancer. Relay For Life at UVa is just starting to really gear up in its tenth year, and I hope you will join us on our quest to raise $100,000 for the American Cancer Society!


Relay Love,
Caitlin

Caitlin can be reached by email at ceh5fk@virginia.edu.

Our New Home!

Thank you so much for making Relay 2012 a HUGE SUCCESS! We have raised over $84,000 and are less than $900 from our goal of $85,000. Way to go UVA!

Make sure to check out our new Online Resource Center for pictures, the 2012 Committee Application and more! relayforlife.student.virginia.edu