RELAY FOR LIFE, the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, closed
its fifth and most successful annual event in Second Life on Sunday, July 19 having raised
over a quarter of a million US dollars in support of cancer research. With donations still
coming in, that figure is already over $270,000 US and it looks as if the final total will easily
surpass that by the end of July.
This year’s Relay had the theme of ‘
One World, One Hope’ and was the largest to date, with
a track lined by luminaria winding through 37 sims of amazing builds - some specially
created by designers, and some built by the teams themselves. More than 1,900 avatars
completed one or more laps, a combined total of 2,155 laps, while others chose to visit
the campsites, where they could teleport to a space station from the survivors’ moon camp,
visit the Mars base, cycle around the Tour de France, zap cancer cells in the Anatomica
build, take a ride through the breast cancer rollercoaster, explore The Shire – home of the
hobbits - rest on the lovely Tranquility beach, or attend one of the music events on the
entertainment sims. There was also a lovingly built replica of the Charleston, SC Hope
Lodge. Avatars gathered outside Hope Lodge wearing purple capes, and pledging to ‘Fight
Back’, in a moving ceremony. And 5,370 luminaria were lit in support of loved ones going
through treatment, and in memory of those heroes who have passed on.
Stingray9798 Raymaker (the avatar of the official ACS representative in Second Life,
Jeffrey Montegut) drew attention to some of the new features of this year’s event: ‘This
year marked the first year that we held the Relay for Life of Second Life Teen Edition (a teen
relay was held from Friday to Saturday) which means we actually relayed for 48 hours,
straight.’ He went on: ‘Particularly important this year was that the American Cancer
Society’s ‘mission’ and the ‘international’ aspect of Relay were fused into almost every
aspect of the event.’
Fayandria Foley, who is stepping down as Relay for Life of Second Life Event Chair after
four very successful years – three as Event Chair – said: ‘This was our largest and most
successful Relay ever. We have put Relay for Life of Second Life on the map not only in
Second Life but also in real life.’ She continued: ‘Gwinnett County Relay For Life (one of the
largest perennial events in the USA, with more than 6,000 participants raising more than one
million US dollars – ed.) may be the biggest Relay for Life and the largest money maker in
real life but ... they don't have participants from over 26 different countries, a survivor camp
on the moon, a roller coaster, or sailing activities, they don’t have tinies and furries, they
don't have the ability to fly and to teleport from one side of the track to the other, and above
all they don’t have you! WE are truly One World!’
This past weekend’s Relay For Life of Second Life also set a new listener record for
T1Radio, the Relay's Official Broadcaster, which reported that this was its biggest weekend
ever!
According to
Trader1 Whiplash, the station recorded more than 6,000 unique IP
addresses logged to T1Radio on July 18-19 combined. ‘I knew right away this was going
to be a huge weekend. By the time we began the opening ceremony we had more than 600
listeners showing on our board’ said Trader.
A record number of teams took part this year with 130 teams listed, ranging from two to 400
people per team, by the time of the Opening Ceremony. For MamaP Beerbaum, Chair of
the Teams Committee, it was an extraordinary experience. ‘When I was asked if I wanted to
Chair the Teams Committee, I hesitated, because I had been a team captain the previous
year, and that was what I so loved about Relay ... the team experience. I knew if I said ‘yes’
that I could not do that anymore. Well, I am glad I decided to take the leap. Instead of
working with ONE team, I got to work with EACH of the teams, to talk to hundreds of you, to
share your plans, your dreams, your heartache, your passion, your ups and downs, your
kindness, your caring ... It has been my privilege and honor to relay with each and every one
of you.’
Cinders Vale, the avatar of a breast cancer survivor in Washington State, USA, says: ‘This
was my third year, and this year I took a more active part in volunteering. Being part of Relay
with so many others was beyond what I thought it would be. I can’t wait to get started for
2010!’ Cinders was Co-Chair of the Survivors/Caregivers Committee which organized the
opening lap when survivors and caregivers take to the track. According to Cinders, 135
survivors and caregivers were registered in advance for the opening lap and an estimated
150 avatars took part, setting another record.
