Relay For Life of Second Life

== What is Relay For Life? ==
* Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event.
* It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
* Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. 
* Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. 
* Traditional Relays are overnight events, up to 24 hours in length.
== What is Relay For Life of Second Life? ==
Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society in Second Life and has been active, and continually growing in Second Life since 2005. In 2005, the first Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) was attended by a few hundred avatars and raised almost $5,000 US dollars for the American Cancer Society. The 2014 RFL of SL event ranked number 17 out of 5000 events, worldwide in donations received. SL residents have brought in over 4.7 million US dollars to help with the fight against cancer since 2005. The 2023 Relay event weekend will be held on June 10-11, and everyone on the grid is welcome to attend.
Until there is a cure We Relay!
For information contact Stingray9798 Raymaker, MamaP Alter, or Trager Alter.
== History of Relay For Life ==
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course. Throughout the night, friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought about how others could take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.
Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives.
== History of Relay For Life of Second Life ==
*2023
The Relay event ranked as the 8th highest fundraising event among all other Relay For Life events in the U.S.
**Theme: Hope Floats
**Season Team Leads: Gemstone Sunkiller, Selene Jashan
**ACS Leadership Team: Mamap Beerbaum and Trager Alter
**American Cancer Society Director: Stingray9798 Raymaker
**Kickoff: February 18, 2022
**Relay For Life 24-Hour Event: June 10-11, 2023
**Total Raised: $472,333 usd 
**Teams: 181
**Avatars: 1,381
*2022
The Relay event ranked as the 5th highest fundraising event among all other Relay For Life events in the U.S.
The Relay community broke last year's fundraising record and continued to show growth amidst the ever-changing landscape brought upon the world by Covid-19.
**Theme: Heroes of Hope
**Season Team Leads: Gemstone Sunkiller, Selene Jashan, and Jenny Anatine
**Hope Fest Lead: Stevie Basevi
**ACS Leadership Team: Mamap Beerbaum and Trager Alter
**American Cancer Society Director: Stingray9798 Raymaker
**Kickoff: February 19, 2022
**Relay For Life 24-Hour Event: June 11-12, 2022
**Total Raised: $453,035 usd 
**Teams: 138
**Avatars: 1,185
*2021
The Relay event ranked as the 3rd highest fundraising event among all other Relay For Life events in the U.S.
The Relay community set a new single year fundraising total and ranked as the 3rd highest fundraising Relay event in the U.S. 
**Theme: A Cure! For A Happy Ending!
**Season Team Leads: Gemstone Sunkiller and Selene Jashan
**Hope Fest Leads: Nuala Maracas and Stevie Basevi
**ACS Leadership Team: Mamap Beerbaum and Trager Alter
**American Cancer Society Director: Stingray9798 Raymaker
**Kickoff: February 20, 2021
**Relay For Life 24-Hour Event: June 12-13, 2022
**Total Raised: $416,000 usd 
**Teams: 149
**Avatars: 1,239
*2020
The Relay community smashed its $250,000 goal as they coasted to a cool $305,946 USD in its 17th year in the virtual world. The Second Life grid was buzzing from veteran teams to new communities around a game-themed track. Residents of Second Life showed the world that while covid-19 may have stopped real-world fundraising activity, the virtual world remained stronger than ever!
**Theme: Game On, Cancer! The Cure Starts Here!
**Season Team Leads: Adam Spark, Ari Spark, & Gemstone Sunkiller
**10-Days of Relay Team Lead: Selene Jashan
**Appreciation Leads: Ariel Stormcrow & Prettykitty Gumbo
**ACS Leadership Team: Mamap Beerbaum, Nikki Mathieson, & Trager Alter
**American Cancer Society Director: Stingray9798 Raymaker
**Kickoff: February 15, 2020
**10 Days of Relay: May 29 - June 7, 2020, Relay Goes MC, Bellisseria in RFL, Goreans in RFL
**Relay For Life 24-Hour Event: June 6-7, 2020
**Total Raised: $305,946 
**Teams: 203
**Avatars: 1,433
*2019
With a renewed enthusiasm, the Relay community celebrated its 16th year in the virtual world, seeing a burst in the number of new teams participating. The Relay community fundraising totals reached their highest level since 2015. The season kicked off earlier than ever before (Feb. 16) with the Relay event moving from July to June (8-9), taking place on a 35-region track in the shape of the number 15.
