The 2019 Relay Season Ends

By Bixyl Shuftan

"All good things must come to an end." And so it was the case with the Relay for Life's fundraising season for 2019. Things were somewhat different this year as the season had been shifted a month early, from February to June instead of from March to July, to avoid an anticipated drop in activity in Second Life, and donations. For this season, "All Aboard For A Cure," besides some successful teams from last year and before, there were some new teams that did very well, such as the motorcross teams in the "Five Days of Relay."

Although the Relay Weekend was on June 8 and 9, and the track was taken down soon after, the season hadn't ended quite yet. Some teams planned one or two more events for a little extra push to raise a little more funding. On Wednesday June 19, the Spirit of the Dragon RFL team decided to throw one more party for "Just One More Hurrah! ...Please Join us as this remarkable team celebrates a last Hurrah before Wrap Up !! ... Tonite  we sing and dance and thank all for a wonderful Relay Season."

The party went from 4 to 7PM SL time, with musicians Loreen Aldrin, Melenda Baptiste, and
Frogg Marlowe. There were also Adorsy, Kitty Creations and EED Home and Garden 1000L gift certificates available. At the end of the event, team founder Darkstone Aeon announced the team had hit Jade level fundraising, which had been far beyond his original expectations at the season's start.

Spirit of the DragonRFL was going to be a team of 1 - I was going to put a few vendors out at my store and that was it - whatever was raised  would be good enough -  because of a few special folks who pushed and prodded    and made me think why I wanted to relay - we have now hit L$: 511,051  so for Kammie Eva Ted Jad - BB and a few others who took me kicking and hollering  down the Relay Road I thank you !

Two days later on Friday February 21, three of the smaller teams would have a joint event, hosted by team Mini A Chu and involving Ryukyu Warriors and Harshlands, from 11 AM to 8 PM SL time.

There's a Mini Dragon Roo Wrap-Up party in Harshlands For a Cure with Friends Lurking in Shadow starting at 11am slt Friday all the way till 8pm SLT with DJs from multiple teams and this will be our last attempt to bring 3 teams to Silver: Mini A Chuu, Ryukyu Warriors and Harshlands, bring your friendsssss, plus this is an exhibition of things, for this duration only, if you donate a certain amount to either Ryukyu Warriors, Mini A Chuu, Harshlands, you will get to choose a diorama of your choice, an absolute unique and ultimately detailed Mini A Chuu's specialized product

from Chuu Hikari Akamine

And for one random hour (given im awake) any product branded Mini A Chuu products bought will all be donatwd to each team RFL kiosk

It was a fun party, with some of the new noodle dragon avatars dancing away with the humans and furs. Teams Mini A Chuu and Harshlands would reach Silver level.

 Saturday June 22 would be the last event of one of the larger teams, Team ACTS Royal Ascot. Following the horse race was a dance.

The event, and later donations, would move the team up past Sapphire level (750,000 Lindens) to Ruby level fundraising, 1,250,000 Lindens / $5000 USD raised.

That afternoon and evening was perhaps the last event before the closing one. Team Shadow held a "Summer Solstice" party at it's Shadowed Forest Glen.

You are invited to join Team Shadow as we celebrate the Summer Solstice, Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm SLT at the Shadowed Forest Glen. Formal or fae/fantasy fear requested, however, not required. Bring your kiosk and help us celebrate the close of the 2019 RFL of SL season.

The Sunbeamers and Roos With a Dream were among the teams taking part. Team Shadow would hit Silver.

Finally on Sunday June 23 was the Relay Wrap-Up event.

Join us ... as we say goodbye to the 2019 Relay Season!  Come and celebrate the amazing year we had!  Final Fund Raising Awards, as well as Community Champions, Spirit of Relay, and the Gordy Klatt Awards will be given.  It is time to PARTY and CELEBRATE!  See you there!

While the official start was at 10AM, there was some music and dancing beforehand.

Some final awards for the season would be given out. Among the people honored were Jamie Broken for her technical work and Ishtarangel for her photography.

There would be some more dancing afterwards.

It was a party that would last for a while, the last event of the season.

There would also be a poll given out for a choice of two themes for next year: cartoons or games.

Shortly after the Wrap-Up, Stingray would send the following message:

As the American Cancer Society staff partner for Second Life, I would like to sincerely thank our community for its generosity and support. This year, 198 teams participated in the Relay For Life movement and raised $238,900 to help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in our virtual world.

We were honored to welcome and celebrate the lives of hundreds of cancer survivors. Our luminaria ceremony demonstrated the community's warmth and strength in honoring survivors and those who are no longer with us.

I would also like to thank the Relay For Life event volunteer leadership teams, team captains, and participants who worked so hard to make this year's event a success. And of course, thank you to our premier sponsors, RGF Estates, The Chilli Post, Relay Refresh, Rockliffe University, and Sol Existence. By coming together once again, you all made this season a spectacular success!

Together, we can beat our biggest rival, and we're already getting started on planning for 2020. To ensure you receive  timely information, follow us on Facebook, join the Relay For Life Volunteers Group, and/or visit RelayForLife.org/SecondLife.

With all of my appreciation and gratitude,

Stingray9798 Raymaker
Jeffrey Montegut
Sr. Consultant, Virtual Community Development
American Cancer Society

 For my own team, the Sunbeamers, it's the end of another successful year. Three of our most active members had to deal with real-life trouble, including one having to go to the hospital to have cancer treated after thankfully discovered early so it was more easily dealt with. Despite the problems, the team continued to do well, and ended up with achieving Jade level for the second time in it's history and the second time it won a campsite trophy. For the Sunweaver/Angel community, "the little team that could" continues to be a source of pride, and over a decade after her passing continuing the work of the late Artistic Fimicloud.

So we say goodbye to the 2019 Relay for Life in Second Life season "All Aboard for a Cure," and look forward to the next one.

Bixyl Shuftan

The Relay Wrap-Up

Transcript provided in announcement by Sandy Loxingly
Pictures from Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan

[2018/07/29 10:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): 2018  RFL Wrap-Up Ceremony  begins with dances by FlyGearz
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): Sandie - just paste - (Sting Ad Libs)
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Stingray (stingray9798.raymaker): hahah
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: No no no!
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: I want to know what he says!
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Rowena Dubrovna: Don't leave me out
[2018/07/29 10:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): it will be Sting- blah, blah, blah
[2018/07/29 10:05]  Rowena Dubrovna: Cuddly can help you Sandie! *ropes Cuddly*
[2018/07/29 10:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Don't worry Row
[2018/07/29 10:07]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Welcome everyone to the 2018 Relay For Life of Second Life Wrap-Up Ceremony. Thank you go Kiran Sporg, of FlyGearZ for helping us dance in a United fashion! So fitting for this year’s theme, isn’t it?

