American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Second Life Marks Milestone Year in Virtual World

Signature Fundraising Event to Celebrate “One World…One Hope”


ATLANTA – July 8, 2009 – Celebrating its fifth year in the virtual world, the 2009 American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Second Life is set for July 18-19 as avatars representing cancer survivors, caregivers, their families and the millions of passionate supporters gather virtually to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and join the American Cancer Society in fighting for every birthday, threatened by every cancer in every community.
This year’s virtual world event is expected to attract in excess of 3,000 participants as more than 125 teams unite toward reaching a fundraising goal of $250,000. In 2008, Relay For Life of Second Life raised $215,000 – surpassing its total for the previous three years, combined.
Simultaneously, the real-world American Cancer Society Relay For Life is in the midst of its 25^th birthday year, as the world’s most successful nonprofit fundraising special event brings together more than 3.5 million people across the United States and 20 other countries to raise funds to embolden the American Cancer Society’s fight for every birthday, threatened by every cancer in every community.
The 2009 Relay For Life of Second Life celebrates “One World…One Hope,” thematic of the Society’s global mission and of the scope of Relay participation in its real and virtual world environments.
Second Life is an online, three-dimensional virtual world imagined and created by its residents, who, within its confines, enjoy almost unlimited freedom in engaging in everyday life much as they would in the real world.
During this year’s registration rally in February, 40 teams pledged their support for the event and signaled the largest, single-day team registration in Relay For Life of Second Life history.
In 2009, for the first time, virtual world Relay participants have engaged in fundraising outside the event’s usual summer timeframe, generating more volunteers, forming more first-time teams and raising additional funds from new communities within the Second Life grid.
Relay For Life of Second Life is emphasizing participation among cancer survivors who are active within the virtual world. Already this year, more than 100 survivors have stepped forward to pledge their support for the American Cancer Society and its impact on their individual battles with cancer.
“The engagement of these committed, virtual world volunteers continues to grow each year and demonstrates the enormous impact they have within the Second Life community and with encouraging others to join the American Cancer Society’s mission to help save lives and create a world with more birthdays,” said Scott P. Bennett, Society national vice president, marketing. “Virtual world Relay participants, just like those in the real world, are passionate about their involvement, and they powerfully reflect Relay’s worldwide reach.”
Relay For Life of Second Life began in 2005, when American Cancer Society volunteers in the Second Life community approached Society staff about creating a Relay For Life event in the virtual world. The result of this collaboration is a cyberspace community gathering in which participants, represented by avatars, continuously navigate a custom-built track, encompassing a 480-acre virtual park, to raise money to fight cancer.
In 2007, the Society created a virtual headquarters in the Second Life community to provide the same, round-the-clock cancer information and services that the organization delivers in the real world. The Second Life headquarters continues to develop opportunities to serve the needs of survivors, caregivers and families.
In 2008, General Electric joined as the first corporate sponsor of the Relay For Life of Second Life, and GE continues its commitment in 2009.
In the real world, Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that convenes millions of people in support of the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. Relay in the real world traces its roots to 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington, colorectal surgeon, circled a track for 24 hours to raise money for the Society.
During real world Relay events, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds and parks and take turns walking and/or running laps while aiming to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Relay For Life events, which are held in more than 5,000 communities, have, since their beginning, combined to raise more than $3 billion to help the Society accelerate the progress against cancer.
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing nearly $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Changing Shape for RFL

People have done all sorts of things for Relay for Life fundraising. But how about wearing an avatar you’re not quite accustomed to for a while?

A week ago on Tuesday June 30 at Hope Gardens in the Colorado sim, there was a small party for RFL. Among the mostly furred audience was a man in a normal human av, Daaneth Kivioq, whom had promised to “go furry” for a week if 10,000 Lindens were raised at the RFL stand. Despite the small number present, the amount was soon raised, and we reached the goal for Daaneth to “bid me furry!” And so, he slowly changed to a feline avatar, provided by Lomgren Smalls. His looks didn’t deter the only normal human lady at the party, and the pair danced for a while to the DJ’s music.

A week later on the evening of Monday July 6, I heard that something similar would be going on at a club called the Lilly Pad 2. Col Soulstar, a fox, announced he would change his furry av to a normal human avie one for the night if enough cash was raised. So when the party started, he hopped on the dancepole and shook his tail for the ladies. And as the cash came in, Col detached various parts of his av, saving the tail and head for last, “Every bit of cash means another piece of me goes.”