**Theme: All Aboard! For A Cure!
**Season Team Leads: Adam Spark, Ari Spark, & Gemstone Sunkiller
**5-Days of Relay Team Lead: Selene Jashan
**24-Hour Weekend Team Leads: Ariel Stormcrow, Dianna Wycliffe, & Prettykitty Gumbo
**ACS Leadership Team: Mamap Beerbaum, Nikki Mathieson, & Trager Alter
**American Cancer Society Director: Stingray9798 Raymaker
**Kickoff: February 16, 2019
**5 Days of Relay: June 3-7, 2019, Relay Goes MC
**Relay For Life 24-Hour Event: June 8-9, 2019
**Total Raised: $238,900
**Teams: 198
**Avatars: 995
*2018
This year marked a shift in the Relay For Life community, where the old committee structure was dissolved in favor of a core Event Leadership Team that was responsible for the season and the event priorities, and allowing as many volunteers to participate in the execution of tasks required to execute a successful season & event. The entire fundraising system was overhauled and replaced, which would allow teams to continue using the same tools, year-round, without having to replace them. 
**Theme: United, We Relay
**Event Leadership Team: Nuala Maracas, Mamap Beerbaum, Nikki Mathieson, & Random Padar
**Total Raised: $206,000
**Teams: 127
**Avatars: 1,099
*2017
**Theme: Passport to Hope
**Event Chair: Nuala Maracas
**Event Co-Chair: Leala Spire & Grace Loudon
**Total Raised: $230,000
**Avatars: 996
*2016
**Theme: Once Upon A Cure
**Event Chair: Random Padar
**Event Co-Chairs: Nuala Maracas & Leala Spire
**Total Raised: $233,003
**Teams: 210
**Avatars: 1,129
*2015
**Theme: The Future is Now
**Event Chair: Random Padar
**Event Co-Chair: Dawnbeam Dreamscape
**Total Raised: $277,000
**Teams: 210
**Avatars: 1,299
*2014
**Theme: A Journey of Promise
**Event Chair: Nikki Mathieson
**Event Co-Chairs: Random Padar & Dawnbeam Dreamscape
**Total Raised: $415,000
**Teams: 195
**Avatars: 2,365
* 2013 
The ninth Relay For Life of Second Life took on Saturday, July 13 through Sunday, July 14, 2013. The Event Chair was Nikki Mathieson and the Event Co-Chairs were Dwen Dooley and Serina Juran.
** Theme: Celebrating 100 Years of Hope
**Total raised: US$393,000
**Avatars: 3,549
**Sims: 40
**Laps Walked: 2,898
**Teams: 200
**Luminaria Lit: 3,334
* 2012 
The eighth Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 14 through Sunday, July 15, 2012. The Event Chair wasMamap Beerbaum and the Event Co-Chairs were Dwen Dooley and Nikki Mathieson.
** Theme: Time For A Cure
**Total raised: US$375,385
**Avatars: 1,741
**Sims: 40
**Laps Walked: 2,978
**Teams: 155
**Luminaria Lit: 3,843
* 2011 
The seventh Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 16 through Sunday, July 17, 2011. The Event Chair was Mamap Beerbaum and the Event Co-Chair was Dwen Dooley.
** Theme: Seasons of Hope
**Total raised: US$375,000
**Avatars: 2140
**Sims: 44
**Laps Walked: 3,846
**Teams: 144
**Luminaria Lit: 4,821
* 2010 
The sixth Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 17 through Sunday, July 18, 2010. The Event Chair was Tayzia Abattoir and the Event Co-Chairs were Nuala Maracas and MamaP Beerbaum.
** Theme: Wishing on a Cure
**Total raised: US$222,804
**Avatars: 1579 
**Sims: 36
**Laps Walked: 2,676 
**Teams: 139
**Luminaria Lit: 7,271
* 2009 
The fifth Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 18 through Sunday, July 19, 2009. The Event Chair was Fayandria Foley, and there were four co-Chairs: Tayzia Abattoir, Nuala Maracas, Stella Costello, who was succeeded halfway by Charlene Trudeau, and Belle Loll.
** Theme: One World, One Hope
**Total raised: US$274,000 (corrected figure)
**Avatars: 1913 
**Sims: 36
**Laps Walked: 2,155 
**Course Length: 11,907 meters 
**Distance Walked: 25,650,536 meters
* 2008 
The fourth Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 19 through Sunday, July 20, 2008. It took place over 35 sims laid out in the shape of an 'H'. The Event Chair was Fayandria Foley and the Event Co-Chair was David Jacobs.
**Theme: Heroes
**Total raised: US$215,000
**Avatars: 2230 
**Sims: 35
**Laps Walked: 3,441 
**Course Length: 8,379 meters
**Distance Walked: 28,826,107 meters 
* 2007 
The third Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 21 through Sunday, July 22, 2007. The Event Chair was Fayandria Foley.
