I hope by now, many of you have had a chance to learn about the Relay For Life event taking place in one of the world's largest virtual communities, Second Life.  Fayandria Foley, the event chair, blogs here from time to time and brags (rightfully so!) on her awesome group of international volunteers who not only "get" Relay but are blowing their event out of the water!

The kick off took place about a month ago, the official launch of the season was held Saturday and attended by about 200 people, and official fundraising began Sunday 3/16.  At last count, team recruitment was at 84 teams (up from 43 last year) and fundraising totals were at a little over $14,300 at 12pm PST today.  I don't know about you, but I'd be thrilled to raise $14k for my local event - IN THREE DAYS!

I can not be more proud to work with such an amazing group of volunteers who not only welcomed Relay into their community.  They "get it" and have made it their own!  This is such a great example of how Relay is truly universal, no matter what the community.  As Fay would put it "Go Relay!"

For those of you in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, your Task Forces were hard at work this weekend, planning for '08 and beyond.  We have such awesome opportunities in our division, with 720 events - more than any other division out there!

For those of you division and region leaders out there, do you have strategic plans?  We ask our events to craft their plan, complete the 1,000 Day Journey, but do you for your leadership efforts?  How will you train?  Is relayforlife.org part of your plan?  How will you support increases as opportunities for new events decline?  (I'm askin' because I'm lookin' for ideas!!)

I'm excited to help my division with our training plan, making sure we are doing what we need to today to meet our future needs as we change and grow.

Last but not least, our weekend ended with a fitting tribute to Victoria Enmon, a Hero of Hope and amazing young woman whom we lost earlier this year to her fight with cancer.  Her mother surprised us all by being there, and she spoke in such a positive, uplifting manner.  Even when you've done this for 10 years, it's so important to remember why we do this - and to keep fighting!

Fresh out of our kick off on Sunday, we are already at 70 teams, already 30 more teams than last year!  This is a testament to awesome momentum built from years past and a fantastic community of volunteers and Relayers ready to make a difference in the world, virtual or not!  Want to check it out?  Join Secondlife and then give a visit to ACS Island.  Ask me how.

 $150,000 here we come!

Yesterday was the kickoff for the RFL of SL event, due to happen this July.  ACS's first virtual RFL event, we raised over $115k last year and aim to raise $150k this year.  I'm really excited about the possibilities virtual worlds offer in reaching new people from all walks of life across the globe. 

 The location where the kickoff was held was maxed out at about 92 people, with more trying to get in but not able.  Lucky enough, sound was broadcasted on the internet so others could listen who could not get in to "watch" the stage. 

 For those of you interested in checking out the American Cancer Society presence in SecondLife, visit their website, see if your computer meets their system requirements.  If it does, download the viewer and head on in!  Shoot me a message here if you'd like more information - I'd be happy to show you around.

 Watch my blog for more updates and pictures from last year's event so you can truly see how this event is the same but different, with endless possibilities for outreach and relayers alike!

Hi there!  I have to tell you, there is a group of super-charged volunteers in the Mid-South that just blew my socks off this weekend.  As part of the Nationwide Leadership Training Team, I'm priviledged to visit other divisions and support their training efforts.  I just wanted to say that these guys get it, and I know they'll do everything they can to take it to the next level and all become $500k events. 

One thing that came out of discussions was the Fight Back ceremony and the need to integrate mission year-round.  How can we expect Relayers to take the pledge at the end of our events if they don't know how/what they can do to fight back?  Remember as we move ahead with this new and exciting ceremony to equip your Relayers with the knowledge needed to make this ceremony truly powerful.