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.

After reading the blog Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back guidebook by Bobby Cherry I downloaded, printed, and read the guidebook. If you have not read it yet, go do it. The guidebook is a great source of information and has me excited about the year to come.

I pledge to Fight Back!

Here's how:

• I will join the ACS Cancer Action Network (CAN). (Completed Oct. 9, 2007)
• I will sign the online petition informing the candidates running for President to Make Access to Health Care a National Issue. (Completed Oct. 9, 2007)
• I will get involved at the local, state, and/or national level in the Access to Healthcare campaign.
• I will encourage my nieces and nephew to eat more fruits and vegetables instead of sweets. ongoing
• I will start eating more fruits and vegetables. ongoing
• I will encourage others to make the pledge to Fight Back! ongoing

I am sure there will be more to come.

I am in the process of writing a How-To Guide to design your own Relay Guide.  It is written for Microsoft Office Word 2007, but is simple enough to be used with most word processors.  I originally created the Relay Guide using Microsoft Office Word 2000.  I hope to be able to attach a couple of files along with my How-To Guide.  I plan on attaching a blank guide to simplify the process of making your own guide.  I will also be attaching the files used in creating the guide we used for our event. 

Many events have taken place since I wrote my last blog in July.  The Committee hosted a Survivors' Reception.  Atwater hosted its 85th Anniversary Celebration at Veteran's Park in August.  Although I was unable to attend, the Relay for Life of Atwater was present spreading the mission of the American Cancer Society and inviting the community to join the Relay for Life.  My team, Family & Friends, held a 2-day carwash and bake sale raising about $300.  We could have potentially raised more had we promoted the Relay for Life better, but we did well considering we were competing with three other fundraising car washes.  Only one week before Relay, Atwater hosted its annual Fall Festival in Ralston Park.  Again, the Relay for Life of Atwater was present spreading the mission and inviting the community.

The 5th Annual Relay for Life of Atwater began on September 22nd, 2007.  The forecast called for rain and rain it did!  The morning began with only a light sprinkle, but about an hour before the relay was scheduled to begin the rain poured down on us.  Although wet our spirits were high and we continued with only slight delays.  Surprisingly, by noon the rain had left and the weather for the remainder of the relay was great.

The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate the independence of the United States and to honor all the soldiers who have fought to keep our country free.  People across the country have barbecues, parties, parades, and festivals.  Atwater is no different!

Despite hot temperatures, Atwater hosted its Annual 4th of July Parade.  People across Merced County pack the streets of the parade route.  The parade begins at 10:00 am and the first spectators arrive as much  as 2 hours early in search of the perfect spot.  Members of our committee arrived at 8:00 am to set up our booth in the park and then we met at 9:00 am to line up for the parade.  That's right!  We were in the parade. 

There were only five of us marching and two of the five carrying donation cans.  The banner carried was the same banner taken to Washington, DC last year.  As we walked the parade route we received applause from spectators.  We asked the crowd to donate their loose change and had a couple of people donate $20.  It all added up and we did quite well.

Tonight was my first committee meeting since becoming the Mission Delivery Chair.  Our committee was both warm and inviting.  After the event chair opened the meeting with introductions it was my turn to present a Mission Moment.  I have planned out all the Mission Moments for the committee and team captains' meetings.  I had scheduled a Mission Moment dealing with research, but when it came time I realized I had not fully prepared myself.  Instead, I quickly adapted my plan and presented a moment regarding information services. 

The Mission Moment is titled "Cell Phone" and is simple to present.  Simply ask everyone to take out their cell phones and instruct them to add the ACS number, (800) ACS-2345, storing it as "Cancer Info."  Now anytime they meet someone with questions about ACS or has been recently diagnosed with cancer they have the number readily available.  This is a quick explanation.  For more information, consult the Mission Delivery Activities Book 2007.

I was searching for a file on my computer when I came across a video featured on the Merced Sun-Star's website about the Relay for Life of Merced.  The Merced Relay was April 28th, 2007 and raised about $185,000 for the American Cancer Society.  It was my team's first relay.  In the video you can see my parents walking around the track.

I meet with ASC staff and event chair on Wednesday.  We will be putting together our Mission Delivery Plan for September's relay.  I have met once with ACS staff to discuss exactly what I volunteered for and was given direction as well as ideas.  I was provided a Mission Delivery Activities Book along with other items.  I am really excited about the meeting and wish we could meet sooner.

One of the ideas presented was Relay Passports to promote interaction among teams and guests.  I was given a couple of examples to work with.  Having done some traveling myself, I actually used my U.S. Passport as my biggest inspiration. 

I have started putting together the idea and drawing out the different pages.  The design is to be similar to an actual passport.  The cover will say "PASSPORT" with the Relay for Life logo and below that "American Cancer Society".  I have not decided whether or not the cover will be colored.  The dimensions will be larger than an actual passport.  Instead of 3 1/2 by 5 inches it will be 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches.  I am guessing it will have approximately the same amount of pages inside.

The Atwater Relay is just a little more than three months away and I know the time will pass quickly.  Things are moving along quite well.  The month of June is my recruitment month.  My goal is to recruit 36 members forming two teams.  So far I have committed 12 people including myself.  I am a third of the way there. 

Fundraising is my next team task.  I have two ideas we are currently working on, "Climbing for a Cure" and a car wash.  The "Climbing for a Cure" was not my idea, but I liked it and borrowed it.  All team fundraising ideas are still in the infancy stages of planning as of yet.

I will be taking on a much bigger role for the Atwater Relay.  I have volunteered to sit on the relay committee as the Mission Delivery Chair.  I am really looking forward the challenge set before me. 

That's about it for now.

Tonight I attended my first team captain's meeting for the Atwater Relay.  We began with introductions and moved on to the "mission moment."  We were asked to share the reasons why we relay and I volunteered my story.  Information was provided about the logistics, fundraising, and other items.

After the meeting I was asked if I would be willing to take on a committee role for the relay.  We discussed it for a moment and I agreed.  Unfortunately, I do not remember the exact title, but I know it will involve the education aspect of the relay.  I am really looking forward to it.

After the meeting, I stopped by a friend's house.  He and his wife were instrumental in the success of our first relay.  I could not have done it without them.  I sat down with them and began discussing ideas for the Atwater relay.  We discussed a new team name, fundraising ideas, and campsite themes.  I was also able to recruit one of their neighbors.  My friend has also recruited a couple of co-workers.  I have not done an official count, but I think our team is up to 12 or so.