Every few minutes, he would enthusiastically call out for more donations for RFL. The little club soon got a big crowd, and before long, the 1000 L was reached for him to lose the tail, and at 1200 L he went normal human for the night, “Man, I feel weird.” Chatting with Col later, he told me the fundraising went, “pretty good, 2330 for RFL, about 3500 total counting direct to the kiosk donations.”

When it comes to RFL, some are ready to make a change into the unfamiliar.

Bixyl Shuftan.

RELAY-STOCK '09 ! ! ! JULY 10-11-12 ! ! ! BOGEY'S CLUB, RIVENDELL

In SecondLife, the Relay For Life season will draw to an end the third week of July, and we wanted to put together an event that would be worthy of the closing of an amazing cause that is supported grid-wide. To realize that goal, and to generate a huge final push towards shattering this year's goal, we bring you the First Annual RELAY-STOCK event!

The Spirit Chasers RFL team is proud to present "RELAY-STOCK '09" to benefit Relay for Life on July 10th, 11th, and 12th - An entire weekend filled with live music from some of the best performers SL has to offer! In addition, a superb SL-Musician Photo Exhibit will be available on the premises, courtesy of "Memories by Mystique" studios.

Come and indulge yourself with a whole weekend of your favorite musicians, browse the picture gallery of SL entertainers, have fun, and help us make the end of the push for '09 a Grand Success!!

The line-up of SL performers who have agreed to donate an hour of their time is truly amazing! Look who we have for you...

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FRIDAY, JULY 10
4pm Shantu Selene
5pm Anightwing Akina
6pm Pam and Bill Havercamp
7pm Niles Compton

SATURDAY, JULY 11
7am Lumino-scorp w/ special guest 2 hours
9am Sharie Atlass
10am Bum Baily
11am Denjam Ghost
Noon JayP Burnstein
1pm LabGraal
2pm LabGraal
3pm RockPianoman Pienaar
4pm RastaMan Sorbet
5pm Grateful Stryker
6pm Kim Seifert
7pm Max Kleene
8pm Sojurn Rossini

SUNDAY, JULY 12
9am Quinton Whitman
10am Clairede Dirval
11am Gregg Huet
Noon Edward Kyomoon
1pm Bara Jonson
2pm Damian Carbenell
3pm Maxx Sabretooth
4pm RockPianoman Pienaar
5pm Shaye Dezno
6pm Haruno Watanabe
7pm Patrick LaSalle

SPECIAL THANKS
* The Spirit Chasers RFL Team.
* All Participating Performers.
* The Caliber Sim courtesy of Nyre Gray and Aurelius Draken.
* Photo Exhibit courtesy of Mystique Sassoon of "Memories by Mystique" Studios.
* Gavin MacKay for his direction and assistance.
* And Nevar Lobo and Amethyst Starostin for having the heart, vision, energy and effort to make this event happen. - and who truly make a difference.
* But without you, all this would be for naught. So from Us to You, a heartfelt and loving THANK YOU for all YOU do to support RFL in SL.

RFL at SL6B

The American Cancer Society is proud to help celebrate Second Life's 6th Birthday.

The Society's site, designed by Emily Schaf, is located in SL6B Titan, is entitled The Future of Charity in Virtual Worlds is NOW!

While the main focus is on Relay For Life of Second Life, the site also features samples of ACS programs, such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, International Relay For Life, and appropriately the More Birthdays campaign.

The most prominent feature is a brand new video by MarkTwain White describing the role of the American Cancer Society in Second Life.

As 125 teams and more than 2000 volunteers prepare for the 5th Annual Relay For Life (to be held this year on July 18&19th) it is fairly obvious that the Amercian Cancer Society is the forerunner in Charity and Fundraising in Virtual worlds… that the Future of Virtual Worlds is NOW

http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL6B%20Titan/65/142/24

What is Relay for Life?

Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. It has been going for 25 years and has been active, and continually growing, in Second Life for five years.

What is Relay for Life of Second Life?

Relay for Life of Second Life is a fun-filled overnight event that unites Second Life individuals throughout the virtual world AND the real world. In the months leading up to Relay, teams hold events and sell original items to raise money for the cause. In 2008, the Relay for Life of Second Life raised over $200,000 US dollars. In 2009, we’ve already beaten that total, a month out from Relay, and Event Chair Fayandria Foley has raised the bar to $250,000 by the time Relay itself takes place.