[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: And that’s just what I wanted to talk about first. The UNITY that we all experienced during the 2018 Relay season. I want to thank each and every one of you for embracing the many many changes that were made in 2018...because it will prepare you for more changes that will happen in 2019. You see, Relay Refresh isn’t a one-year thing. It’s a long-term plan that we have to adjust and adapt what we do and how we do things...while remaining secure in our relationships with one another. (And please forgive us if we forget anyone because there are so many to tthank)
[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some of the amazing results of your Relay efforts that I personally saw this year have me already excited about what will happen over the next few years for all of us.

[2018/07/29 10:08]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We planted many small seeds this year, with many new teams and partnerships. And now we must prepare to cull the things that didn’t pan out, so that we can focus on watering the wins!

[2018/07/29 10:09]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some of the more noticeable changes this year were the Kickoff date and a shorter season. And we may not be finished testing out options with when the season runs and how long it should be. We started over with a new fundraising tool system that is going to grow over time, but the biggest benefit in year 1 is going to happen tomorrow when we push the RESET button on them. None of your tools will poof. You won’t have to get a new offseason kiosk and replace it. Instead, your tools will simply change to ‘offseason mode’ and your totals will reset to L$0.

[2018/07/29 10:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Speaking of resetting things - - We reset the Fundraising Club guidelines to create an opportunity for more teams to earn their status. We tested several campsite and layout options, including Turnkey sites, sideways sites; we gave teams more say in where their site was set along the track; we tried to accommodate special requests, and we spread out a little more than in the past. More people were involved in the execution of the season and the event than ever before, thanks to the new ‘task list’ approach to volunteering! And I know we have some tweaks to make and there are plenty of ideas in the feedback form that we’re going to explore. But looking at the big picture, I hope you’ll all agree that this giant ship that is Relay For Life of Second Life...is heading in the right direction!

[2018/07/29 10:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What direction is that, you ask? Well for starters, I saw so many people set aside their own personal agendas to help each other and to have a good experience. I saw teams supporting one another instead of competing with one another.
I saw many teams plan events and activities for their respective communities outside the Relay group, which is absolutely necessary in order for us to grow.

[2018/07/29 10:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw people interact with each other without judgement. I love how when someone comes into the Relay community - and the rest of the community embraces them based on how that person chooses to express themselves. It’s so nice to see a pilot talking to an alien and a fairy - all in character!

[2018/07/29 10:12]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We set out this year to be one Relay For Life with many moving parts. Each of those parts would reach out to different areas of Second Life to bring the grid together for a unified cause. And we all understand the importance of our mission - of making sure that the American Cancer Society services are available to residents of Second Life - IN Second Life, and to invest in the lifesaving research projects that are funded by the American Cancer Society, and to support our global partnerships - where for the first time in our history - through the Fantasy Faire - we were able to personally direct $50,000 of our fundraising dollars to a specific project, the Kenyatta Hope Hostel, where cancer patients can’t get treatment simply because they live too far from the only hospital available, and they don’t have paved roads or a vehicle to get there.

[2018/07/29 10:13]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Imagine you have been diagnosed with cancer and the closest place to get treatmetn is 100 miles away  and you would have to wlak to get there
[2018/07/29 10:14]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): so ACS is partnering with the Kenyatta Hostel so these people can get treatments they need closer to home
[2018/07/29 10:14]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw Trager Alter - - who has never been involved with Relay For Life of Second Life before - - take it upon himself to start his own Relay Refresh blog b/c he was so inspired by the stories he was hearing and the vision for where we are going - that he wanted to do something that showcased as many of your own personal stories in his own way. This was not a task that was created and assigned to him - this was his original idea that he wanted to do and when he asked if he could, we said - you don’t have to ask for permission to share the amazing stories of our RElayers!

[2018/07/29 10:15]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I saw so many fundraisers and events that created a season full of activity for every aspect of Second Life - and I know I can’t list every single team and event, but I was so inspired by you this season, that I just had to write a poem that tells the story of the 2018 season...and to show just how big of a difference you all make...and how much you contribute to the activity and the culture of Relay, and of Second Life, in general!

[2018/07/29 10:15]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting's "poem" of how the season went... he's the authro
[2018/07/29 10:16]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): author*... (pre-recorded)
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): Our core values guided us with support
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): The memories we made will forever last
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): We are one team of many
[2018/07/29 10:18]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): We will wint his battle
[2018/07/29 10:19]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): nothing scares cancer like our Relay For Life
[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Giant Snail Races start with Ready.Set.GO
Feed your Soul Find A Cure hosts a Fashion Show
Jewell Theater dedicates their performance of SNOW
Too Tough To Die does country with a HO - - - Down

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Down by the River..of Life - dunking DJs is great
Inspired Dreamwalkers DJs ...7 hours straight
Bobby McKey’s Angels start with Kiss Cancer Goodbye
While the Cure Masters auctions make their totals go high

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Relay Rockers brings back RelayStock
Havok Entertainment’s concert features classic rock

Cure Chasers prefer their music Live
Team 427 has a championship drive
Game of Thrones says, “costume, when you arrive”

[2018/07/29 10:19]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Honoring Hope rewards the photographer with the best
Team OD delivers a shocking Shred Fest
Bid Me Bald events never take a rest
Buckin’ Cancer’s concert rocks Key West
Relay for Christ does Trivia - - not a test

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Goreans never stop
Cheerleaders love 80’s pop
Team Shadow likes to Relay hard
Skill Gaming earns the top fundraising Award

Burners Without Borders does a movie night
Ritz New York’s gown is outta sight
Heroes Helping Heroes plays games, alright
But, Friends for a Cure, your tutus are a little tight

Our mega events extend our fundraising reach

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sail For Life & Coast Guard get a view of the beach

Circle of Life is dressed UP for the ball
While Harmony of Hope dresses DOWN for the Crawl

Fighting Sunflowers brings storytime to their audio stream
And Mieville Steampunks party to a weekly theme

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): The Sunbeamers are planning an air show and a rave
Can someone get Aether Chrononauts to behave?

Team Live Wire sets up the Relay Store
Holy cow!  $4500 is the final score,
From a single event by Unmasking A Cure

Our core values guided us along the way
With support for each other, every day
Our fundraising goal was met, then passed
The memories we made will forever last.

[2018/07/29 10:20]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): United, We Relay, we truly became
But we’re one team of many, our mission, the same
We will win this battle, after years of strife
Because nothing scares cancer like Relay For Life!

