Relay For Life TV Spot (U.S.)

When we walk together, we're bigger than cancer.  Watch the 2012 Relay For Life TV Spot (began airing in the U.S. on February 13).  How fitting that this spot begins airing 2 days before we open Team Registration for the 2012 Relay For Life of Second Life.

2012 Kickoff Press Release

Relay For Life Second Life 2012 - It is Time For a Cure!

Time For A Cure - the logo for the RFL of SL 2012

We’re delighted to share the following Press Release from the Second Life Relay For Life:

It’s February! Relay For Life® of Second Life® is back and it is Time For A Cure! 

Teams’ registration for the eighth annual Relay For Life of Second Life opens on February 15 in preparation for fundraising from March to July, culminating in a 24-hour walk around a virtual track filled with grand sights and heart-warming events. 

MamaP Beerbaum, the RFL of SL 2012 Event Chair, said: "The 2012 Relay For Life of Second Life Committee has been hard at work and we are ready to go!!  The many volunteers who make up the committee have been planning for months to make sure the 2012 Relay is nothing short of amazing.  Please join us as we get ready to Kick-Off our new season on March 10th!  Until there is a cure, we Relay!"

In a few weeks, you will see the new logo rezzing across the grid alongside the familiar fundraising kiosks. This year’s theme is a Time For A Cure! 

RFL Welcome Center  – photograph by IshtarAngel Micheline

After 16 weeks of fun and fundraising, the teams will build campsites for the main event which will take place on July 14-15. Team members, volunteers and members of the SL community will walk a track for 24 hours to Celebrate survivorship, Remember those we have lost, and Fight Back to save lives by making a personal pledge to fight cancer.

To set up a team, please go to the website www.relayforlife.org/secondlife after teams’ registration opens on February 15. For more information about setting up or joining a team, IM or email one of the Teams Chairs Calumn Tomsen (cally.tomsen@googlemail.com) or PrettyKitty Gumbo (prettykittygumbo@gmail.com).

 Volunteers and teams are at the heart of the Relay For Life  – photograph by Lyr Lobo

The 2012 RFL of SL Committee consists of:

Event Chair – MamaP Beerbaum (mamapbeerbaum@gmail.com)
Event Co-Chairs – Dwen Dooley (dwendooley@gmail.com) and Nikki Mathieson (nikkimathieson@gmail.com)

Teams and Mentors Area Chairs – Calumn Tomsen and PrettyKitty Gumbo

Sponsorship Area Chair – Tayzia Abbatoir
Public Relations and Marketing Area Chair – Lyr Lobo
Special Events Area Chair – APinkSwan Beauchamp and Danielluh Ashton

Event Day Area Chairs – Bailey Dazy and Elise Capalini
Sim and Track Design Area Chairs – Charlene Trudeau and Amethyst Startosin 

Technology and Security Area Chair – JB Hancroft
American Cancer Society representative in Second Life – Stingray9798 Raymaker

RFL of SL 2012 Welcome Volunteers' Party - photograph by Lyr Lobo

Please note these key dates:

Feb 15, 2012 -- Teams’ registration opens!
March 10, 2012 -- Kick-off Celebration and start of fundraising
March 10-22, 2012 -- Fashion for Life

March 31-April 1, 2012 -- Mardi Gras & Street Faire (Teams R Us Event)
April 21-29, 2012 -- Fantasy Faire
May 4-5, 2012 -- May Day Celebration (Teams R Us Event)

May 12-13, 2012 -- Halfway There Fair

May 12-20, 2012 -- Paint SL Purple

May 14-19, 2012 -- Survivor/Caregiver Art Show and Silent Auction
May 20, 2012 --  National Cancer Survivors Day - Survivor/Caregiver Live Art Auction

May 19-28, 2012 -- Home & Garden Expo (includes Teams R Us @ the Expo)

June 3, 2012 -- National Cancer Survivors Day

June 22-24, 2012 -- Back to the 50s Weekend (Teams R US)
July 14-15, 2012 -- RELAY WEEKEND! 

