Hello everyone,

 

My name is Johnathan and I am a new team captain this year. As of the count before I left work today I have 17 possible participants this year and I just put up the sign up sheet two days ago. There is about another 10 - 15 that have told me they are interested but haven't filled out my interested sheet.

 

My question is not everyone on the team uses the internet. Where do I get the paper version of the registration sheets. I know they had it last year but this year it is all about the online. My goal was to myself register the team members and I would go off the registration sheets they hand me.

 

Anyone have an suggestions? My event is in Bellingham, Washington and it is the Whatcom County Relay For Life.

 

Also, if my team raises enough money we may go for the sponsorship program. Not sure yet though. But can you register a team with the 100 dollars and then if you get enough money then change your mind and register it for the sponsorship? Also, if I decide to just register the team and put in a made up team name can I change it at a later time?

I'm a new team captain how do I reg. online?

Relay for Life, Memorial Foundation Hope Lodge

Rhonda Davis credits Relay For Life fundraising dollars with her life. "Without the money generated through Relay For Life, I would not be here," says Rhonda, "I am one of the lucky ones to have my round with ovarian cancer found early. I know that it is often a cancer that goes undetected until it is too late."

Rhonda uses Relay For Life to celebrate her survivorship, her mother's survivorship, and for an opportunity to give back.

She calls Relay For Life a life-altering experience, saying that "once you have attended a Relay, become involved in the celebration, there is no way that you will not "bleed purple" from that moment on. It's infectious!"

Like many other cancer survivors, Rhonda will never forget her first lap as a survivor. Rhonda had only been in treatment for 6 months when she led that survivors' lap, and will never forget the look on her husband's face as he watched her from the sidelines.

Since becoming involved with Relay For Life, Rhonda has found other ways to volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She continues to participate in Relay For Life after serving as an Ambassador for Celebration on the Hill in 2006. As ambassadors, Rhonda and her husband were able to help their lawmaker realize that cancer is and should be a national priority.

"I want a world where no on ever has to hear, 'I have cancer,' from someone they love," says Rhonda. "I want a world that we only Relay to celebrate the end of cancer."

Brittany Coppedge was a 19-year-old college sophomore. She had been a competitive gymnast for 13 years. She was the shining light of her mother's life.

Brittany was diagnosed with lung cancer on December 4, 2006, and died 24 days later.

Her mother Tammy Coppedge Remembers her at Relay For Life, and wants everyone to know her daughter's story. Tammy had been a part of Relay For Life for that last 6 years, but last year's event was the first time that she used her Relay experience to remember "Brittany's Battle."

Tammy is moved by the Luminaria Ceremony, saying it is heart-wrenching part of the Relay For Life experience. It can be one of the most difficult times of the evening, but can also be the most memorable. Standing in silence, turning inward and feeling the loss of so many and reliving the loss of her daughter makes her more determined to find a way to make a difference for the future.

Does anyone else experience an issue in their community with a noise ordinance?

We have had issues 2 years running with one complainer in the neighborhood near our

school. Any input would be greatly appreciated. We have to have a way to party all

night.

Patricia Morales has been a Relay For Life participant sine 1999 as a team captain. She quickly became the Luminaria Chair, serving in that role for a couple of years. When her Relay For Life event got its own website, she was able to lend her online talents to become the Online Chair, eventually becoming the Event Chair. Patricia now volunteers for three Relay For Life events in her area, and is a facilitator for the L.A. North and L.A. South Relay Universities.

To Patricia, the most important aspect of Relay For Life is that it is non-discriminatory. "Relay allows a hugely diverse community to come together for one common purpose...to wipe out cancer," says Morales. "All ages, all races, all religions can unite in this event to celebrate that we are still here, remember those who have lost their fight, and fight back in honor of those who may not have the strength to do so."

I work for an after-school program with kids from ages 5-12.  What do you think would be a good fundraiser for this age group?  We have 13 sites with over 500 kids in the program total.  We were thinking about a walkathon or penny wars.  Are there any other ideas that would be good? 

TIA!

Kelly

I am a survivor and my story is not about me or my cancer, but about Caregivers. I RELAY as a salute to those who have given their unselfish DEDICATION and unconditional LOVE. My story is simple, consisting of several periods in my life, if it were not for Caregivers, I would not be here today to enjoy life. To keep my story short. I have survived childhood abuse, as a child nearly died from blood poisoning after my appendix ruptured and was not taken to the hospital until I was so stiff I could not move, I had met my first care angel. Homeless as a late teen, met my second care angel. 26 years ago met my 3rd care angel when fighting alcoholism and suicide. My 4th after nearly loosing my life after being shot during a drive by shooting. My 5th while suffering from chronic pneumonia. My 6th when I was told I had cancer and it had been there for years. I was told to prepare myself and my family for my day of surgery as if I was not going to survive it. MY first grandson was born just a month before and he became my fight against cancer and he has walked with me every year since 2002. A real caregiver. To me caregivers are not just those who take you to treatments but help you with your fight. May God bless CAREGIVERS all over the world. I will RELAY for the rest of my life even if the cure is found. Ric Navarro Sr.

I am a breast cancer survivor.  I created a team when I was going thru radiation in Mar 05.  I had always wanted to do something to help fight the battle especially since my mother had it 3 times and lost the third time around.  The only thing I knew of and participated in was the Daffodil Days and then I gave a donation every year. I never knew there was this terrific thing called Relay.  Now, I talk about it regularly. 

Hello, my name is Jan. I am the proud mother of an American Soldier, who is battling his own battle with cancer.

In September Cpl. Andrew Cunningham was accepted to join Special Forces Trainging. During a complete physical, a chest xray was done. What was found, three tumors. He was stationed at Camp Stanley, Korea at the time. I flew to Korea to be with him and on Oct. 9, 2007 he had surgery to remove the mass. On October 23 we found out that it was cancer. Testecular cancer that had spread.

Andrew is now at Schofield Baracks in Hawaii. He has just finished his 3rd round of chemo at Tripler Army Medical Center. Recent blood work has showed that there is a cancer marker that is not responding to treatments, so a MRI needs to be done on his head to determine if it has spread to the brain. He begins the 4th round of chemo in 2 weeks.

Andrew is a very strong young man, 3 days after his surgery in Korea, he reinlisted to the United States Army for another 6 years. I was there and so very proud of my son.

Good Evening fellow Relayers.  I am looking for information in regards to setting-up a web page for our community.  If anyone could answer the following questions, that would be so helpful:

• Is there any specifics to setting up a Relay for Life Web page?
• Who pays for the site?  Or is there no charge for ACS / Relay?
• Is there any locations (on the web) that help with building your page?

Thanks,

Geanie68