[2018/07/29 10:21]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart now  reads the Bronze award level fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL BRONZE TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL SILVER TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:21]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads names of Silver Fundrsaising teams
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL GOLD TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads the names of the Gold Fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:22]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads Platinum  Fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Kaiila Mahoney: Good Job Jewel Thheater!!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika Braveheart reads Jade Fundrsaising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL PLATINUM  TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Annika reads Sapphire  fundraising tema
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL JADE TEAMS !
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Gemma Cleanslate: nice
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Ruby fundraisign teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL SAPPHIRE FUNDRAISING TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Purple fundraising teams
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Kaiila Mahoney: Yea Goreans!!!!!!
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Thank you to all the teams for their hard work
[2018/07/29 10:23]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader:
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Nuala Maracas: CONGRATS TO ALL PURPLE TEAMS !!
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Kaiila Mahoney: God job everyone.. all teams
[2018/07/29 10:24]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader: Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, and the funds you raised this season will be used to continue offering support, information, and education services right here in Second Life. Because the fundraising element of Relay For Life is crucial to our ability to continue our mission, to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer, the next four awards are designed to celebrate our top performers in the fundraising category.

[2018/07/29 10:24]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Here to present our Fundraising Awards are two of our 2018 sponsors. Our wrap-Up Celebration sponsor, Kira Paderborn of Entice, and one of our Premier Sponsors, from Sol Existence, Sunshine Zangshun.

[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Kira - Top Website Fundraiser individuals
[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Our event website offers each member of your team the opportunity to register, send emails, and set up a facebook fundraiser to collect donations. This year, participants had the ability to download the American Cancer Society FUNdraising app to also collect and process check donations and to send text messages to fundraise. With so many options to fundraise outside of Second Life through our website, it’s no surprise that our Top 3 Website Fundraising Individuals all surpassed $1,000, each.

[2018/07/29 10:25]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): In 3rd place, raising $1,250 usd - - Samm Scrabblebat
In 2nd place, raising $1,635 usd - - Gem Sunkiller
And our 2018 Top Website Fundraising Individual, who raised $2,070 usd, is Melina Firehawk!!

[2018/07/29 10:26]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Kira: Top Website Fundraising Teams   - Now, when each individual on a team raises money on the website, on Facebook, or through the app - - all of their individual donations are included in their Team’s website total. If you have members of your team, your community, or your group who didn’t register on the website, but still want to help fundraise that way, they can share a link to your team page with everyone they know...so that any donation made on your team page is also counted toward our next award, the Top Website Fundraising Team!
[2018/07/29 10:26]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Finishing in 3rd place, raising $2,070, is Heroes Helping Heroes
In 2nd place, raising $2,260.55, is Team Shadow
And with $2,375, our 2018 Top Website Fundraising Team is the Relay Rockers.

[2018/07/29 10:27]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sunshine: Top In-world (Linden) Fundraising teams - This next fundraising award focuses on team fundraising performance, inside Second Life. I’m sure that everyone watches the hover text on their fundraising tools, cheering on their team Linden totals. Linden fundraising makes up the majority of our event’s revenue, and the award is based on how many lindens your team raised between kickoff and Relay weekend. This season, 62 teams hit the 25,000 Linden mark. All of our teams raised over 24 Million Lindens, combined. Please join me in celebrating our top 3 Linden Fundraising Teams:

[2018/07/29 10:28]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): With L$1,346,920, 3rd place goes to the Relay Rockers
With L$1,603,563, 2nd place goes to the Goreans in Relay For Life
And our top Linden fundraising team had a unique fundraising strategy that paid off, big time. They are a first-year team who raised all of their lindens from within their own community by rewarding their customers for donating to their team. The result was an astounding L$6,475,533. Let’s all congratulate our 2018 Top Linden Fundraising Team, Skill Gaming!

[2018/07/29 10:29]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Top Overall Fundraising Teams  - And of course, after we recognize each of the individual fundraising total categories, we must now add everything up  - - the website plus the lindens and the checks...to find out who are our 2018 Top Overall Fundraising Teams.

[2018/07/29 10:30]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): With a grand total of $6,517 - our 3rd place team is the Goreans in Relay For Life
Coming in at $7,756 - our 2nd place team is the Relay Rockers
And our Top Overall Fundraising Team, turning in $25,804 - is the rookie sensation - - - Skill Gaming!

[2018/07/29 10:30]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Way to go all of you out there!!
[2018/07/29 10:31]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: Now we turn our attention to awards that show appreciation and recognition for volunteerism, actions, enthusiasm, and for contributions that have an affect on the overall atmosphere of the Relay season and the event.

[2018/07/29 10:32]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): The first group of people that we should all celebrate are those who volunteered to help execute all of the various tasks that are necessary to pulling off the largest fundraising event in Second Life. This year, the Relay was put in the capable hands of so many volunteers from so many teams and communities - and it was so refreshing to see how proud each and every one of you were for being able to do your individual part. Our tasks involved communication, organization, management of information, building, designing, coordinating, communicating, and more. And in order to show our appreciation to those of you who signed up and fulfilled a task this year, we are so happy to present to you a new award - - the Taskie!! We’ll be delivering those to you, individually, during the course of the week...but we did want to recognize and celebrate you at this time, too.

[2018/07/29 10:32]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Another type of person who contributes to the success of the season or the event...but are not on the task list...or are not on a team...or may not consider themselves “a Relayer,” in the traditional sense...but - - their contribution to the story of Relay For Life of Second Life has shown to be critical...and appreciated. These are people who are “outside” of our Relay, but are hugely important to our Relay.

[2018/07/29 10:33]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: A community champion goes out of their way to do good things for his or her community. This is a person who dedicates a large portion of their time serving others, selflessly and generously. Today, we are honored to present three individuals with this award, as way of showing how much we appreciate the impact that they have had on us.

[2018/07/29 10:34]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Every person here has been directly affected by our first recipient’s work, whether you realize it or not. Her contribution to Relay For Life had an immediate impact, and will have a lasting impact for years to come. She has been a tremendous pleasure to work with - and is the brains behind our new fundraising tool network. From the first conversation I had with her during the offseason, preparing her for the tremendous multi-year task ahead … with all of our visions and dreams for what tools we would want and how they would need to function, she never batted an eye. She always came from a place of “yes, we can do that.” She is a very busy woman - - but still took time out to investigate and debug any issue, no matter how big or small, at any time - to ensure that our fundraising system maintained its integrity. On Relay weekend, she was up with Nikki, Mama, Random, and Nuala till 4am - making sure that if any issue popped up, she would be there to fix it, immediately.
[2018/07/29 10:34]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She is always proactive in thinking of ways for our tools to be more efficient - and she has already committed to bringing back the Team Totals page for 2019!! I am very excited to present  this 2018 Community Champion Award to Sasun Steinbeck.