To keep up to date, please join our Relay For Life Volunteers group in Second Life, follow us on http://twitter.com/RelayForLife_SL and http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/ or select like for our Facebook page Relay For Life of Second Life. ______________________________________________________________________­­­­­­­­

About Relay For Life of Second Life

Relay For Life® is the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is an annual activity that takes place in Second Life® in July each year. Volunteers form or join teams to have fun while fundraising and raising awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track, just like in a real world Relay. The main RFL of SL track event this year will take place on July 14-15. We will walk a virtual track for 24 hours, just like in a real world Relay For Life. Team members build and gather at their team campsites, enjoy live music, participate in fun events, and explore the many Relay sims and the incredible builds by some of Second Life’s top designers, as the event runs overnight and into the next morning. 

 Campsite at RFL of SL 2011: Circle of Life – photograph by Lyr Lobo

In 2011 Relay For Life of Second Life attracted more than 140 teams with participants from over 96 countries, held over 300 team fundraising events between March and July, and raised over US $375,000 (that’s REAL US dollars) for cancer research and education. The funds raised go to research, advocacy, patient services and programs, with 12-15% going to international projects. Similar to the real world, RFL of SL is an international event. 

For further background information, visit: 

 https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life

The 2011 Christmas Expo

~ For Immediate Release ~

The 2011 Christmas Expo
December 3rd-18th, 2011

Marking its 1st year in SL, The 2011 Christmas Expo is coming to town! In support of Relay For Life of Second Life and the American Cancer Society, the Christmas Expo will open on December 3rd, 2011 at 9am slt and will close on December 18th at 9pm slt.

A Christmas wonderland, spanning four SL regions, will set the scene for guests and shoppers, vendors and entertainers. SL residents will be able to find Christmas gifts, spend a romantic evening in the Holiday Ballroom with a sweetheart, or visit Santa and have pictures taken.

Residents can attend one of the many events:

SL Idol - An annual singing competition that will take place every year at The Christmas Expo, this contest will involve rounds of performances by some of SL’s great musicians.

The Avi Choice Awards - The Avi Choice Awards ~ the annual awards presentation recognizing the people and talent behind SL’s amazing creations, completely chosen and voted on by SL residents.

Amazing Race - Two member teams will race across the SL grid collecting specific hunt items, completing challenges and competing to be the last team standing.

Christmas Parties - Visitors can schedule their Christmas Parties at Expo. DJs can be booked or bring your own and the scenery has already been set for a fabulous and festive Holiday party.

The Breedables Pet Championship - hosted this year by the Breeder's Burough!

Auction/Raffle - Many amazing items will be available for auction and raffle from some of SL's best creators. 100% of the proceeds from the Expo's auctions and raffles will go to Relay For Life of Second Life.

Shopping - In addition to enjoying the many events, activities and features of the Christmas Expo, visitors can get a head start on their Christmas shopping at the more than 70 shops.

Live Music/DJ - Entertainment will feature many of SL's top performers, singers, djs, and hosts throughtout the Expo. See the website for dates and times.

Christmas Expo 2011's design and construction is generously provided by SL’s incredible builder, Kayle Matzerath of Garden of Dreams. Kayle’s talent brings amazing dream-like settings to the virtual world and he is bringing his style and talent to Christmas Expo. Kayle was the Relay For Life Event Day 2011 Designer Sim Award winner, as well. Kayle's holiday builds will provide excellent photo ops for those memory-making photos.

Map search any of the following regions, beginning December 3rd and teleport in to a Winter Wonderland of Holiday Delight!
Frosty
Silver Bells
Poinsettia
Snowflake

Website: http://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/

Friend us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SLs-Christmas-Expo/282062608486247

For more information, contact:

Joonie Jatho
Public Relations Coordinator

Nikki Mathieson
Christmas Expo Coordinator

2011 Christmas Expo

The 2011 Christmas Expo
December 3rd-18th, 2011

Marking it’s 1st year in SL, The Christmas Expo is coming to town! Coordinated by the crew who brings The Home & Garden Expo and Back to the 50's Weekend to Secondlife, with many volunteers from SL’s RFL Volunteer group, this Expo will feature some new and fun special events, an estimated 100 vendors and amazing Holiday splendor to 4 regions.