Relay for Life Teams form in February and March and they fundraise by holding events in Second Life from March through July. It started on March 14 at the 2009 Relay for Life of Second Life Kick Off Party. And it all culminates with the Official Relay for Life overnight Relay on July 18-19, 2009. Team members build and gather at their team campsites, walk the Relay for Life of Second Life track, enjoy live music, participate in fun events, and explore the many Relay sims as the event runs overnight and into the next morning.

Why is Relay for Life international?

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Cancer knows no boundaries. It is increasing as a leading killer globally, especially in the developing world. Because cancer is a global health problem, this mission extends around the world.

History of International Relay for Life (IRFL)

In 1996, in response to requests from international cancer organizations, the Society extended the first license for International Relay to Cancer Research UK. The successful adoption of this unique event in the United Kingdom has led to a formal International Relay program providing training and technical assistance to cancer organizations world wide.

Today, the American Cancer Society has partnered with more than 23 cancer organizations globally to license and support Relay For Life programs in other countries. Relay has proven especially important to countries at the beginning stages of educating the public and even the health care communities about this deadly and often preventable disease.

Where do the funds raised through IRFL go?

In each Relay Country, the funds are raised in support of the licensed organization’s own cancer control programs, services and research. These organizations also agree to contribute a percentage of gross income from Relay to the Global Cancer Fund of the American Cancer Society which supports cancer control programs in developing countries that would not otherwise be possible.

Where Are Relays Held Throughout the World?

Relays For Life events were held in 20 countries in 2008 and will be held in 21 countries in 2009. Country names (and year of their launch of Relay) are listed below:

Australia (1999)

Brazil (2006)

Canada (1999)

Denmark (2006)

France (2006)

Germany (2005)

Guatemala (2004)

Honduras (2004)

Jamaica (2004)

Japan (2007)

Luxembourg (2006)

Malaysia (2005)

the Netherlands (2006)

New Zealand (2001)

Philippines (2004)

Portugal (2005)

South Africa (2005)

Taiwan (2004)

United Kingdom (1996)

United States (1985)

Sources

International Relay for Life

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PAR/Content/PAR_1_3_International_Relay_For_Life.asp

ACS International Marketing Brochure:

http://www.cancer.org/downloads/AA/International_MarketingBrochureIRFL.pdf

For current International Relay dates visit: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/par/content/PAR_1_3x_International_Relay_For_Life_Dates.asp

For current International Relay partners visit: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/inctp

_________________________________________________________________________

For more information please contact one of the following people: Poppy Zabelin, RFL International Relations Chair – poppy_zabelin@yahoo.co.uk; or Catrine Dreamscape, RFL Public Relations Chair - bstg2001@live.com

The first lap of Relay for Life of Second Life (July 18-19)

The first lap of Relay for Life of Second Life (July 18-19) honors cancer survivors and caregivers from around the world.

Survivors and caregivers walk the first lap to put a face to the battle against cancer. They've been on the "front lines" in a battle on cancer, and are here to tell their story.

With arless than a month until Relay for Life of Second Life, the Survivor/Caregiver Committee has opened registration for the first lap.

For more information on Relay for Life of Second Life, visit relayforlife.org/secondlife.

To register for the 1st lap, please go to that site and click on "Survivor & Caregiver 1st Lap Registration".

Any questions about the first lap or the Survivor/Caregiver Committee, please email dwendooley@gmail.com

We would also like your picture, but we don't have much time left. Harper Montgomery Needs your Pictures! Profile, Real Life…doesn't matter! Send them inworld or to Harperleemontgomery@gmail.com.

The following are the guidelines.

Guidelines for Survivor Photos

1. Must be you. it doesnt matter if its sl you or rl you or pencil drawn you..its just how you would like yoursel represented on the wall for all to see. We do not attatch names to the photos..so please do not send me a picture of your sl mazerati or a plant..unless of course..you choose to wander the sl realm as a ficus tree..then of course..feel free to send me your leafy loveliness. Also..please be sure that the pictures you send me for posting on the wall are P.G. This means no naughty bits or text included. Any photo deemed inappropriate will not be posted on the Survivor Wall.

