Wow!  It has been 6 months since I last wrote anything on my blog.  A lot has happened both in Relay and in life.  Since February I have attended 5 Relay For Life® events and countless events supporting those Relays. 

Okay, so I took the National Team Partners Quiz posted by Nancy Cook.  I answered 4 our of the 8 questions correctly.  You could say I failed this quiz.  Looks like I need to brush up on my knowledge of the National Team Partners program.

I have chosen to FIGHT BACK against tobacco! 

This past week I renewed my membership with ACS CAN and e-mailed letters to my congressmen asking them to pass the FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products legislation.

Wow!  What an amazing weekend.  I spent it with approximately 800 or so individuals whose energy was simply off the charts!  I attended the 2008 Relay For Life^® Summit in Los Angeles, California.  I was a bit star struck when I ran into Jeff and Darci from the Celebrate.  Remember.  Fight Back.  video.  Pat Flynn, "Mother" of Relay For Life®, was also in attendance.  Staff and volunteers from throughout California were there sharing ideas.  Both Relays I am involved in, Atwater and Merced, received Pacesetter Awards.  I was honored to accept the Top Excellence in Mission:  Promotion award for the Atwater Relay For Life^®.  We met California's Heroes of Hope, including Atwater's Maria Williams.  What an AMAZING WEEKEND!

The 6th Annual Relay For Life® of Atwater was held on September 27, 2008. Due to a new artificial field being installed at our usual site, the committee decided to move the location to a local school, Shaffer Elementary School. Everything with the move turned out great! The event went on without a hitch and was a great success.

This past weekend I attended the Relay University in Fresno, CA. I was asked to facilitate two workshops, the Mission D and Fight Back workshops. I want to thank my wonderful co-facilitators, Jennifer Giese and Maria Williams. They were awesome and we had a lot of fun.

Last night was our Survivor's Reception.  Although the turnout was less than last year, it was a great success. 

CELEBRATE. 

We celebrated the surivivors and caregivers by recognizing them with a small token.  With her mother by her side, Cassie Gunter shared her story about her battle with cancer.  Cassie was followed by her mother who told us the story from a caregiver's perspective.  Truly an amazing and inspriational story!

REMEMBER. 

A mini-luminaria ceremony would honor those who have battled cancer and remember those who we have lost.  The ceremony would be closed with a song sung by David Bond.

Tomorrow night is our Survivor's Reception.  We had a great turnout last year and expect it to be even better this year.  I will be presenting a Mini Fight Back Ceremony towards the end of the reception.  With the way I vision it going it will be a great success. 

A lot is changing with our Relay this year.  The high school where we usually have our event is getting a new all weather track and field.  After meeting with representatives from the high school our committee decided it best to change locations.  We have selected a local elementary school with a track.  Change is not always easy, but our committee is taking it in stride.  There are a lot of positives with the venue change. 

I recieved a phone call a couple of weeks ago asking if I would be willing to consider being the event chair in a couple of years.  I agreed.  It is an honor to have been asked and a bit scary at the same time.  To just think, only two years ago, I had only heard of the Relay For Life^® and now I am being asked to be the chairperson.  I sometimes wonder if I am ready for such a responsibility.  Of course, with such a great committee I am sure to do fine. 

The Annual Atwater 4th of July Parade was a great success for the Atwater Relay for LIfe^®.  Instead of walking in the parade this year, it was decided to enter a float.  Maria Williams, event co-chair, headed up the parade committee and what a wonderful job she did! 

Go to http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=77627 to see the photo album.

Maria created a mini-campsite on a flatbed trailer with mini-people (kids).  It included at tent, table, benches, an ice chest, and hay.  Then everything was decorated in red, white, blue & purple.  Along with the U.S. Flag flew the Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back flags.  Kathy Flaherty, Team Development, Dennis Johnson, Logistics, and I, Mission Delivery, carried the Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. sail banners in front of the float.  Led by Beatrice Johnson, Logistics, a team of volunteers accepted donations from parade spectators collecting almost $300.  Great job Maria!

I have been burning the candle at both ends for the past 8 months or so.  I have been working two jobs, volunteering my time with the American Cancer Society and trying to keep some sort of life.  As you can imagine, this lifestyle could only last so long.  The burnout would be felt across the board with everything I was involved with.

Burnout no more!  I no longer work two jobs and have much more free time.  I am looking forward to the Atwater Relay For Life^® only 3 months away.  I have finally pulled my Relay stuff out of the garage to sift through.  My excitement grows and grows. 

It's been two long months since I have really thought about the Relay For Life®.  I have attended a few meetings, but my involvement has been limited.  The ball is now rolling and the Atwater Relay is only 3 months away.  My excitement grows as it nears.  I'll be writing more soon.