A Christmas Wonderland will set the scene for guests and shoppers, vendors and entertainers. Visit this site to learn more about the Avi Choice Awards, SL Idol, the Amazing Race and more fun and exciting things happening at the SL Christmas Expo. http://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com

The Christmas Expo ~ 4 Regions ~ 2 Weeks ~ in Support of Relay For Life!

For more information please contact Nikki Mathieson, Christmas Expo Coordinator

The Avi Choice Awards at the Christmas Expo - December 10, 2011 4-6pm

The Avi Choice Awards ~ the annual awards presentation recognizing the people and talent of SL’s amazing creations, completely chosen and voted on by SL residents.

NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW
at http://slchristmasexpo.wordpress.com/avi-choice-awards until 9am October 31st, then narrowed down to most nominated in each category and set up for voting to begin on Nov. 1st

Categories will include:
FAVORITE HOME BUILDER
FAVORITE GARDEN/LANDSCAPE STORE
FAVORITE BREEDABLE
FAVORITE HAIR DESIGNER
FAVORITE WOMEN'S APPAREL
FAVORITE SKIN DESIGNER
FAVORITE MALE AO CREATOR
FAVORITE DANCE ANIMATIONS CREATOR
FAVORITE SL SPORTING EVENT
FAVORITE SL RADIO STATION
FAVORITE LIVE MUSIC VENUE
FAVORITE ROCK CLUB
FAVORITE FEMALE MUSICIAN
FAVORITE SL MUSICIAL GROUP
FAVORITE POP SINGER
FAVORITE FURNITURE CREATOR
FAVORITE HOLIDAY STORE
FAVORITE SHOES
FAVORITE MENS APPAREL
FAVORITE KIDS APPAREL
FAVORITE JEWELRY STORE
FAVORITE FEMALE AO CREATOR
FAVORITE SHOPPING REGION
FAVORITE MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER OR PERIODICAL
FAVORITE SL TV SHOW
FAVORITE FORMAL VENUE
FAVORITE MALE MUSICIAN
FAVORITE SINGING DUO
FAVORITE ROCK SINGER
FAVORITE COUNTRY SINGER

Winners will be announced during the Avi Choice Awards Show held at The Christmas Expo, in the Silent Night Lodge, 4p-6p, on December 10th. Best of luck to all and we'll see you at the Expo!!

For questions or more information, please contact Shayla Juran, Avi Choice Awards Coordinator.

Final award winners

A host of awards were presented at the Wrap-Up Party yesterday, starting with the 'Spontaneous and Fun' awards presented by Awards Co-Chair Daten Thielt.



The 'it's a bird..? it's a plane? NO it's uhhh batman.. saving the day ..' Award goes to Frank Battitude, nominated by Jill Caldera who said, 'We have to nominate Batman, he really did make an effort to come and stop to see people and interact, sign autographs and even gave gifts out to some of our team members!'

The 'WHOA that's some BIG hair.. and he's still standing up straight' Award goes to: Fuzzball Ortega and the largest hair ever seen in Relay

The 'Lizzy Borden Award .. alias AXE Award .. alias The "Golden Hatchet' .. goes to The one and Only Lovely Miss A PinkSwan Beauchamp for her remarkable Passion in achieving Note Cards receiving and .. Award Distributions

The 'King of Purple Boot Scootin boogeying on the track' Award goes to: Trader1 Whiplash and his signature purple boots.. (we're still waiting for that boogeying tho)

The Arborist of Relay Award goes to Piedras Chama. Ember Farina nominated Piedras with these words, 'Pie is the amazing man behind so many of the trees synonymous with RFL in SL, including the survivors trees and this year's wonderful "Seasons of Hope" trees. (seen lining the track this year and the Relay entry sim)'

The '.. aHA .. so he DOES know how to make glue' Award goes to: Stingray9798 Raymaker. nuff said

This year's SPONTANEOUS '... I think I can .. I think I can.. I think I can' Award goes, with the greatest respect, gratitude and applause, to RacerX Gullwing and his amazing Snail Racers!

