Relay For Life

Be Back Next Year

2005-12-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone-

I hope that you are enjoying your holiday season, as well as getting ready for Relay. I know that the holiday season is a good time to fundraise for me, so I hope that you all take advantage of it to. I will be back next year, or should I say next week with tons of helpful hints and resources for you to use and incorporate into your Relay For Life.

Happy New Year!
Josh

Interesting Relay For Life Facts

2005-12-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

The ACS name and logo are recognized by 98% of Americans!

Americans believe cancer is the single most important health problem they, personally, could face in the future. (G)

Over 40% of Americans say they have contributed to the American Cancer Society. (G)

Based on a recent Gallup Poll, one out of three Americans have heard of the RFL. (G)

The ACS is the most trusted source for accurate, up-to-date information on cancer, even ahead of the personal physician. (G)

The ACS is the largest voluntary health organization in the world, raising $770 million last fiscal year (2001) - (A). They have more than 25 million donors and over 2 million active volunteers.

The ACS is the largest private source of cancer research funding, and has funded 32 Nobel Prize Laureates. (W)

1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year; more than 550,000 will die. ( C )

According to the 2002 Cone Corporate Citizenship Study, 89 percent of Americans say that in light of the Enron collapse and WorldCom financial situation, it is more important than ever for companies to be socially responsible, and more Americans than ever reported making investment, purchasing and employment decisions to reward companies that support community needs.

According to the Harvard Business review, at least 11 companies have developed "context-focused" philanthropy, in which they closely integrate their charitable work with their corporate missions.

The 1999 Cone/Roper Cause-Related Trends Report indicates that 8 in 10 Americans have more positive image of companies with causes, and two-thirds will switch brands because of that. Also, 80% of consumer consistently report that they prefer companies to commit to a specific cause for a long period of time, rather than making a one-time contribution. 87% of employees at companies with cause programs indicate a strong sense of loyalty to their employer.

In the 1999 Millennium Poll on Corporate Social Responsibility, a global opinion survey, two in three citizens wanted companies to go beyond their traditional business and profit- making roles, to contribute to broader societal goals. Moreover, over one in five consumers reported either rewarding or punishing companies in the marketplace within the past year based on their perceived social performance.

The 2000 Cone/ Roper Cause-Related Teen Survey showed that under the same conditions, nearly nine in 10 teens would be likely to switch brands and 85% would be likely to switch retailers.

One third of respondents to a Gallup Poll have heard of Relay For Life. (G)

Over 1,650 new Relay community sites have been added in the last five years.

There are 3,803 Relays planned for 2003, and there are 3,131 counties in the US.

Over one-third of counties in the US have more than one Relay site.

About half of all Relays are less than five years old.

In 2003 there will be one Relay site for every 75,000 people.

Every year there will be more than 250,000 new participants in Relay.

In 2002 63 Relays were held on college campuses. In 2003 that number will double to 140 Relay events.

Growth in Relay income in 2002 was $31 million, a 15 percent increase.

In 2000, Relay passed the half billion-dollar mark in contributions raised.

In 2001, total contributions raised by Relay since its inception increased to $732 million.

Relay For Life will reach one billion dollars in total contributions during the spring of 2003.

Relay For Life is held in nine countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Scotland, Singapore, United States. In 2003 Relays are planned to debut in Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica, Taiwan and Romania.

An additional 17 foreign cancer organizations are interested in starting their own Relays and in the developmental stages.
The mission of ACS is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives through early detection, and reducing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and community service.
Sources:G = 2000 Gallup Image StudyW = http://www.cancer.org/A = 2001 Annual ReportB = 2001 Book of StatsC = 2002 Cancer Facts & Figures

Sample Fundraising Letter

2005-12-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

This is a great way to raise money. Just personalize this letter, or write your own. Then send this letter to all of your friends and family. To better your chances of getting donations, set a deadline, and also include a self addressed, stamped envelope with your letter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dear ____________

This year I will be participating in a fun and exciting community activity — the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. The Relay is a unique way to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. I am sending you this letter in request of your support for my efforts.