[2018/07/29 10:35]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Housekeeping note! Speaking of our tools - one quick housekeeping note before moving to the next Community Champion Award. We will be resetting the tools tomorrow. What you will notice that is different than in years past is that your tools will not disappear. They will stay where they are - - we will just switch them over to ‘offseason’ mode for you. Your team will remain assigned to the tools, too! And they’ll just reset to L$0 - - and then when next season starts, we’ll just reset them again to L$0...and so on.

[2018/07/29 10:35]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): Tools are resetting tomorrow.. your team will remain assigned to your team.
[2018/07/29 10:36]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): no more poofing
[2018/07/29 10:36]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Our next Community Champion is someone who has helped to spread the word about Relay For Life to so many people that have never heard of us. She has been a strong supporter for the Fantasy Faire - by sharing blog posts with many updates throughout the month of April.

[2018/07/29 10:36]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): During the course of the season, I had a couple of opportunities to talk to her - where she offered a lot of good advice and counsel that ultimately led to what became the Linden’s signature sponsorship. She may not realize it, herself, but her knowledge of Second Life has already proven to make a difference for the American Cancer Society in the future. It was her recommendation that we are acting on in the offseason...where we will be hosting a Community Gateway in 2019 - where new residents of Second Life will have the opportunity to learn how to use the platform and get started by joining one of your teams or one of your groups!!

[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She sared earlier this year that she is now a cancer survivor herself and that Relay in Second Life is something valuable to support in SL.
[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I know you all share in my excitement in presenting our next Community Champion award to the owner of: Living in A Modem World - - Inara Pey

[2018/07/29 10:38]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Our final Community Champion is someone who has helped put Relay For Life on the map - - literally - - for so many years. Many people who have worked behind the scenes on a mega event or Relay weekend for the past 12 years will know how big of a part she played in making sure our regions arrived on time...and sometimes early...and stayed there as long as we needed them to.

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There were so many times that we had to make changes to our order or that we had to request a rush job. She never made us feel like we were a bother. She was always responsive when we called or IMd her in a panic. She would grab Governor Linden and bring him to Relay team fundraisers.
[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She took a personal interest in Relay For Life, she embraced us all, she watched over us...and she always made us feel like we were more than just another SL Account.

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We always knew that we had a strong advocate in the Linden Lab office while she was there. It didn’t occur to us over the years that we could offer her this award for just doing her job. But - when you look back on how she did her job - - she always went so far above and beyond...and she really did demonstrate that she possessed the spirit of Relay. And being there for us the way that she was - - was her way of being a Relayer!

[2018/07/29 10:39]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Please join me in celebrating this Community Champion, Our “Fairy Sim Mother,” Dee Linden. … who is now Dee Lightworker.

[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting:  If you see any of these three please give them your thanks for supporting a cause that means so much to you
[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Spirit of Relay Award- Individual
[2018/07/29 10:40]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Over the last several days, everyone has had a  chance to nominate someone that they would want to recognize for embodying the ‘Spirit’ of Relay. Several names appeared on the nomination list, but there was one name that seemed to pop up over and over and over - - from multiple people on multiple teams.

[2018/07/29 10:41]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She has truly been a leader for Relay For Life from helping teams get registered, to working as an anchor team for Fantasy Faire’s One-Team initiative. She tirelessly worked every moment away from work to be a captain for her own team while producing some quality One-Team Events. She brought Relay into her community...and brought her community to Relay - every Tuesday with a fundraiser. She’s been more than generous with her time, even when she didn’t have much to spare. Even through suffering one of the hardest personal losses a person can endure, she continued to share with us her best side - always standing proud, encouraging everyone else, and nurturing those who needed it.

[2018/07/29 10:41]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Her ability to balance that internal support of other Relayers and other teams with spending time meeting new Relayers and raising awareness about who we are and what we do … and sharing our story with everyone she meets. She spent a lot of this year being a strong and positive ambassador of the American Cancer Society and our vision for the future of Second Life.

[2018/07/29 10:42]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She has demonstrated the Spirit of Relay for many years, which makes this year’s presentation to her a bit overdue. … It’s about time that we get to reward Gem Sunkiller with the 2018 Spirit of Relay - Individual award.

[2018/07/29 10:42]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Congratualtions Gem
[2018/07/29 10:43]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: As we look back on 2018, there are so many examples of our theme coming to life over and over again. This season really was a United effort. So many teams embodied the spirit of “one team” - - “one Relay” - that it has been very difficult trying to discern one team that might receive this award over others that are just as deserving…
Because the hard part is defining...what is...the spirit of Relay, exactly?

[2018/07/29 10:43]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Some might say that it is when all teams fundraise together at a single event
Some might say that it is when a team offers another team support
Some might say that it is when a team creates an event for other teams to enjoy
Some might say that it is when a team recruits a bunch of sponsors … or spawns a bunch of new teams…
Some might say that it is when a team holds another team’s hand along the way - or makes us all smile and laugh throughout the season

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There are so many ways to define the spirit of Relay - and so many teams were made up of different combinations of each definition - that it only seems right in 2018 - - the year of the United Relay - - that we present every team with this award. You all deserve to be called - the Spirit of Relay - - in your own unique ways.

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): There are so many ways to define the spirit of Relay - and so many teams were made up of different combinations of each definition - that it only seems right in 2018 - - the year of the United Relay - - that we present every team with this award. You all deserve to be called - the Spirit of Relay - - in your own unique ways.

[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): (oops chat lag)
[2018/07/29 10:44]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Gordy Klatt Award
[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: Over the years, we have always tried to educate our Relay family in Second Life about the history of our event...and the history of Relay For Life, in general.  We always recognize the great Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon who, in 1985, decided that he wanted to do more to fight cancer and wanted to raise a significant amount of money to fund the mission of the American Cancer Society.  Dr. Klatt ran and walked around a track for 24 hours that year and raised $27,000.  The next year, others joined him, taking turns for the duration of the event...and Relay For Life was born. 

[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Gordy’s vision of hope has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion in fundraising to save lives from cancer.
[2018/07/29 10:45]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): In memory of his pioneering spirit and steadfast dedication to Relay For Life, we present the Gordy Klatt Award to the person or team who has demonstrated the level of commitment and dedication to the cause...who has poured so much of themselves into our event, and whose footprint and legacy will always be a  part of the Relay For Life of Second Life story.

[2018/07/29 10:46]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This year, we are proud to present the Gordy Klatt Award to a team...for their history of involvement, dating back to the beginning. Over the years, this team has produced so many of our leadership volunteers, they’ve mentored new teams, coached and trained our entire Relay on the mission of the American Cancer Society, they have given 100% of every resource available to them...to Relay... they have lost team members to other teams, they’ve lost team members to the real-world, and they’ve lost team members to cancer. They have won and lost awards, they’ve created fundraising ideas that are now staples for multiple teams...not just their own. They have recruited new communities to join Relay...and this year, instead of adding that community to their own team - they suggested to the community - that they be their own team.

