Going Greek: ZBT Comes to the Front as a Top Team in This Year's Relay

As the March Madness tournament continues, we find ourselves left to 8 teams left as they compete to win not only the prestige of beating out 31 other teams in this fundraising battle, but also $50 dollars and points towards their team! This week, we thought it might be interesting to interview one of the teams in the top eight: ZBTeam, and get some insight onto how they feel about getting their fraternity involved in Relay For Life.

When asked about his own involvement with Relay For Life through ZBT, Matthew Fay responded, “It’s a group effort, and a great bonding opportunity.” He explained that each member of the fraternity has made an effort to get involved in fundraising. They all donate, and whenever any of them are available, they work together to raise money for Relay. However, although all the brothers work together as they battle it out for the number one spot on the bracket, as a team, they really depend on their philanthropy chair, Josh Stroker. As Bryan Kadlec, a second year engineer put it, “We have a fine philanthropy chair.” As chair, Stroker has put in hours of work not only organizing their fundraiser, ZBT’s Lemonade on the Lawn, but also making all of the baked goods to be sold himself. Kadlec reports that he is “proud of Josh more than anybody.” Stroker has said to him and other members of the fraternity that getting involved in Relay is the most amazing project he has undertaken so far in his two years here at UVA. “It was his job to organize it, but he’s definitely been the most involved. However, we all try to help him as best we can; it hasn’t been just him,” said Fay, while elaborating on the influence Stroker has had on the organization of ZBT’s awesome effort to raise money for this year’s Relay For Life.

Although Stroker has taken the lead (rightfully so) on moving ZBT up (hopefully) into the final four, it is obvious that the entire fraternity is proud of what they have accomplished so far. Alex Weinberg, a first year pledge, reports that until he pledged for ZBT, he hadn’t really heard of Relay For Life. However, he has stated that he feels “proud” of his fraternity for all the hard work they’re all putting in.

When asked about how the brothers felt about representing a greek organization, all agreed that they hoped to perhaps inspire other fraternities and sororities to get involved as well. As Fay put it, “I would really recommend other fraternities to do it, I mean, it’s a really good cause.” Kadlec agreed. “We hope to start a trend.”

Confident in their chance at the title of March Madness Champion for 2012, the brothers present during the interview joked around about why they thought it would be incredible to win. Fay stated, “It’s not a competition,” only to be quickly countered by Kadlec, who earnestly insisted it was. “However,” he qualified soon after, “If we win, it means we raise a lot of money.”

ZBT is quickly emerging as one of the most successful teams in this year’s Relay event. Let’s all try to share the same enthusiasm as we push into the final two weeks till Relay 2012!

As always, with Relay Love,

Relay For Life at UVA

HOO Needs Some Inspiration?

Hello Everyone!

In honor of Relay For Life at UVA’s TENTH anniversary (woo-hoo!), we thought that this week it would be great to talk a little bit about a fellow school’s Relay For Life program, as well as look at our own goals for the future of Relay here at UVA.

Virginia Tech boasts one of the most successful Relay programs in the country. In 2009, they were the first collegiate Relay to surpass $500,000 raised, which is absolutely incredible! In 2011, just last year, they raised an AMAZING $600,000+! As a three-time receiver of the American Cancer Society’s Gordy Klatt Award, Virginia Tech’s Relay For Life serves as the standard to which other collegiate programs can aspire to.*

However, by sharing Virginia Tech’s track record, I don’t mean to say that UVA just has a “long way to go” in terms of our own success as an event. Rather, I hope to encourage our own participants to go above and beyond this year, making our 2012 Relay the BEST YET! And look, we’ve already come so far! In UVA’s first year of hosting Relay For Life, the participants raised only $2,420 (hey, every dollar counts!). But, within five short years, we raised over FIFTY times that amount, reaching $127,925! Just look at what we have accomplished already, raising over $650,000! I don’t know about you all, but our history gives me so much hope for the future success of our own Relay program. Let's keep those numbers in our heads for the next month as we speed away towards the big day! We are well on our way to reaching our $100,000 goal, but there is still a ways to go!

We have less than a month left until the big night, so take some inspiration from Virginia Tech, as well as from our own success, and make that effort to recruit one more person this week, raise one more dollar, send one more email. Every effort counts!

Until next week, and with Relay-Love,

Relay For Life at UVA

*Interested in learning more about Relay For Life at Virginia Tech? 

Click here: Virginia Tech Relay For Life Article

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!