The 10th Annual Merced Relay For Life® raised $193,300 and is expected to exceed $200,000 by the end of April.  Go to http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/242029.html to read the article featured in the Merced Sun Star.

Only days before the 10th Annual Relay For Life of Merced a letter was written to the editor of the Merced Sun-Star, our local newspaper.  In it the author blasts Cynthia Nixon, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the American Cancer Society Relay For Life^®.  Go to http://www.mercedsunstar.com/180/story/235525.html to read this letter online.

The American Cancer Society Lead Volunteer for the Great Valley South Region, Kathy Flaherty, was quick to get a response to the editor.  In it she defends the reseach supported by ACS.  Go to http://www.mercedsunstar.com/177/story/240007.html to read Flaherty's letter.

The Merced Relay For Life® is this Saturday!  Although I know it not to be true, I feel completely unprepared.  I have teams signed up to facilitate various activites throughout the day.  I am getting help with the Fight Back & Mission Delivery campsites.  I pretty much have the Closing & Fight Back ceremonies ready to go.  I still feel unorganized.  I feel like I am missing something.  I know it will all come together.  It always does. 

Okay, I am finally getting settled.  Over the past 2 months I have moved twice and been without internet off and on.  And then there are the two jobs.  When I am not working or sleeping, I am working on the Relay For Life^®. 

The Relay For Life^® of Merced is almost here.  April 26-27.  There is a lot to get done before that time.  I am working on a Relay Almanac for participants.  It's basically the same as a Relay Passport or the Relay Guide I made for the Atwater event last year.  However, it will be designed to mimmic an almanac.  I am working with the Entertainment Chairs and teams to get the mission delivery activities planned.  And then there is the Fight Back & Closing Ceremonies.  We are combining the two into one and I have asked for the responsibility of planning it.  So much to do with so little time left. 

I wanted to share with everyone an article written by the Merced Sun-Star on September 17, 2007 about a man, Jeff Stopper, who attempted to run 100 miles during the Relay For Life of Atwater.  Although he did not make the 100 mile mark due to a knee injury he made a valiant effort.  I do not remember how many miles he did run, but I believe it was over 80 miles.  He is a true inspiration and the essence of Fight Back!  Here is the article:

Inspired by memory of his late wife, Atwater man takes Relay for Life to new lengths

Jeff Stopper plans 100-mile run

By Abby Souza
asouza@mercedsun-star.com

Has it really been almost 3 months since I last wrote something?  The answer is YES.  I have started to write on a couple of occasions only to find myself too tired to coherently write what was on my mind.

Where have I been?  Working!  Since October I have been working two jobs, one part-time and the other full-time.  My days typically begin about 8:30 am and end sometime between 1:00 to 4:00 am.  However, I have still been involved in my local relay.

In December our Relay participated in the community Christmas Parade.  The parade theme was "A Storybook Christmas" and we chose Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" as our theme.  I was nominated to play the role of George Bailey.  That was a lot of fun.

I have been attending both committee and team captains' meetings.  Our Relay is quickly approaching and things are going to be happening fast.  I am really looking forward to it.

This will be our events 10th year anniversary and our event theme is "Decades."  I am the Mission Delivery Chairperson and my committee has a lot going on this year.  We are creating a "Relay Almanac" to encourge team interaction.  We are working closely with our Entertainment Committee and various teams to coordinate 24 hours of activities.  We are using Spirit Points and awarding the perpetual Spirit Award at the end of Relay.  We will also be in charge of the Fight Back! Ceremony.  There is a lot to do, but I am sure it will all come together.

Today I have taken the time to listen to all the entries for the RelayForLife.org/SharingHope.tv Music Contest.  There's a lot of talent out there and it is great to know some of it shares our interest in fighting cancer.  There was not a song I did not like, but I could only vote for one.  It may have been my mood.  It may have been the message.  It may have been the overall feeling I got when I heard it.  But my vote went to Jenny Spiegel for the Power of One.  The voting ends November 30th.  Take an hour out of your day to listen to the songs and vote for the one you like. 

The ball is rolling once again for another Relay for Life event.  This event is the Merced Relay for Life being held in April 2008.  Again, I have joined the committee as the Missioin Delivery Chair for this event. 

Last night the committee met for the first time and went over some of the upcoming events as well as planned for next weeks Team Captain Kickoff. 

Relay University for the Great Valley South will be taking place on November 17th.  I did not know if I would be attending due to my work schedule.  Last night I was informed I will be attending the event.  There is a friendly competition among the Relays seeing who can bring the most participants.  I will be representing the Atwater Relay for Life.  I look forward to Relay U.

We will be participating in Merced's Annual Christmas Parade on December 1st.  The details are still being worked out. 

On December 29th, 2007 at 7:30 pm the Fresno Falcons and the American Cancer Society will present the 2nd Annual Relay at the Rink event with a post game live jersey auction.  This should be a fun event.  I am not sure if I will be attending, but if I do, I'll be sure to get a lot of photos.

This is a test.

When I arrived home from work I began preparing for my Relay's Wrap-Up Party. I really did not have anything to do, but I needed to change and wanted to check my e-mail. Natually I ended up checking the www.RelayForLife.org website. I found myself reading a blog, Mission Matters- October, 2007. Fight Back Against Breast Cancer, written by Kelli Barry. (If you have not already read Kelli's blog, it is loaded with lots of information and I recommend reading it.) I looked at the clock and I had some time before the conference call would begin.

As I called the toll-free number I realized I still had to copy the photos from our Relay for my Event Chairperson. I was the first one on the call and told it would be silent until another person joined. I plugged headphones into my phone and placed one earpiece in my ear. Soon after a couple of voices joined in saying hello.

I will have to be honest, I did not catch the names of those I was talking to. I believe one was Kelli and know the other was from Michigan. Although I have signed up for Track Chats, this is the first conference call I have been on. We chit-chatted for a couple of minutes before getting into the information.