**Theme: Quest for a Cure
**Total raised: US$118,500
**Avatars: 1831 
**Sims: 32
**Laps Walked: 1,519 
**Course Length: 12,140 meters 
**Distance Walked: 18,432,891 meters 
* 2006 
The second Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, July 22 through Sunday, July 23. It started on Saturday at 5pm SL time. It was again organized by Jade Lily, and the track was laid out over 12 sims representing the different countries of the world.
**Total raised: US$41,000
**Avatars: 1570 
**Sims: 12
**Laps Walked: 2,047 
**Course Length: 4,065 meters
**Distance Walked: 8,321,055 meters
* 2005 
**The first Relay For Life of Second Life took place on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, 2005. It started at 5pm SL time. It was the brainchild of Jade Lily (who in real life was an airman called Keith Morris) and was reported in the The New York Times in an article called 'Letting your fingers do the running'.
**Total raised: US$5,000
**Avatars: 315 
**Laps: 817 
**Sims: 6
**Course Length: 2,500 meters
**Distance Walked: 2,042,500 meters 
* 2004 
**The first volunteer driven fundraiser for the American Cancer Society ever in Second Life
**Avatars: 99
**Total raised: US$2,000
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
Q: Where can I go (inworld) to receive information about Relay For Life or for cancer support?
A: Visit the American Cancer Society Island 
Q: Why does Relay For Life take place overnight?
A: The significance of daytime and nighttime coincides with the journey that all cancer patients go through. A much-used slogan is 'Cancer doesn't sleep and neither do we'.
Q: How does this Relay differ from Relay For Life in real life?
A: The main difference is location. Residents form teams, set up and decorate campsites, and sell small items to help raise money just like at a local relay. Since this is a virtual environment however, there are some activities that are special to Second Life, such as, snail races and sailboat races.
Q: Where can I see how much money has been raised this year?
A: Our official fundraising tools report every donation by mega event, general donations, and Relay For Life teams on our Team Totals page . This page resets to $0 every year on July 1, which is the start of our new fundraising year.
Q: Relay For Life is an activity of the American Cancer Society. Is it just for Americans?
A: Relay For Life is international. In real life, Relay For Life is licensed to national cancer societies in 19 countries outside the United States, and the American Cancer Society's International Relay For Life Program provides training and technical assistance to licensees. In Second Life, participation by residents from other countries is growing, with avatars from over 80 real life countries.
Q: Why should people from other countries donate Lindens to an American cause?
A: The American Cancer Society is the global leader in the fight against cancer and in cancer information, participating in many global forums and alliances every year. For more information about how we are leading the global fight against cancer, visit http://global.cancer.org.
In 2018 & 2019, the Fantasy Faire (a mega fundraising event for Relay For Life) was allowed to restrict all fundraising dollars to be used to help the American Cancer Society fund the construction of a new Hope Hostel in Kenya. 2018 marked the first time that a Relay For Life fundraiser would earmark donations for a specific global initiative. To date, the Fantasy Faire has raised $100,000 USD that will be used to help fund the construction of the Hope Hostel in Kenya. In 2020, the Fantasy Faire continued the tradition of funding the global mission of the American Cancer Society.
The 2018 Christmas Expo fundraising is dedicated to fund the Patient Navigator program for the Kenyatta Hope Hostel project, which will add two navigators to help cancer patients in Kenya find the information and resources they need and to make informed decisions on treatment options. In 2019, the Christmas Expo started directing its fundraising dollars toward the American Cancer Society's childhood cancer programs and services.
This new approach to 'mega-event' fundraising has allowed us to dedicated specific funding to global projects, where we are able to deliver the right kind of support to areas around the world where it is needed most. Additional global projects will benefit from future fundraising in Second Life.
Q: How can I be sure my Lindens will get to the right place?
A: If you suspect a fraudulent kiosk or vendor, you can ask Stingray9798 Raymaker to investigate. All money donated through the approved fundraising tools will be routed directly to the American Cancer Society. We can check our transaction history to verify that the fundraising tool is sending money, correctly. And, we can also check tools to make sure that they are functioning properly. 
Q: Where does my Relay For Life donation go?
A: See: 
Q: Is it possible to fundraise outside the Relay For Life season?