Because cancer has affected us all in one way or another, I have decided to participate in Relay For Life, sponsored by several area businesses and the ACS. I am asking you to support me in this effort by making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

The Relay For Life is an all night walk/run event involving teams of 10-12 members who will keep at least one member on the track for a scheduled period of time. The Relay will take place at from 6pm-8am. Hundreds of people will be joining in the fight against cancer.

In addition, I would like to invite you to attend the Luminaria Ceremony, which will take place at # o’clock that evening. Luminaria will be lit to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer.

Our team’s goal is to raise money for research, educational programs, advocacy and patient services. By making a check payable to the American Cancer Society and returning it to me, together we can make a difference!

Thank you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, or would like to be part of this exciting event, call me at (your phone number).

Remember, there is no finish line until we find a cure!!!

Sincerely.
YOUR NAME

Online Stores

2005-12-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

These are some links to some great online stores to purchase Relay For Life goodies. I love to shop these places.

Online Relay Store : James Wesley Ltd.

Turnkey Promotions Online Store

Relay Gear

Peter E Klein Online Relay Store

Relay Dictionary

2005-12-09T18:34:00.000-08:00

This is a great resource for anyone who is not familiar with the Relay lingo. Share this with all new relayers. Enjoy!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RELAY DICTIONARY

A
ACS Action Network – The Society’s volunteer corps interested in making cancer a public health priority, especially for our lawmakers
ACS Graphic Standards – The American Cancer Society image is based on clear, consistent messages. To achieve this, stringent guidelines have been placed on the use of the American Cancer Society logo and the Relay For Life logo. Graphic standards refer to color, placement and size of the logos as well as the quality of the materials that are produced. These standards must be adhered to continuously so that no matter who is creating the material, the quality and look are consistent.
ACS Mission – The Nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer, and diminishing suffering from cancer…through research, education, advocacy, and service.
Active For Life – Active For Life is a flexible 10-week program that encourages people to be more active on a regular basis.
B
Bank Night – A Relay activity that is held one to two weeks prior to the event to encourage team captains to turn in their team monies, pick-up event T-shirts, choose campsites locations, share event information and motivate for the upcoming event.
Basic Research – Seeks to answer fundamental questions about the development and the nature of cancer; it is usually carried out through laboratory studies, with cells growing in culture dishes or with primitive organisms such as fruit flies and worms.
Behavioral Research – Understanding and improving the motivational factors in cancer prevention and screening, social and emotional impact of cancer and its treatment.Example: Why are African-American women reluctant to be screened for breast cancer, and how can we motivate them to go for mammograms?
C Cancer – The uncontrollable growth and accumulation of abnormal cells.
Cancer Control Education – Cancer Control Education on ACS early detection and prevention guidelines, programs on tobacco, breast, prostate, colorectal education, and highlights of Tell a Friend, Man to Man, Reach to Recovery, research, advocacy, survivorship and cancer information. Relay Cancer Control is a standard for all Relay For Life events.
Cancer Control Research – Investigates how scientifically obtained information about prevention, early detection, early diagnosis, state-of-the-art treatment, or rehabilitation can be efficiently and effectively applied to defined groups of people, or at the community level, to reduce the burden (new cases, deaths, economic costs) of cancer. Testing the effectiveness of Tell-A-Friend to persuade women to get mammograms is an example of cancer control research.
Cancer Smart Shop – An organized tent or location where cancer awareness education, volunteer opportunities, activities and resources are available at Relay. “Smart Shops” don’t have to be limited to a tent-education can take place everywhere at the Relay.
Cancer Survivor – In medical terms is 5 years after remission. In Relay terms, anyone from moment of diagnosis is invited as a cancer survivor to participate.
CID – Cancer Information Database. This database contains thousands of pages of cancer related information, as well as information about other organizations offering cancer information and support, local resources, etc. This information is provided free by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.
Clinical Research – Uses human subjects or materials and has direct application to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer in the people being studied. Human studies are usually called “clinical trials,” and are divided into three main phases:
Phase I: Testing the safety of the research treatment in small numbers of patients who have failed all other treatments.
Phase II: Testing the efficacy of the research treatment against various types of cancer, again with small numbers of patients.
Phase III: Ideally comparing the effectiveness of the new treatment with that of the current standard treatment in a large number of patients under conditions where neither the patient nor the physician knows which treatment is being given (Because of duration and expense of Phase III clinical trials, ACS does not usually support Phase II clinical trials).
D
Division – The American Cancer Society is divided into divisions. There are 17 divisions in the United States. Many divisions serve multiple states.
E
Early Detection –The ACS early detection guidelines for breast health education target women, age 40 years and over for annual mammography combined with clinical and self-breast exam. For prostate health, early detection guidelines focus on men 50 years and over and African American men 45 years and over to encourage them to speak with a provider on beginning annual PSA and DRE. It is important that men in these age groups discuss the relevancy of prostate screening.
Early detection guidelines for good colon health include:American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women, after age 50 begin regular colon testing. There are a variety of screening options:

Annual FOBT *(Fecal Occult Blood TEST) combined with Flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 yr

Double Contrast Barium Enema every 5 years.

Total Colon Test, including Colonoscopy every 10 years

Annual FOBT alone with out benefit of Flex Sigmoidoscopy is not the preferred method.

Epidemiological Research – The study of disease occurrence in populations, with the goal of determining the association of disease with risk factors to be avoided or preventive strategies to be encouraged.
Extra Mural Grants – Awards given to researchers and health professionals working in hospitals, universities and research institutions across the country who are not employees of the American Cancer Society.
Extra Mural Research – The peer to peer research program that national coordinates to award research grant to the most talented researchers.
F
G Gordon Klatt – Founder of Relay For Life. Started Relay For Life in Tacoma, Washington in 1985 by running around a track for 24 hours straight by himself. It was originally called the City of Destiny Classic.
Great American Low-Fat Pig-Out (GALPO) – Third Thursday in March. An American Cancer Soceity event to bring nutrition awareness and promote healthy eating. Local events are planned by unit boards to encourage participation and media coverage.
Great American Smokeout (GASO) – The third Thursday in November. American Cancer Soceity provides the opportunity for smokers to give up smoking for one day that may lead to the rest of their lives. Local events are planned by unit boards to encourage participation and media coverage.
H
Health Policy Research – Investigates the creation and effects of laws and public policies that affect people who are making health decisions related to cancer control. One of our health policy grantees is examining the association of campaign contributions from tobacco interests on the voting behavior of state legislators on tobacco issues.
Heart of Relay Award – A national award that highlights a best Relay practice in the following categories: Diversity, cancer control, advocacy, survivorship, volunteerism, and research.
Health Professionals – Physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, medical technologists, and others who are specifically educated, trained, and licensed to deal with matters relating to health.
Health Services Research – Also called research on access to care, deals with the ways people interface with health care delivery systems. It investigates barriers to health care and the differing, and often changing, needs of patients due to changes in the health care system.
I
In-Kind Sponsorship – A donation of services or products that the Relay would otherwise need to pay. In-kind sponsors may receive access to the event or marketing outlets based on the value of the sponsorship.
Intramural Grants – Research carried out by individuals employed by the American Cancer Society.
J
K
Kick-Off – An event that is held prior to the Relay to generate excitement by the host community and introduce registered Relay teams, Relay chairs and sponsors. A great party and celebration!!
L
Luminaria Donation – Each Relay sets a price for a luminaria donation. Luminaria can be purchased “in honor of” or “in memory of” a loved one touched by cancer. Luminaria donations do not count towards individual or team totals.
Luminaria Ceremony – A Relay ceremony that takes place at dusk where luminaria bags purchased “in honor of” or “in memory of” a loved one touched by cancer are lit. Special activities remembering and honoring those people may also occur.
Lobby Day – ACS advocates lobby legislators in Springfield and Washington D.C. annually to move cancer-related legislation in the forefront of the legislatures nationwide.
Look Good ...Feel Better – A partnership between the American Cancer Society and National Cosmetology Association. Volunteer cosmetologists offer complimentary beauty consultations for patients with cancer to help them Look Good and Feel Better.
Look Alike – Relay For Life is now the largest fund raising event in the country, therefore other groups may produce events that “look alike”. Report any look alike events to your ACS staff person.
M
Man To Man – A prostate cancer survivor support network offering patients and loved ones education and coping skills needed after a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer.
MAXX – The American Cancer Society donor management database and centralized donor receipting system.
N
National Cancer Information Center – Made possible, in part, by donations to Relay For Life. Located in Austin, Texas the NCIC is open 24/7/365 to answer calls from 1-800-ACS-2345. Skilled operators can answer any questions and even refer a caller back to their local office.
O
