B
y Nazz Lane The campaign is an annual fund raising event in support of a cure for diabetes and it launches in second life in June. The 2009 campaign is sponsored by the Bid4aCure team and they’ve planned for several fund raising events during the month. This will be the third year that the team will conduct its fund raising activities in second life. Last year, they were responsible for raising over 1,000,000 Lindens that were donated to both the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK . In this year’s campaign, they’ve raised their target knowing that the difficult economic times will require more work on their part. They remain committed to topping the amount raised in 2008.
I had an opportunity to meet with the three members of the planning team. I arrived at the teams work space and was greeted by Adrian Harbinger, who had initiated contact with my editor at the SL Newspaper and had arranged for the interview.
“Welcome Nazz ... Nazz, this is Jocelyn, Argus, and MacKenzie. I am going to defer to them for this interview since they are the ones spear heading the effort. Thank you again for giving Bid4aCure coverage” He said. We exchanged pleasantries and he then teleported away to his next appointment.
Having fully rezzed into the site, I shifted my camera view to the three ladies who had also greeted my arrival. “It’s very nice to meet each of you. I'm assuming each of you is involved given the group name tags you are wearing. Who is the spokesperson going to be?” I asked
Both MacKenzie and Argus replied, “Jocelyn!”
“Can you tell me how the team is organized?
“I started Bid4aCure and we're on our third year of fund raising. Argus and her RL husband and SL partner Farrokh Vavoom helped me my first year and were the date auctioneers. Mackenzie joined us last year and she worked extremely hard to help us round up the live music community. Mack and Argus have worked so hard and helped so much that I invited them to help me run it this year.” Ms Sands replied, and then she added, “We have a team of people that are working with us. Mack, Argus and I have known each other for two years now.”
“We're a pretty closely knit group … we support each other all the time.” Ms Rasmuson added.
“Is there a group people can join?” I asked
“Yes, we have a Bid4aCure group for the people who are working on the team and involved in events, reporting, and sponsorship … and we have a new website this year... the bid4acure site is still a little under construction.” She replied.
“What were the reasons why you'd started the fundraising activity Jocelyn?
“It was because two of my closest friends at the time have diabetes, Tracy Stardust and Judristen Ames.” She replied.
“I became involved because my brother has it.” Ms Rasmuson commented.
“The formal launch is scheduled for when?”
“Our kickoff will be on Sunday, the 7th of June at Nightclub Echo Echo. The start time is 5 pm SL time and we have several other events scheduled as well. On June 14th we’re having a goods and services auction at both 11 am and at 2 pm SL time. We’re looking for a location for that event. Then on June 27th, there’s an all day benefit concert at the G.O.A.T., beginning at noon. The last is a date auction on June 28th. We’re looking for a location for that one to, but we are planning to start at 2 pm SL time.“ She said and then added. “It’s our signature event … the date auction and the event that raises the most money.”
“The date auction is great.” Ms Collingwood said.
“Have you set a target for the fundraising?” I asked
“We want to try to double last year, but with the economy the way it is ... we’re being cautious.” Jocelyn replied.
“We simply want to better last year’s goal.” Miss Collingwood said.
“Last year you’d given the funds raised to the both the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes UK, will you do so again this year?”
“I personally am in touch with both organizations each year. I speak with the Bridgewater, New Jersey office of the American Diabetes Association and also I call the Diabetes UK organization … so both are advised that it's that time again.” Ms Sands said.
“Do you have any closing thoughts? I asked.
“Yes, one for your readers ... we realize that the economy is bad ... diabetes is a serious illness, affecting millions world-wide, every little bit helps and we really appreciate any and all donations.” Ms Sands said.
Seen here and here on Flickr (special thanks to inacentaurdump and gogolita), the advertisement banners show a thinly-dressed blue lady with blue skin in front of a wilderness area with a moon rising in the sky behind her. The caption reads “Free AVATAR.”
The woman is not technically a Na’vi avatar. She isn’t wearing tribal clothes, and has no pointed ears or catlike features. But the connection to the movie is obvious.