A: In Second Life, we encourage volunteers to take a break during the offseason, but year-round fundraising for the American Cancer Society is certainly up to you. As of 2018, the fundraising tools will function year-round, but may be reset to L$0 at the start/end of each season. Only money raised during the season will be counted toward a team's drive toward fundraising club levels. Offseason fundraising may still show in a team total in hover text above the tools, but will be reset to L$0 to start the next season.
Q: Do I receive a t-shirt for my registration?
A: Free t-shirts for your avatar are available in the Relay For Life building on American Cancer Society Island. Anyone who raises $100usd on their dashboard will earn enough Relay Points to order a RL shirt from the Relay Rewards program. You'll get an email with your Relay Rewards balance at the end of the year.
Q: What if I have photosensitivity concerns?
A: A very small percentage of people may experience issues when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in video games. Here are some tips for adjusting your browser settings that may reduce the impact of flashing lights and glowing objects in Second Life. Reduce "Max Particle Count" to zero (0), Uncheck "Render Glow", or Derender the object that is causing issues for you.
== Relay For Life of Second Life Fundraising Guidelines ==
This is an online virtual fundraiser, unlike any other. If there are any questions about these guidelines, please contact the RFL of SL Season Leads. There may be times of special circumstances considering the platform that we are utilizing to fundraise.
For the detailed guidelines, visit our Guidelines page: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=104349&pg=informational&sid=212807&name=fundraising-guidelines
== Articles ==
* 2005 
** 'Letting Your Fingers Do the Running, by Mark Wallace, The New York Times, August 21, 2005
* 2006
**'Tao's Thoughts on Second Life' by Tao Takashi, July 16, 2006
** 'Why Walk? Virtual Walkathon Helps Raise Money For Cancer Research' by Stephen Totilo, MTV News, July 20, 2006
** Relay for Life: Aimee's Build Crew, by Aimee Weber, Second Life Insider, July 21, 2006
** 'Running for Life' by Wagner James Au, New World Notes, July 22, 2006
**'Virtual Relay for Life nets $38,000 for American Cancer Society!' by Rik Panganiban, The Click Heard Around the World, July 24, 2006
** 'Second Life Fundraising: Philanthropy Dips Its Toe Into Virtual Worlds' by Tom Watson, onPhilanthropy, July 26, 2006
* 2007
**'Electric Sheep Co. of Second Life -- Herding pixels for fun and profit' by Memory Harker, Austin Chronicle, March 2, 2007
** 'Team Guardians Relay for Life Success!' by Aleks Krotoski, The Guardian Games Blog, July 30, 2007
**'SL Relay for Life: Second Life Success', Social Sim blog
* 2008
** 'Relay for Life Second Life', by Penguin Kuhn, Non Profits in Second Life (NPSL) blog, August 3, 2008
** 'Second Life Relay For Life 2008 doubles previous record, raising over $210k' by Bryan Miller, Giving in a Digital World, September 7, 2008
* 2009
** 'American Cancer Society Relay For Life Of Second Life Marks Milestone Year In Virtual World', Medical News Today, July 9, 2009
** 'Relay for Life of Second Life is International!', Best of Second Life (BOSL), June 2009
** 'Relay for Life of Second Life is International!', SL-Newspaper, June 29, 2009
** 'American Cancer Society Relay For Life Of Second Life Marks Milestone Year In Virtual World', Medical News Today, July 9, 2009
** 'Virtual Relay For Life fundraiser in Second Life' by Benny Evangelista, San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate), July 17, 2009
** 'Can Second Lifers Raise a Quarter Million US$ to Fight Cancer This Year? UPDATE: Yes We Can!' by Wagner James Au, New World Notes, July 17, updated July 19, 2009
** 2009 Second Life Relay for Life raises a quarter million dollars (and climbing)! by Rik Riel, The Click Heard Around the World, July 19, 2009
** 'Relaying for a Good Cause: RFL in SL' by Dulcie Mills, Rezlibris, July 2009
** 'Open Forum: How Can Second Life's Relay Raise Over $500,000 in 2010?' by Wagner James Au, New World Notes, July 21, 2009
** 'Relay for Life Shatters Records', Best of Second Life (BOSL), July 24, 2009
** 