2. Title the picture "Your Name--Survivor"

for example..mine would say:

Harper Montgomery--Survivor

Relay for Life Avatars

Planning on giving some Lindens to Relay for Life, but you’ve been thinking of getting a new avie? Well, why not do both? Some builders have put items up for sale for charity, with all proceeds going to RFL. Among these are some avatars made by various creators.

For feline fans, there are the “Kitties for a Cure.” Made by Lost Furest, there are five varieties, each with a slightly different look of varying coverage between white and purple: Charity, Courage, Hope, Love, and Strength. Misery Moonlight of Lost Furest explained (with an in-character stammer) she and others in the avatar maker have been involved with Relay for Life “in many ways over the past few years, a .. and this year w ... we wanted to do more. S ... sos we formed Paws With A Cause, a ... and Cheetah (Kitty) was wanting to show how much she supported the Relay for Life. A ... and since the Kristmas Kitties was such a huge success, she wanted to make special Limited Edition Kitties for the RFL.”

Why five avatars? “T ... that was her idea. ^.^ S .. she started off with one a .. and the ideas kept flowing. S ... sos she kept creating. (giggle) S ... sometimes is very hard to stop her. C ... Cheetah is (very) generous, s ... she likes to gives her all to the causes s ... she believes in.” She went on to say the avatars became a group project at their insistence, “W ... we all added a lil something to them all. A ... all the staff wanted to be involved in the making o ... of these.” Cheetah Kitty had made a purple cheetah av for last year’s RFL, and had recently also worked on an “Alley Cat,” of which the profits went to find homes for pets rescued from animal shelters.

The “Kitties for a Cure” come with both male and female, and have two sets of collars and belts. They have an Ear HUD with controls the positions of the ears, and a Face HUD which allows the option to have the mouth move when talking, stick out or put back the tongue, or lower the eyelids. You can also change the color of the irises and the size of the pupils.

Besides The Lost Furest’ at (180, 30, 27), the Kitties for a Cure can be found at Rocket City. They cost 1000L.

* * * * *

Lomgren Smalls has done plenty of custom work. But until now, he never sold avatars en-mass. With Relay for Life, he created “Lom Tech” with the purpose of selling avatars for fundraising. But not just any avatar.

For those not in the know, Lomgren has been for quite some time known for his six-inch high feline avatar, about as small as one can get and still move one’s parts. For Relay for Life, Lomgren has made available avatars based on his.

The Lom-Tech avatar is six inches in height, an attachment changing the default camera view lower to the ground to match the shorter stature. There are two types available, male and female in separate vendors. The hair, irises, and fur colors can all be changed for one’s own individual look. The avatar wears a pinkish suit with a cancer ribbon and a RFL badge, in honor of Relay for Life. The avatar can blink it’s eyes, turn it’s head, walk, make typing motions while the user is “speaking,” and sit down. There is also a script available, controlled by a notecard (can edit), for interactions (for those wishing to pet the micro, etc.).

The Lom-Tech avatar is available at the RFL shop at Celerio (192, 75, 30), The Passionate Redheads’ RFL Shop at Sacre Bleu (164, 134, 25), and Club Cutlass at Sunweaver Air. It costs 1000L.

* * * * *

Felines are not the only kind of avatar with a Relay for Life version. There is also a “Pink Coon” up for sale. It is made by Prim Anbinder of Digital Wilderness. Both male and female are included in the purchase.

“I've been interested in avatar design a while,” Prim explained, “and have been a resident of Second Life for quite some time. Artistic Fimicoloud had joined about the same time. We were good friends, and she taught me all about Relay. I miss her dearly. She was a very good friend of mine there. To honor her, I have decided to make a pink version of any avatar I produce to benefit the Relay and her team. As you can probably tell by looking at the vendor, it is the only one I have to sell. .... I am working on another avatar, but do not have a release date for it. ... While It is a furry avatar and I do know there are teams of furries dedicated to the cause, I have joined Passionate Redheads as it was the team Artistic Fimicoloud had Relayed for, so any sales of it credit her team.

“The avatar is a pink raccoon. ... It’s got blink scripts and color change eyes. ... Also I would like to provide credit to Dusk Griswold for helping me with this project. She provided me some land to work on where I could get a stable build and not have to worry about the annoyances of working in a sandbox.”

The Digital Wilderness Pink Coon is available at the RFL shop at Sacre Bleu (164, 134, 25) and the interior store of Club Cutlass at Sunweaver Air (43, 112, 133).


“Till a cure can be found one day, we will Relay.”


Bixyl Shuftan