Overnight – In Relay terms is an event that starts before the sun goes down and ends after the sun comes up. This is a Relay standard. Most events last 24hours.
P
Per Capita – Divide the amount raised in a Relay Event by the population in your geographic region. Used for national fundraising awards.
Prevention – The ACS prevention guidelines for tobacco intervention education target children ages 9-18 years with smoke-free education on the dangers of tobacco use.For skin, children ages 9-18 years are targeted for sunscreen education and the importance of sun protective clothing and awareness on the hazards of UV rays.For nutrition, children ages 9-12 years are targeted for education on healthy foods and exercise for good health.The American Cancer Society also recommends moderate levels of physical activity at least 30 minutes a day for all men and women.
Psychological Research – The study of the emotional and social impact of cancer and its treatment on individuals, their families, and their caregivers.Example: How does one deal with the fatigue and sexual problems that come with cancer treatment? Do long term survivors still have problems related to their disease, for example learning disabilities or job discrimination?
Pre-Clinical Research – Is clinically relevant research that aims primarily at providing results that are intended to be applicable to prevention, diagnosis or treatment of human cancers, or the rehabilitation of the cancer patient, but are not yet ready for human use. An example would be testing of a new drug in mice, or using human tissue samples to search for new genes.
R
Reach to Recovery – A breast cancer support volunteer network offering women education and coping skills needed to deal with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer.
Relay Academy – A Local Relay training hosted by the individual Regions for Relay volunteers and staff.
Relayer – Anyone who participates, plans or volunteers at a Relay For Life.
Relay Brand – The signature purple and pink Relay For Life logo. It signifies that a Relay event meets all the standards and benefits the American Cancer Society.
Relay Business Unit – National staff team. They work with a national task force of volunteers, coordinate regional trainings, and negotiate national sponsors.
Relay Casual –Attire that deems wearing of Relay For Life Apparel or colors.
Relay Colors – All items with the Relay Logo should use the following guidelines: RELAY FOR LIFE – PMS 2607 purple. ACS logo – PMS 200 red, PMS 286 blue, PMS 186 – 30% screen. The logo can also be all white, all black or reversed out in black or white.
Relay Dollars – A motivational tool used to encourage participation by teams. Dollars can be given for attending meetings, participating in Relay activities. They are used at the Relay Store.
Relay For Life – The signature activity for the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life is not just a fundraiser, it is about a community that takes up the fight. All Relay For Life events incorporate the Relay Standards.
Relay Junkie – Anyone that can say yes to one or more of these scenarios; I own more than twelve items with the Relay Logo; I have attended Relay’s other than my own; I wake up in the middle of the night to write down an idea to make our Relay better; I invite everyone I meet to join a Relay; I can repeat the Virginia Beach video by heart.
Relay Rally – A one-hour rally used to introduce Relay to a new community or to recruit new committee members, team captains, sponsors to an existing event.
Relay Recommendations – Successful Relay For Life events incorporate these recommendations. Sponsorship, Team and/or individual incentives, expense ratio of 10 – 15%, event newsletter, team captain meetings, bank nights, Relay Rally and/or Relay Kick-off event.
Relay Sighting – Seeing gear or meeting a fellow Relayer in a setting other than your hometown. I.e.: On a volcano in Hawaii.
Relay Standards - All Relay For Life events who meet the following standards have the right to use the Relay For Life logo. Overnight, opening and closing ceremonies, luminaria ceremony, survivor activities, cancer control activities, team registration/commitment fee, graphic standards on logo and tobacco-free environment.
Relay Store – A part of Relay event and trainings. Participants and volunteers can purchase items with the Relay For Life logo to supplement their Relay wardrobe in order to create new Relay Junkies. Generally not an income source for a Relay, but a service for the participants and a method to market the Relay.
Relay Team – A group of not more than 10 – 12 individuals who have paid their commitment fee and raised more than $1,000.
Relay Tracking – A year round national newsletter that highlights Relay activities around the country.