'Relay for Life Shatters Records, Raises Over $270,000 to Fight Cancer', SL Newspaper, July 25, 2009
** 'Compassionate Redheads Win 2009 Spirit of Relay Award' by Bixyl Shuftan, SL Newspaper, August 2, 2009
** 'Relay for Life 2009 Final Results' Best of Second Life (BOSL), August 2009
** 'Relay for Life of Second Life goes to National Summit', SL Newspaper, August 15, 2009
** 'Brother and Sister Team Up in Second Life to Support Relay for Life' by Nazz Lane, SL Newspaper, September 7, 2009
** 'For the Love of Relay for Life', by Isadora Fiddlesticks, Avenue Magazine, September, 2009 - online version of the special SLCC 2009 print edition
== Videos ==
* 2006
** 'Relay for Life 06' by SLHamlet, July 21, 2006
* 2007
**'Second Life Relay For Life Demo SXSW 2007' by 'acshp', a video of the presentation given by Keith Morris at SXSW 2007 in Austin, TX
** 'SLRFL 2007 Survivor's Lap' by Moo Money, 2007
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRxnNEbLiM0 'Relay for life in Second life 2007' by MarkTwain White, 2007
** 'Relay for Life in Second Life 2007' by VoiceOverDream March 25, 2008
* 2008
** 'Relay for Life Sims Tour Part 1' by MarkTwain White, 2008
** 'Relay for Life Sims Tour Part 2' by MarkTwain White, 2008
** 'Relay for Life Sims Tour Part 2' by MarkTwain White, 2008
** 'Second Life Relay for Life (SLRFL) 2008' by Jovana Qinan, July 26, 2008
** 'Second Life for Relay for life 2008' by VoiceOverDream July 31, 2008
 
* 2009
** 'Treet TV coverage of Relay For Life of Second Life'
** 'Relay For Life Giant Snail Race in Second Life - March 21 2009' by SLCNfan, promotional video, March 18, 2009
** 'Giant Snail Relay for Life 09' by waelyatenk, April 15, 2009
** 'Relay For Life 2009 in Second Life' by MarkTwain White, July 2009
** 'Elf Circle at RFL09' by Serina Juran, July 16, 2009
** 'Cancerland at Relay For Life, 2009, by rmazar, July 18, 2009
** 'Relay for Life Charity Video: Believe in the Dream', by waelyatenk, July 19, 2009
** 'New Babbage - SL Relay For Life 09', by Lokiboy, July 20, 2009
** '2009 Gorean Relay For Life Part 1 HD', by spectralglider, July 22, 2009
** 'Relay For Life in Second Life -- Tour (Part One)' by MarkTwain White, September 18, 2009
** 'Relay For Life in Second Life -- Tour (Part Two)' by MarkTwain White, September 18, 2009
*2010
**'2010 RFL of SL Tour by MarkTwain White'
*2011
**'2011 RFL of SL Tour by MarkTwain White'
*2012
**'2012 RFL of SL Tour by MarkTwain White'
*2015
**'A Walk Around Relay 2015'
*2016
**'Video: 2016 Kickoff
**'Video: 2016 Opening Ceremony'
*2018
**'Video: 2018 Kickoff'
**'Video: 2018 Opening Ceremony'
**'Video: 2018 Closing Ceremony'
**'Video: 2018 Fly-Over'
*2019
**'Video - 2019 Opening Ceremony'
**'Video - 2019 Luminaria Ceremony'
**'Video - 2019 Closing Ceremony'
**'Video - 2019 Wrap Up Party Live Stream
**'Video - 2019 Relay Goes MC'
**'Video - Once In My Life'
*2020
**'Video - What is Relay For Life'
**'Video - 2020 Kickoff'
**'Video - Relay Rap from the 2020 Fantasy Faire'
**'Video - 2020 Opening Ceremony'
**'Video - 2020 Luminaria Ceremony'
**'Video - 2020 Closing Ceremony'
**'Video - Relay Refresh: Rescue Me'
**'Video - Relay Refresh: Stronger'
**'Video - Relay Refresh: Social Distancing Parody'
**'Video - Relay Refresh: We Are the World, Too'
**'Video - Relay Refresh: The Whole of the Moon'
*2021
As of this year, all RFL of SL official videos can be found on our YouTube channel. We will no longer update this section of the wiki.
== Links ==
*Official Website: http://www.relayforlife.org/secondlife 
*Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acsinsl/ 
*Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/acsinsl <Br>
*Official YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz7dJZZeZ_YkLVsqy3XBNWA/featured 
*Official Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/ACS_SL 
*Official Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/slrelayforlife/
== Pictures ==
* Volunteer pictures on Flickr
* Second Life Relay For Life 2006 pictures by Dedric Mauriac
* Second Life Relay For Life 2007 pictures by Dedric Mauriac
* Second Life Relay For Life 2007 pictures by Tao Takashi 
* Second Life Relay For Life 2008 pictures by Dedric Mauriac
* Wildstar Beaumont's Flickr Albums
* Ishtar Micheline's Flickr Albums