[2018/07/29 10:46]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): They host an annual 3-day event where they combine the attraction of new residents from entertainers groupies with an opportunity for all teams to participate and earn their own fundraising dollars
[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This year, they brought not one, not two, but THREE DEPARTMENTS from Linden Lab to actively raise money for Relay For Life.

[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Each year, they bring dollars in from the real-world - - through event sponsorship and fundraising. They are consistently among the top 2 or 3 fundraising teams every year. They infuse the mission education component into every fundraiser and campsite they build.

[2018/07/29 10:47]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Year after year, season after season, this team remains a steadfast rock of Relay For Life of Second Life. They give of themselves 100% every year - always wanting to do more...to be better than they were last year. I am very proud to offer the 2018 Gordy Klatt Award to the Relay Rockers.

[2018/07/29 10:48]  Nuala Maracas: **** ~~~~~~~~ RELAY ROCKERS   GORDY KLATT AWARD  ~~~~~~~~~******
[2018/07/29 10:48]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting introducing Nuala
[2018/07/29 10:49]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala has led us through the Relay Refresh and into the Relay Renaissance
[2018/07/29 10:51]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): (pre-recorded clip from various people thanking Nuala fr all she has done to support all Relayers and the mission of the ACS to so many)
[2018/07/29 10:55]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting: her tenure may be coming to an end but I will continute to lean on her for friendship and support
[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: THank you all for that, I need a copy. I have the sniffles, that was amazingv and unexpected. Thank you all
[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Nuala: What a year we have had. United We Relay. And we were united to the tune of $205,982 US dollars!  Fantastic!  On Relay weekend 1,099 avatars united to walk 16,333,026 meters, or roughly 2 and a half times around the world, or 9,895 miles! New sneakers for everyone! 

[2018/07/29 10:56]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We had our first Signature Sponsor come on board, Linden Lab, a Real World Sponsor, Seacoast Chevrolet, and our 4 Premier Sponsors Rockcliffe University, RGF Estates, Sol Existence and Bama Breeze Club. Thank you for your support. And of course the Wrap Up sponsor for today - a long time Relay supporter - Entice.  Thank you.

[2018/07/29 10:57]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We had the first official launch of the newly rebranded RelayRadio who broadcast live for over 48 hours on Relay weekend. A huge thank you to all those who were on air bringing us the tunes and information we needed and to those who worked weeks prior to, and all weekend, behind the scenes coordinating the production.

[2018/07/29 10:57]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Sting presented the Gordy Klatt award, and we all know Dr. Gordy Klatt as “the father of relay”.  The founder of Relay, the man who walked the track for 24 hours in Tacoma, Washington in 1985.  Dr. Klatt’s vision during that walk was of teams and people walking around a track for 24 hours to raise big dollars to fight cancer.  The vision, as we know, became a reality. Relay For Life is now the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, held in more than 27 countries around the world, and here we are 33 years later at the wrap up of the American Cancer Society’s largest virtual relay.  I don’t quite think that was in Dr. Klatt’s initial vision, but he did come to see our virtual relay begin in 2005 and continue to grow until he passed from heart failure after battling stomach cancer in 2014.

[2018/07/29 10:58]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What a lot may not know is there is also a “mother of relay”.  Pat Flynn, who in 1985 was a patient of Dr. Klatt’s. She pledged $10 to his walk.  $10 in 1985 was a fairly significant amount. But she couldn’t just leave it at that. That night she went to the track to see what was going on. The gate was locked and she could not get in. But she could see 25 people walking the track with Dr. Klatt. Each had paid $25 to do so for 30 minutes.  Remember $25 was a big amount back then.

[2018/07/29 10:59]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): She went home, tossed and turned, finally getting up to call the local paper, telling them they were missing out on a story, something really special was happening at the high school track and they needed to report on it.  Something inside her told her she had to go back to the track.  At 1am she went back and she kept her watch from outside the gate watching lap after lap, hour after hour.  The local paper did cover the story by the way. 

[2018/07/29 10:59]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): 2 months later Dr. Klatt called her and shared how he felt such a wonderful spirit on the track that night.  He asked her to become part of the committee he was forming. To turn this into a team event for the next year. With all her other responsibilities, Pat said her head said no, but her heart got in the way and said yes and helped plan what would be the first official Relay For Life Team Event.  30 years later, Pat Flyyn said she could still feel the overwhelming spirit that was on that relay track for the very first relay.
[2018/07/29 11:00]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Patt Flynn passed away this year  a the age of 80. She was suffering from kidney failure and was on dialysis, but she never stopped Relaying.  Her son travelled with her for the past 4 years from place to place to meet the people around the world who she’s had an impact on.  She was the details person of Relay. She trained thousands of relay volunteers like yourselves.  She formed the very first Relay team. She helped turn an idea into a worldwide movement.

[2018/07/29 11:00]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Why did I just share that history with you? Because of the spirit, because of the passion, because of the heart both Dr. Klatt and Pat Flynn felt. They got to see and experience first hand the very first Relay For Life event. They saw first hand how it affected others. They  believed in Relay. They believed in the people at relay. They believed in the Spirit of Relay. They believed Relay For Life could go on to raise millions of dollars to fight cancer, and they were right, but it did not go on to raise millions of dollars, it has gone on to raise over 5 billion dollars to fight cancer. 

[2018/07/29 11:01]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Not everyone they came across jumped on the Relay bus and sometimes it took some convincing, but mostly it  only took bringing them to Relay weekend, and those people were hooked.  And that is what you, as relay volunteers, need to continue to do. Remember the feeling of your first Relay weekend. The excitement, the commadary, the fun.  Carry those feelings with your spirit, your heart, your passion for Relay, out to the Second Life Community, and perhaps into the non-virtual community. Find communities who have not yet experienced Relay For Life in Second Life, and yes, they are out there.  Invite them to one of your team meetings, arrange a get together with the community leaders and talk about Relay, invite them to Kick Off in 2019, invite them to Relay weekend. Invite them to participate however they can.  You,as Relay volunteers are the future vision of the virtual Relay.  

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Jade Lily had a virtual vision in 2005 when she organized the first Relay For Life of Second Life event and in 2016 invited Fayandria Foley, whom we affectionately refer to as the “virtual mother of Relay” to take the Relay For LIfe of Second Life, find the people with the passion, whose hearts say yes, and plant the seeds, nuture and set the foundation to allow our virtual relay to grow into what is has become today.

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): My role in the virtual relay has gone from a team captain in 2005 to an event chair in 2017 & 2018, and every role in between over the years and I still feel humbled by the work Jade and especially Fayandria did for the Relay For Life of Second Life.  I have volunteered with so many many people over the years. Some still here, some have moved on.  But all shared a passion for Relay and the desire to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the world in the fight against cancer. 