Poppy Zabelin of the new International Relations committee said: ’Coming from two
European countries - I am originally from the UK and I spend part of my time there and part
of my time on Holland which are BOTH International Relay countries - I immediately saw the
theme of this year’s Relay as an opportunity to help to put Relay on the map as a truly
international, global, event which is now licenced to 20 countries outside the USA. Here
though there’s one crucial difference: we all walk the same track.’ She went on: ‘By the
close of Relay I had counted participants from a record 31 countries and made many new
friends. It was awesome to see so many flags around the starting sim and to be holding
hands with so many people across the globe.’
As incoming Event Chair for 2010,
Tayzia Abattoir, pointed out at the Closing Ceremony, it
is impossible to touch on all those who contributed their time and skills and thank them all
individually.
‘From the American Cancer Society Representative, Jeff Montegut, to the Event Chair and
Co Chairs, and all of the Committee members, those making sure the main event runs
smoothly, others making the awards, the t-shirts, luminaries, the kiosks, taking care of PR
and spreading the word, mission integrity, international relations, greeters, mentors, radio
stations, publications that give us free space, musicians that provide free events, assistance
from the in-world ACS support groups, and so much more, there are so many things that so
many people do, I just can’t possibly touch on all of them or I will be talking forever.
‘From everything that goes on behind the scenes, to the captains and teams. Without you,
we would not have a Relay. You are the blood that runs through the Relay veins, who have
raised over a quarter million dollars for our 2009 campaign alone, and in today’s economy
that speaks loudly about the caring, giving community that Second Life is and of our Relay
for Life family here.’
She closed by saying: ‘I am honored to be a member of this family and look forward to
guiding Relay for Life of Second Life next year as the Event Chair, but I look forward even
more to the day when there is a cure so that we can just gather as friends without the worry
of cancer.’
Some of the Committee are already looking ahead. Technical Chair ZenMondo Wormser
who stepped in at a crucial time to recover the database so that the donations were correctly
recorded, said: ‘Collecting donations and recording them is becoming a larger task as Relay
grows larger. For 2010 we’re designing a new system that should rise to the occasion as
well as offering new kiosk and vendor systems.’
The last word has to go to a first-time relayer and cancer survivor from Australia, RebelMum
Slade, who is a member of the Friends Fighting Cancer team. The event took place in the
same weekend as her real life birthday and days before her four-year check-up, which was
clear.
‘
Words cannot describe the impact of working with people from all over the world toward acommon goal. The utterly amazing international melting pot of people gathered in SecondLife to share laughter, memories and most of all to stand up to a common enemy isempowering. The love and caring makes you wish the whole world could experience this.Days after the event as I go for my walk, my head is a little higher, my stride faster and mysmile wider as I see myself doing backflips and running down the virtual track surrounded bysurvivors, caregivers and supporters from every nation.‘2009 was my first RFL in any life but you can bet this Aussie cancer survivor will be joining alocal group in real life too.’
Next year’s campaign runs from March through July 2010 but plans are already being
made, so if you would like to play an active role please join the ‘SL’s RFL Volunteers’ group
and look out for the announcements.
A year ago, the anniversary of her passing was marked with a candlelight service. Recently, a number of people in both the Sunweavers and Passionate Redheads have had family members pass away. So instead of a solemn service, it was decided to hold a memorial dance in her honor. The event was held in the Southern Colorado sim near what is now known as Fimi Falls, land owner and Passionate Redhead organizer Daaneth Kivioq explained, “I only met Fimi a few times, but I was abel to show her this place, and she fell in love with it - so I dedicated the falls to her memory.”
Throughout the event, people talked about Fimi, her art, and her life. A Relay for Life kiosk collected donations as they came in. At 7 PM, Shockwave stepped down and Vaughan Michalak stepped in with live music. At one point, Daaneth handed the crowd a challenge, “Fimi spent many years fighting cancer before she lost her battle - as a result, she often hid pink cancer awareness ribbons in her paintings - now a few of you know where it is already - but there is one hidden near here too - can you find it?” Several people spotted the hidden ribbon.
As the event closed, Daaneth thanked Nydia and everyone who came, “You are all my heroes! thank you for being here tonight! ... FOR FIMI!! Thank you Nydia! And thank all of you for your support and generosity!”