Last but certainly not least, Daten said, 'We'd like to present a special award to a man who has been a part of SL Relay For Life for seven years. well... Let me read the nomination by Leor Tobias to you to explain...

'Leor Tobias says, "After seven years of Relaying, he keeps coming back for more. He's seen Relay for Life grow from a small gathering of friends to the monumental achievement it is today. Along the way he has inspired others to take up the cause, and always pitched in a hand whenever it was needed.

"He's captained several teams, worked on several teams and quietly done more than his part.

"He has never won an award for his builds, for his fund raising, for wearing a cheerleader's outfit ((which he did this year after a challenge was met)), or for orchestrating wild and crazy events, but I would love to nominate him... because it was never about the money, or the effort, or the time, it was always about the joy of doing something in Second Life that was honorable and noble and real. He's inspired me as he has so many others. Please consider giving him a special award. Thank you."

'So, on behalf of Leor and the rest of us.. I’d like to present the 'spontaneous and special Relay Honor Award 2011' to David Valentino.

and now.. for this years.. FUNDRAISING awards....

After Relay weekend some of the teams continued to fundraise and raised their fundraising club levels. The following teams moved up in fundraising standings.

Synthetic Rose went to Bronze
Roma Pro Vita, rose to Silver
Walking Tall for a Cure moved up to Silver
Purple Tears went to Silver
Celtic Amazon Warriors for Life up to Silver
DarkStar rose up to Gold
Marga-Relay-ville went to Gold
Riders for a Cure went to Gold
JLU Caped Crusaders went to Gold
Giant Snail Relay increased to Gold
Surreal For Life went up to Gold
Eternal Beacon moved up to Platinum
Touched By Angels rose to Platinum
The Fringe went to Platinum
Aether Chrononauts went to Sapphire
Harmony of Hope went to Sapphire
Inspired Dreamwalkers went to Sapphire

and the
Goreans in the Relay for Life went to Ruby

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE TEAMS AND THEIR SUCCESSFUL FINISH IN THIS YEARS FUNDRAISING CLUB.

The top individual convio fundraising award is awarded to the individual who raised the most via the Convio (RFL) website (which is outside of SL, and are in US dollar donations) and the winners are:

in 3rd place - Argo Recreant
in 2nd place - Keera Woyseck
and in first place the winner is: Blynn Heron

The top TEAM convio fundraising award is awarded to the teams who raised the most via the Convio (RFL) website (which is outside of SL, and are in US dollar donations)
and the winners are:

in 3rd place the winners are- Relay for Hope
in 2nd place the winners are - Eternal Beacon
and in first place winners are: Circle of Life

The top teams inworld fundraising award is awarded to the teams who raised the most lindens IN SL
and the winners are:

in 3rd place - with 1,602,750 lindens raised : Relay For Hope

in 2nd place - with 3,215,395 lindens raised: Goreans in the Relay For Life

and in first place with 6,553,377 lindens raised: Friends Fighting Cancer

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS.. and Cheers to all teams on a successful season. Well done!

The microphone then passed to Dwen Dooley who presented the following 'EBBY' Awards:

The 'Driving Force' Award... Presented to the individual who not only kept the event board drinking game going ... but also kept the Event Board going by reminding teams to utilize and display the Event Boards. Also assisted other teams with Event Board questions.. Fuzzball Ortega

The 'Exploding Inbox' Award is awarded to the individual whose team had the most events in the inbox, not just because they had the most events, but also because they were a regular user of the inbox (and waste basket) processes to ensure timely and accurate Event Board displayers .. KJ KIranov

The 'Longevity' Award: Goes to those individuals who rezzed an event board displayer as early as possible, and kept it rezzed throughout the season .. Baldi McMillan

And finally the 'That's the Spirit' Award goes to the individuals who kept the most Event Board Displayers rezzed throughout the Relay season .. Fuzzball Ortega

Last year's 'Spirit of Relay' individual award winner, Ember Farina, then announced this year's winner.

'The Individual Spirit of Relay is awarded to the individual that embodies the 'Spirit of the Relay' and includes an overall performance from Kick Off to Relay Day. This award takes into consideration the 'spirit' of the individual, how they embraced Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society Mission, and the enthusiasm displayed. Also considered is their participation in Relay activities, as a whole, not only in their own team’s, but other team’s events, as well' said Ember.