[2018/07/29 11:02]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): I believe you can always ask and find people to do things for you, but the passionate ones will step up without being asked and do things WITH you.

[2018/07/29 11:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To everyone who stepped up to help with the various tasks this year, thank you all for your dedication and passion to volunteer for our amazing virtual Relay.  To those I shared the leadership with the past 2 years, Leala, Grace, Random, MamaP, Nikki,and from 2010 Tay ...what an amazing bunch of ladies you all are. Each bringing your own unique skills to Relay to make it a better event.  I have learned from each and every one of you. Thank you for that opportunity. Thank you for all you did and will do for the Relay For Life of Second Life.

[2018/07/29 11:03]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To those I consider my second life family, Trader, Arizona, Xyza, Mady, Geddy, Otter, Fuzz,  Ever, thank you for giving me the past 2 years by taking on some extra responsibilities, being there to help when I asked, and always having time when I needed to talk. 

[2018/07/29 11:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): To the eternal newb, our ACS Staff Partner, Stingray Raymaker - gosh I don’t know what to say.   You have the excitement of a 5 year old, the drive and determination of a great leader, and the passion for Relay that truly does come from the heart.  From the moment I handed you your first bag of Tim Horton’s coffee in 2008, I knew you were a special guy.  You are kind, fair, honest, and dedicated, with a great sense of humour.  Thank you for everything you have taught me. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me in SL and in Real Life.  Don’t ever change.  Relay, you are very lucky to have him leading you.
[2018/07/29 11:04]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): And to each and every relayer thank you for the great memories, the laughter, the friendships. We are one big family!

[2018/07/29 11:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): As my time as chair comes to a close after 2 wonderful years, here are my final words to all relayers who can hear my voice, and hopefully carried to those who can’t.  We are, YOU are, part of 3.5 million survivors, caregivers, patients, volunteers, advocates and researchers doing everything within our power to save lives.  Stand proud of what you do, what you accomplish, what your team accomplishes.

[2018/07/29 11:05]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly):
Pat Flynn once said “your goals are dreams with deadlines”.  Our dream, Dr. Katt’s dream, Pat Flynn’s dream was to find an end to cancer.  So work together on this dream, not against each other.  Whether it was your team's dollar or not should not make a bit of difference. Who does what, who gets what, who raises what, should not matter.  Celebrate each other's individual and team successes for every linden or dollar raised WILL help someone. Your passion and spirit for Relay are what matter.

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): We are talking about changing lives, celebrating lives, and giving people more birthdays.  We cannot settle for anything less than doing it together. We dream big because we need to. That is how we beat cancer, by becoming bigger, better, stronger, united.

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Cancer Changes Everything….. So Can You

[2018/07/29 11:06]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): My name is Nuala Maracas and I am a relayer!!

[2018/07/29 11:07]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Song - I Believe             Nikki Yankovsky
[2018/07/29 11:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Trader: Congratualations to all of our winners
[2018/07/29 11:10]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): What an honor to be a part of such a wonderful organization
[2018/07/29 11:11]  Kitty Gumbo (prettykitty.gumbo): great job Sandie
[2018/07/29 11:11]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): Coming up next will be two hours of live music, first  will be Shaye Dezno and the 2nd hour will be David Csiszer
[2018/07/29 11:12]  Sandie Slate (sandie.loxingly): This concludes the 2018 Wrap-Up Ceremony


Transcript provided in announcement by Sandy Loxingly
Pictures from Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan

The Relay Wrap-Up

By Bixyl Shuftan

"All good things must come to an end." That old saying was most likely on the minds of many of the Relayers as they gathered in the Relay dAlliez sim on Sunday August 14 for the final event for the 2016 Relay for Life season. Since March, the various teams and individuals had been raising funds for the American Cancer Society, the high point being the Relay Weekend in mid-July. And now, it was time to bring the season to a close with one last event.

The location of the event was located down a walkway leading from the entry point of the sim, decorated on both sides with trees filled with pinkish-red leaves. Getting to the area where the event was held, most of the people were on a brick patio with a few on seats at the back end. In the front was a stage done in shades of pink and purple, with the "Once Upon a Cure" logo in the back. On the stage were four stools for members of the Committee, but only three people: Nuala Maracas, Leala Spire, and Random  Padar. In front of the fourth was a cardboard cutout of Stingray Raymaker, whom was talking over the radio stream.

There were a number of announcements made at the Wrap-Up, of which the transcript and a video went up on the Newser on Monday. The total amount raised this season was announced: 59,584,580 Linden dollars, or $238,338 USD. The theme for next year was also announced: "Passport to Hope." Confidence was expressed that the teams would have no trouble coming up with events and builds to reflect the theme next year.

Several teams had moved up  a level in fundraising since the Relay Weekend.

 Rising Star: Relay Pranksters

Bronze: Frank Sinatra and Company, Team Mingan-For Relay For Life Of SL, Eureka High RFL, Dragons for a Cure, RadioActiveAir, Giant Snail Relay

Silver: Dreamin' in Purple, Team Live Wire

Gold: CyberNuts RFL, Walking Tall For A Cure, Friends For A Cure, Madd Vibes, Too Tough To Die, E&S Breedables, The Quest for a Cure

Platinum: Fighting Sunflowers, Circle of Life, Second Life Cheerleading Squad, Sunbeamers

Jade: Meli's Maniacs

Sapphire: Purple Tears, Sail For Life

The winners of several awards were also announced.

Top Team Fundraising Award - Overall:

1st: Relay Rockers - 2,834,856 Lindens / $11,339 USD

2nd: Goreans In Relay For Life - 2,079,125 Lindens  / $8,317 USD

3rd: Harmony Of Hope - 1,927,177 Lindens / $7,709 US

Top Team Convio Raising: 1st - Harmony Of Hope $4,390 USD, 2nd -  Two Moon Paradise $3,924 USD, 3rd - Relay Rockers $2,610 USD

Top Individual Convio Raising: 1st - Sunshine Zhangsun and Cathy10 Longoria $1,400 USD each, 2nd -  TS Darrow $1,290 USD, 3rd -  Trader Whiplash $1,090 USD,

Beacon Award : Individual - Shiran Sabra, Team - Aether Chronoauts Tiny Steps

Gordy Klatt Award: Nikki Mathieson

The Spirit of Relay Award, Team, went to the Cure Chasers

"This team goes out there, year after year, and not only work steadily to raise funds at their own events, but help energize and inspire this entire Relay.  The team remains above the fray and is always assisting other teams and individuals.  They reach outside their team and outside of Relay to hold fundraising events and raise awareness of the American Cancer Society. This team took a new team under their wing this year, made them feel welcomed and supported and always had a team member at one of that team's events.  This team also stepped up and helped host an event for a team when that team was unable to be in world due to travel and family commitments. They cheered all teams in the volunteer group as each team met a goal.  Their constant cheering trackside for people walking the track helped keep everyone awake on Relay weekend.  For 9 years this team has been one of the most consistent in fundraising, participation, support and outreach. Attend an event anywhere and you will find Seinna, Alexia and other team members in attendance. They exemplified the the one team spirit. They are truly one of the foundations of this Relay."

