It's an issue that many committees face every year. At what point do you start talking less about fundraising and more about the actual event? Unfortunately, I don't have the answer.

But, from my own experience, you should never stop talking about fundraising. Your Team Captain Meeting Agendas should always include a Fundraising discussion. Teams should be encouraged to share what they are doing pre-event....as well as on event night. And when you get about 2-3 months before your event, you can talk about what's going to happen that night.

Team Captains need to know what exciting things will be going on at your event so they can share with the teams. Plus, if there are some activities that require pre-registration or pre-event preparation, teams need ample time to prepare.

The caution here is to make sure that event night activities don't monopolize your entire meeting agenda. Never forget that Relay For Life is a fund-raising event. It's the American Cancer Society's signature event that helps to fund life-saving cancer research. Don't feel bad if you keep talking about raising money...that is why most teams get involved in the first place!

The Belleville Relay Committee hosted their first team meeting. This is the information that was covered.

Share your team with all of us (Register your team)
This year, we will be registering each team on the Relay website, even if you registered via a paper registration form. A benefit of this registration is that it allows your team access to online fundraising, team reports, and Relay information available at all times. You can also sign up survivors, order luminaria, and sign up as a corporate sponsor. The site also gives the ACS and committee all the necessary information on your team including survivor info and T Shirt size. If you need assistance in registering your team, just talk with someone on the committee, or contact Jannean Muehlfeld at jmafeld@charter.net or Matt Fournie at rfl_belleville@charter.net or 618-972-2714.

Once again we return to the question of Luminaria.  How do we enter Luminaria into the system when they come in as offline donations.  We would like to get our Luminaria information into the database even if they are purchased using a written form.  Suggestions?

 Thanks,

Nancy - Somoco Relay Event Chair

Our Relay is moving to a different location this year.  We are most excited as the stadium we are moving to is much larger and has a large screen/Jumbotron that we will have access to.  I'm looking for ideas on ways to utilize the Jumbotron to enhance our event.  Of course, we've already discussed using it for our slide show, for showing the Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back video, etc. - but I would appreciate any other ideas you all have.

Hi
We are having our first relay and I am in charge of logistics-I found some information on the website but if anyone has any ideas of check list, what is all needed I would appreciate it GREATLY!
Thanks
Missy

In 2006, I rode my first bike ride against cancer for Kinsley Bulger. What an awesome experience that was!! Ever since I have always wanted to help out any way I could to fight cancer. I truly hope one day for a cure for all cancers and I know that by riding from Monroeville to Mobile is a start. I am not a professional and am not sure if I'll even make it the whole 92 miles!! but I am willing to give it my all. Cancer has taken a cousin of mine last month and my sister-in-law lost her mother to breast cancer so I know first hand the affects of cancer.

Let's do this together and overcome cancer!!!

Monica Chavers

Janice Shupp’s first Relay experience was as a Team Captain in 2003 in Murrells Inlet, SC. She is now the Event Co-Chair in Sugar Land, TX.

Janice has been a breast cancer survivor for four years now, and sees Relay For Life as an opportunity to make friends, family, and her community aware. She says that Relay For Life is an excellent way to introduce people to the concepts of early detection, cancer education, saving lives through research, and the American Cancer Society’s patient support programs.

Like many survivors, Janice’s most memorable experience at Relay For Life is the Survivor’s Lap. “Just seeing those that have fought the battle and won, those that are fighting and will win,” she says.

Although Janice is a survivor, she has lost many family members to cancer. She Remembers them all through her participation in Relay For Life. She lost her father (lung/brain cancer), her grandmother (stomach cancer), her uncle (lung/bone cancer), her aunt (colon cancer), and most recently her brother (lung/brain cancer). Her mother is an ovarian cancer survivor.

Bethe Arisman is a cancer survivor. She understands that cancer does not just affect the person who is diagnosed, it impacts the entire family.

Bethe attended her first Relay For Life event last year, and walked in the survivor’s lap. But that’s not all. In her first year, Bethe served as a Team Captain for her team. Still, that’s not all. Bethe was also the Accounting Chair for the Speedway, IN Relay For Life. Bethe’s husband served as the Event Chair. The event raised over $40,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Bethe uses Relay For Life to celebrate the incredible children who are cancer survivors. In addition to participating in Relay For Life, Bethe and her husband, Steve, run a cancer camp for children. “Children with cancer are truly the strongest kids in the world,” says Bethe. “Their love knows no boundaries…there are no prejudices for disfigured limbs or bodies.”

Lisa Ott has been involved with Relay For Life since May of 2004.  Her son, Keegan, fought cancer and looked forward to Relay For Life every year to hang out with friends and classmates.

Lisa's participation is a sign of her own inner-strength, as she remembers Keegan by continuing to volunteer for Relay For Life.  Keegan lost his battle with cancer, and his mother continues the fight in his memory.

Lisa's own words:

"To me he was my son, my baby, my student, my sunshine and many times my best friend.  We laughed, we cried, we ate, we played, we sang and we slept. We flew, we crashed, we drove, and we rode in courtesy vehicles and taxis. We met people from all over the world, we observed, we shopped, we saw the latest releases, we watched action flicks, comedies, and an occasional chick flick. We argued, we studied, and we argued about studying. We stayed in motels, hospitals, and Ronald McDonald Houses. We made new friends and doctor appointments, we hunted, and we watched the hunting channel. We hugged, we walked, we talked, we chilled, we surfed, we waited, we prayed and we grew. Keegan is the Angel on my shoulder and he will be forever missed. With each passing day, I pray that the Lord will lessen the pain in our hearts and the stories and photos will keep his memories vivid.

Is there a way to enter Luminaria Information into the database when the Luminaria is purchased via an offline donation.  From what i can see, this is not possible, but perhaps I am going about it the wrong way.  Suggestions?

Greetings one and all-

Well it's official.  My relay team is online.  It's Sarpy Super Heroes for Papillion NE.  Anyone out there wanting to join please feel free.  The more the merrier right?  You can contact me through here or at me email address shirls30@cox.net for more info.  Let's make this the best year ever!

Hey ya'll can't wait for the relay 2008!

This will be my 9th Relay for Life! I am so excited! only 2 more months to go! 

This is so cool to be able to share your experience with lots of other people who are just as enthusiastic as you are!

Thanks

ttyl

RelayGirlKrirstyn94 

Hi guys!

Ok if you are reading this you are either on my team (and Savys and Mayas) or you are just a random stranger so HI!

 Relay is really important to me because my grandma died of lung cancer.

Hi guys!

Ok if you are reading this you are either on my team (and Savys and Mayas) or you are just a random stranger so HI!

 Relay is really important to me because my grandma died of lung cancer.

As I was said before. We met different doctor some give you hope other take away. I been in support groups trying to understant how you get your self ready for bad news and the posible loss of a love me. My husband is been a inspiration for me, he is alway thinking in other people worrie for the family putting other people first. maybe you read this and said this make nonsense but cancer don't make sense to me. A wonderful father, army veteran, hard worker, good friend, good son and wonderful husband why have to go throught so much pain. Maybe some body out there understant this pain. We are just ordinary people that want to make a different. Last year was our first year of relay, three days after we have the news the cancer spread. In that relate I learn about courage and heart! I was dress as a bee and my husband walk all night long.This year I work hard to raise money for relay, for my husband legacy. Friday we going to the doctor again pray for us.

I am super excited about being part of Relay for Life this year! I have already begun to spread the word about starting a team and I know we will be able to raise a ton of money for this great cause! Fundraising ideas are already filling my head and I can’t wait to do a "Wash a dog, Save a life" day! So much fun