'For the last six years this year’s recipient has been Relaying in SL. Regardless of Team affliation, anyone who has needed assistance with Kiosks, Vendors, or building has found a helping hand.

'This year, just as Relay was kicking into high gear, he suffered a debilitating stroke. His motivation for a fast recovery was actually Relay for Life! He worried so much about his team that he came back inworld before he could even read or type; they all used voice to communicate with him to ensure that the team would keep moving forward.

'He’s determined, and despite all odds, always involved in anything that has to do with Relay, from planning to end, always there to help others regardless of other affiliations.

'I’m pleased to announce the 2011 individual Spirit of Relay – Daaneth Kivioq

Then finally, Nevar Lobo who captained last year's winner announced the 'Spirit of Relay' team Awards:

3rd Place - Team Caledon
2nd Place - Steelhead Salmons
1st Place - Team OD

Congratulations to all!

Photograph by IshtarAngel Micheline

PrimPerfect's tribute to Relay For Life of Second Life

PrimPerfect has published a very special tribute issue to Relay For Life.

Throughout the Relay fundraising season Primperfect had a reporter Beq Janus who was 'embedded' in Relay and covered all the main events as well as being an active member of the New Babbage fundraising team. This issue draws on Beq's blog reports and also includes a fascinating behind-the-scenes article by PrimPerfect's Editor, Saffia Widdershins, about how the Relay Telethon was made.

The issue includes some beautiful photography of some of the Relay sims - gone, but not forgotten.

To quote Beq:

'The Relay is over, long live the Relay'!

You can pick up a copy of the August 2011 RFL commemorative issue in world or read it on the Calameo site on line.

Thsnk you Saffia, Beq, and the PrimPerfect and Telethon contributors for all your support this year!

Why I Relay ~ Noki Blindside

Written by: Noki Blindside

Relay for Life of Second Life 2011 has been such a memorable experience for me; it allowed me to work with 10 new teams that wanted to become involved with Relay as much as myself, and the chance to be a Relay Track Guide. Being an official Relay Track Guide meant to help the survivors/caregivers to where they needed to be, obtaining necessary information, and receiving the official survivor/caregiver t-shirts before walking around the track for honorary hour.

Excitement brewed as my friend, Vickie Maidstone, and I waited at the Relay station listening to T1 Radio for opening ceremonies, it was very intense. As time grew near toward the first hour of relay, I could see green dots on my Mini-map go on for miles and miles! We finally hear the word from our Survivor/Caregiver chair, Cinders Vale, to allow the honorary hour to begin, and thus our job was over. Relay had just began for both of us and we set ourselves out to join the walk with all of the other amazing survivors and caregivers. Lag started to brew around each corner of the sim, it was just a nightmare, but such a great experience seeing all the campsites and all of the people cheering you on.

Before Relay, my friend Vickie and I received word from our captain, Ember Farina, the chance to become RFL Ambassadors for our team Friends Fighting Cancer. My first thoughts were: Wow what an honor! We both graciously accepted our new titles and set off into the great world of Relay. I felt as though our responsibilities as Ambassadors were: to make constant contact with our captains/team members, helping with last minute preparations for our team campsite, and to assist our captain throughout the Relay season and Relay weekend.

Nearing the end of Relay, I realized how much work everyone put into this great event we call Relay weekend. Not only does our amazing track designer, Charlene Trudeau, have a lot of work that is put on her shoulder but also for our Relay chair, MamaP Beerbaum, for making sure everything goes perfectly through the entire 24 hours. The entire RFL committee put in so much effort to make Relay weekend happen, it was just phenomenal the potential that we can achieve and the accomplishments we can overcome in such a short amount of time. We had over 140 teams during the Relay season, and our great Mentors/Liaisons made sure their teams knew everything that was being asked of them; obtaining important Relay weekend information, fundraising ideas, and campsite planning/building.

Amazing involvement, hard work, and effort throughout Relay is what strives all of us to become successful and to finally beat this terrible disease we call cancer in the future!

GO RELAY!