Relay University – An annual Statewide training for Relay leaders and staff.
RETS – Relay Event Tracking System. A computer system developed to track all aspects of a Relay Event and interface with MAXX.
Road to Recovery – A volunteer transportation program offering cancer patients rides to and from cancer treatment.
S
Signature Weekend – Relay For Life has a signature weekend. It is the weekend after Mother’s Day every May.
Special Friends – A support program for children aged 7 – 15 affected by cancer. This program pairs two medical students to one youth cancer patient and the cancer patient’s siblings to offer friendship and support.
Sponsorship – A cash donation to a Relay in return for access to the event and its marketing outlets.
Surveillance Research – Surveying, or collecting and interpreting patterns of disease occurrence, deaths, risk behaviors, and cancer care; measuring trends over time, in specific geographical locations, with emphasis on age, sex, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.Example: More teenage girls are taking up smoking more than ever before—this will probably result in increased deaths from lung cancer in women 20 years from now. Surveillance Research supplies the data in Cancer Facts and Figures.
T
Target Populations – Demographic groups that have been identified to reduce the incidence of cancer.
Team Mentoring – Focused attention to retain and develop existing teams.
Team Minimum – Each Relay For Life team raises a minimum of $1,000 or $100 per team member.
Team Commitment Fee – A Relay standard. A fee charged to all Relay For Life teams to reserve their place in the event. The commitment fee helps cover the direct expenses of the event. The average commitment fee is $100.
Tell A Friend – Tell a Friend is a national, evidence based program that advocates the importance of mammography through peer to peer education. Volunteer callers are recruited and trained to provide early detection guidelines and information on the importance of an annual mammogram for women age 40 years and over. Callers contact their friends, family and/or community members to discuss mammography and local resource information.
Terry Zahn – The voice of Relay. Terry was the mastermind behind the Virginia Beach Relay For Life video.
U
Underwriting – An individual or a company agree to pay to cover a specific event expense. The bill is forwarded directly to the donor. The donor writes the check directly to the vendor and NOT to the American Cancer Society.
W
Workplace Giving – The American Cancer Society Workplace Giving Program. It is a payroll deduction program that enables employees to make contributions to any government-approved, 501C(3) charity they choose – including the United Way –at absolutely no cost to employee or the company. The American Cancer Society does not receive any funds from the United Way in Illinois.
Walk Talk – An Illinois Division Relay Newsletter that highlights Relay on the state level and local level. Can be edited for local Relay use as a communication tool for team captains and members, sponsors, committee members and volunteers.
www.cancer.org. – The ACS web page that offers cancer information and an opportunity to access other useful cancer resources.
www.cancersurvivorsnetwork.org. – ACS web resource for cancer survivors and loved ones. Also available via telephone (toll free) at 800- HOPE.
Y
Youth Rallies – Usually held on the Great American Smokeout. Unit Boards develop programs aimed at keeping youth from starting to smoke.
Z

Active for Life Challenge

2005-12-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

Active for Life Relay Challenge is a way to prepare yourself for Relay for Life by starting a walking program 12 weeks prior to your Relay.
All team captains are requested to recruit their team members to join the Active for Life Relay Challenge!
In a nutshell, Relay Challenge will

Help your friends, family and team members reduce their risk of chronic diseases, like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes

Establish walking as a way to relax, relieve stress, boost your energy level and improve immune function by being Active for Life

To get started with the Active For Life challenge, click here to download all of the information and materials needed. If your Relay does not yet participate in this, talk to your chairman.

Welcome!

2005-12-05T19:06:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to RelayBuddy! I will be posting helpful information for Relay For Life that I obtain through fellow team captains and committee members. This blog is meant to benefit everybody, from team members to team captains to committee members.

Feel free to post any comments or ideas that may help others. Questions are also welcome, because if I don't know the answer, I'm sure somebody does.