This is the first of what will surely be many blog posts during the coming months about Relay for Life (RFL). For those of you familiar with the RFL, you can skim over the following info as it is mostly introduction, but near the end will be some info regarding team affiliation.
Relay For Life is an event that is held out in that Real World thing that people keep telling me about and has been carried in world, giving people who would otherwise not be involved, or cannot be involved out in the real world a chance to participate. It is a major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Despite the name, this charity is now global, with a presence in over 100 countries.
Relay events are marathon walks (or runs) that span a designated number of hours, often 18-24. There are special laps, usually leading off with cancer survivors (by definition anyone with cancer or who has beaten it) doing a lap by themselves with no one else on the track. Everyone else stands by and cheers. Donations in the real world come in form of lap sponsorships and other donations.
The RFL season in SL is lengthy. The official kickoff was this morning and the grand marathon walk event is in July. You will likely get sick of the constant events, the omnipresence of donation kiosks, the pressure to constantly donate. I urge you, in this turbulent economy to keep track of your budget, and remember that even 10L is a good donation, it all adds up to amazing totals. Last year we raised just over 300,000 USD and this year's goal is even higher.
Consider a donation of time if you cannot spare lindens. Many areas need volunteers to assist in moving things along. As co-chair for the Design Committee, I'll be helping round up all the various build crews needed to pull off a 37 region event and beyond that I can help route you to other committees that need all manner of assistance or your created donations for auctions and so on.
As Design Co-Chair, I cannot officially belong to any team. However, I feel that SkyBeam as a whole should have a unified team affiliation for anyone who does not already belong to a team. Please rest assured I would never ask you to abandon past team affiliation. For those who do not have a team to call your own, our own Vessus Candour (resident of SkyBeam and designer of our Community Center building) has started a team, the Pink Panthurs, and I have asked Vessus to take SkyBeam under her wing and utilize the resource we are to help promote RFL, with events, with kiosks, whatever is needed.
Remember, I ask nothing but what you can afford to give, in time, lindens or sanity. At no time do I want anyone here to feel that they are being asked for more than they can give. No one will think less of anyone for lack of participation or donations.
I relay for my mother, who passed to pancreatic cancer, and for my children so that maybe they can face a future where cancer, in its various forms, has a cure. I speak to almost no one who hasn't had some brush with this awful disease. If you do nothing but show up at the main event and walk the track just once in remembrance and to show your support of the fight, that is awesome.
Hugs,
Char