Friends For a Cure received an Honorable Mention.

"A new team who wrapped themselves up in our Relay and carried an amazing bright torch as their part in the crusade. Friendly, so kind and loving within the group and outside of it. They represented our Relay with a spirit that showed the EXAMPLE of what the Relay spirit is. Amazing team! They attended every class, every Town Hall and if you went to any team event you could find them there!  They have ties to the live music part of SL and were able to spread the word further than ever in that genre and we thank them for that.. deeply. I'm so glad they've joined our group and am proud to call them Relay Family."

The Spirit of Relay Award, Individual, went to Dianna Wycliffe

"This year's winner is well known in Relay for her generosity of spirit and her abundance of relay passion.  With tireless effort, she helps literally every single person who asks for or needs help with anything, from finding their way to events, to setting up convio, or just helping run team events.  When teams needed event ideas, she was there  to offer some, when a relayer was feeling down, she was there to lift their spirits.  She led her team to success in both convio and linden fundraising donations. Whether getting eggs ready for Easter, scaring the bejeebies out of everyone in an early Halloween event, or introducing relayers to a special  Pet Relay event, she never stopped.  She volunteered as a Fundraising Advisor this year to help new teams learn the ropes.  And with all this going on, she still found time to be a familiar face at almost all the other relay teams events with words of encouragement and praise. She has been a fervent supporter of RFL in SL for years, talking on leadership responsibilities and providing a continuing vision for her team, Harmony of Hope."

There were two new awards given out this year. One was "Change Makers."

"The Change Makers Award Is a celebration of individuals who have made a difference to Relay weekend. They did something during Relay weekend that grabbed attention. An outstanding act of kindness or a remarkable contribution, memory or laugh to the Event Day. Persons who brought humor, understanding, camaraderie, dedication and a strong sense of Relay Spirit to the event. These individuals will bring new guests to share the Relay weekend experience, they’ll promote unity and spirit throughout."

Those awarded "Change Makers" were Eclair Martinek, Ricka Deerhunter, Fuzzball Ortega, Gem Sunkiller, Secret Rage, Madonna Daehlie. There was also an honorable mention to Sue Peregrine, "Her name has come up many many times for what she took AWAY from Relay weekend…...lag!  The nominations sum it up best…'lag free for the first time in the history of Relay.'”

The other new award was "Community Champion," which went to two individuals and a group. OD Designs was given the award as although they formed Relay teams in the past, "This year that team chose not to make a team but instead play host to a number of team events." The first individual was Zander Greene, "He is influential in the amazing success of The Fantasy Faire.  He has served on the telethon team that covered our Relay for years.  He has used his building skills in making ACS Island what it is."

The second individual given the award was a surprise, "Our second award goes to BIXYL SHUFTAN and the SL Newser.  Bixyl is a member of the Sunbeamers team but outside of the team Bixyl has been blogging since 2010  about RFL of SL throughout the years with his SL Newser. Bixyl we appreciate all the time you devote to highlight RFL of SL in your Newser."

The list of winners can also be found on the RFL of SL awards page.

* * * * *

Over the past few days, I've gotten no shortage of congratulations for the Community Chamption award, including from real-life friends and family who found out. I've very proud and thankful for the award. But a couple things should be noted. One is that the award wasn't just to me, but also the Second Life Newser: a team of reporters. A number of members, such as Gemma Cleanslate whom has been part of the Relay for years, and Becky Shamen whom has become part of my team the Sunbeamers, have helped out in coverage of the Relay in ways large and small.

And then of course is the first part of the award's title: community. The Sunbeamer's community, the Sunweavers, have been supporters of the Relay of Life in Second Life for years. Members such as Alleara Snoodle, Lomgren Smalls, Dusk Griswold, Shockwave Yarreach, Cynthia Farshore, Skylark Lefavre, the late Artistic Fimicloud, our chieftess Rita Mariner, and others have contributed much season after season. It's a community in Second Life which I feel proud to be a part of.

With another year behind us, the Relayers can look back fondly at the events, and take pride in helping fund more and better cancer treatments, and bring the day when finally there's a cure for all cancers a little closer.

"Go Relay!"

Bixyl Shuftan

The 2015 Relay Season Officially Ends: The Relay "Wrap-Up"

By Bixyl Shuftan

On August 16, the five month long Relay for Life Fundraising season officially came to a close with the "Wrap-Up." The event this year was a little different as it took place in the Rose Theater, the members of the Comittee up on stage and others in the audience seating. T1 Radio provided stream coverage for those whom couldn't be at the sim.

"How beautiful is this? I love the Rose Theatre," Random Darrow spoke of the location, "We're gonna jump right into it and Thank you Lisa Valentino of Angel Manor to host our wrap up ceremony at this beautiful Rose Theater!   Lisa has been a huge supporter of RFL and extremely generous for providing us with with this magnificent venue."Stingray Raymaker announced that the total ammount of cash raised for this year's Relay Season had reached $275,000 US Dollars.

It was announced PrettyKitty Gumbo would be stepping down from the Committee, though would continue to be a Relay volunteer for her team. Lomgren Smalls would be taking Dwen Dooley's place as the Tech Lead, "don't worry, the kiosk size will not change." Nikki Mathieson will be their Mega Events Director.

Leala Spire and Ariel Goldrozen, whom were wearing pink at the ceremony, would be the lead and co-lead in planning the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event in October.

Several teams had risen in level since the Relay Weekend. Team DRMC, Little Yoshiwara, House Of Fallen Angels had reached Bronze. LA Designs and The Future is Now had reached Silver. Dreamin' in Purple, Giant Snail Relay, Soul Sensations, Walking Tall For A Cure, Alpha Sigma Omega Sorority, and the Seventh Legion MC had reached Gold. The Circle of Life had moved up to Platinum. The Second Life Coast Guard moved up to Saphire. Sail for Life moved up to Emerald. Harmony of Hope reached Ruby level.

The winner of the "Swag Bag" award was TS Darrow.

The winner of the Best Man and Maid of Honor Award was Bella Zeplin. "Events are hard for her to attend but she supports the team as strongly as she can especially on Relay weekend and has for years. This year was a special one.  Not only did she arrange her schedule to be able to be with us all weekend but ... Bella would cheer everyone that passed by all Relay weekend and took the extra step of IMing many of them.  If they responded to her she took the time to not only get to make a new friend of each but that lap and any other laps she saw them she would run out on to the track and offer hugs to each one.  She would express her appreciation and admiration to the survivors and caregivers and would thank them for all they do.  She wanted to make sure they all felt very loved and honored."

Others mentioned as deserving of the award were BruceWaynne Resident, Sienna Thor, Oldesoul Eldemar, Saiyge Lotus, Trader1 Whiplash, Rowena Dubrova, Princess Kate (KateLynn Inglewood), DJ Rock And Roll, Cuddly Waffle, Sidonie Calberg, Brennie Slade, Kylie Briner, Cathy Longoria, Sasha Fairywren, Veruca Tammas, Rendal Constanineau, Sylisan Resident, Sandie Turbo, Random Padar, Cajuntadpole, Gem Sunkiller, Dwen Dooley, Chevelley Resident (Silentghost), Tahisha Fairplay, Fuzzball Ortega, Rheata Resident (Rhea), Darkstone Aeon, Cashew Writer, PrettyKitty Gumbo, Dawnbeam Dreamscape, RockySlate Resident, and Savannah Coronet and the Hell on Heels dancers.

The winners of the "Smell the Roses/Clown Award" were Duna Gant, Solkide Auer, Thathy Slade, Brucewaynee Resident, "Whoever 'The BOX' was," Melodie Jigsaw, Catalina Staheli, Kira Vel (kiralette kelley), Mr. Zacky (zack vedrina), Éclair Martinek, Lomgren Smalls, Fuzzball Ortega, Rowena Dabrovna. Brayden Marquis (brayden composer) Others got other awards ...

Sylisan Resident (Sigh Underwood), the "Magical And Fae-bulous" award.

Nayomi Naidoo, the "In All Of Relay's Corner" award.

Rheata Resident, or Rhea, the "Rhea Of Light" award.

OldeSoul Resident (Eldemar), the "Our Beloved Bobcat" award.

Fuzzball Ortega, the "King Of Comedy" award.

Chevelley Resident (Silentghost), the "She's Not Bad, She's Just Drawn That Way" Award.

Dwen Dooley the "Mad Scientist" Award.

Tahisha Fairplay, the "Purple Power" award.

Sarandel (Sara) Llewellyn, the "Songstress Of Relay" award.

Whisper Fairy Gravois (Jihan Wonder), the "Adorable Fairy" award.

Nuala Maracas, the Fireworks Award

"At the closing of Relay 2015, during the last victory lap, Nuala was given wearable fireworks which she put on  while she walked the track.  These fireworks are very vibrant, many in number, and explode high in the air.  After about 30 minutes of walking through 6 or 7 sims, stopping to talk to people, crashing 5 or 6 times, and being up for 30 hours, Nuala decided she had enough of these fireworks going off all over the sims and causing her to lag more than usual.   So, apparently, she asked in committee chat,  if whomever put out the fireworks in all the sims could turn them off.  To which she was told ..no one put out any fireworks, is anyone near you that has on the wearable ones?   The light bulb went off .... it was Nuala herself who still had on the wearable firework... and she said.... 'no wonder I kept seeing fireworks every where I went!' "

For Top Team Convio, or website, fundraising, the team that raised the most via the Convio

website, third place went to Team Shadow ($2135), second place to the Relay Rockers ($2823), and first place to Harmony of Hope ($3815) (at the ceremony, they accidentally listed Sail for Life as third place).

For top individual Convio fundrasing, third place went to Cathy Longoria ($975), second place went to TS Darrow ($1035), and first place went to Trader Whiplash ($1205).

The convio Website Participation Award, third place went to Holocluck Henly, second place to

TS Darrow, and first place to Trader Whiplash

The Top Team Fundraising Award, third place went to the Goreans in Relay for Life, whom raised 2,645,046L or $10,580.00. Second Place went to Harmony of Hope, who raised 300,5307L or $12,021.00. First place was the Relay Rockers, who raised 3,767,925L or $15,072.00.

The Gordy Klatt Award, named for the founder of the Relay for Life, went to Team Strange Journeys, "This  team continued all season long on a mission to push our guidelines with creative thinking and heartfelt passion for Relay."

For the Spirit of Relay Awards, the team award went to the Second Life Cheerleading Squard, "They entered this season with a smile and finished it off with a huge round of cheers - this same attitude is how they approach strangers on and off the track offering friendship and support where it is needed most. They attend many of the Relay events, and their personal stories are inspiration to all." The individual award went to Mary Teodosio, "Her creativity and passion for Relay was also displayed in her making two homemade quilts to be auctioned off!  Mary attended many of your team events as well as included you in hers."

This years Keeper of the Torch: Melodie Jigsaw

The Community Chamption Award went to Sue Peregrine, Elizabeth Tinsley, Elrik Merlin, and Melony Jigsaw.

Except for the Clown and Best Man/Maid of Honor Awards, Committee Members are not elgible for Awards

The theme for next year's Relay Season was announced: Once Upon a Cure.

Of the theme, Stingray told the crowd, "This theme can be special because, it isn’t saying that the cure is a fairy tale or that a cancer patient’s journey isn’t ‘real.’ When we look at this theme, what makes me excited comes from the question: Why do we tell stories?...not just fairy tales...but all types of stories? Remember that great stories, even fairy tales, last the test of time because they’re meaningful and they provide value. Fairy tales function to address those big life questions, to help us to face life’s struggles, to help us understand morality and responsibility. But more than that, this theme of Once Upon A Cure gives us the chance to highlight our own stories. What will be the story of Relay For Life of Second Life in 2016? What will be YOUR chapter in that story? We love hearing the stories of our cancer survivors, and we wipe away tears when we read or listen to the Why I Relay/Why Do You Relay segments. Next year - I’m looking forward to Once Upon A Cure because I can’t wait to tell, read, watch, listen, and learn from all of your stories!"

Random concluded, "You are ALL the singular pieces that unite with so much passion, dedication & creativity to form this grand MOSAIC we call RFL in SL and I am honored to be amongst you. The Future is Now , but I want to personally Thank You for your commitment to a bigger & better tomorrow and I look forward to working with you all again in 2016!" And with her words, the ceremony ended to the song "We are family" taking the radio stream.


Cuddly Waffle took a transcript of the event, which was used in writing this article (and can be read in it's entirety after it).

And so, the 2015 Relay for Life Season officially came to a close, but this does not mean an end to fundraising for the American Cancer Society and events related to the Relay. In a few days will be the Alliez Mysterio Award event. And there will be events such as the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event in October. And last but not least, the Relay for Life in InWorldz fundraising season has started, which will end in October.

"Until there's a cure."

Bixyl Shuftan