RELAY FOR LIFE OF THURSTON COUNTY, WA

February 2013

Volume 2, Issue 2

American Cancer Society, Great West Division, Inc.

A Publication For Relay For Life Volunteers and Supporters

CONGRATULATIONS TO PACK THE TRACK SWEEPSTAKES GRAND PRIZE WINNER

RELAY FOR LIFE OF THURSTON COUNTY, WA

The 2013 Pack The Track Sweepstakes was designed to bring more people to Relay For Life, and to further our efforts in the fight against cancer. During the four-week participant drive, the Great West Division registered 19,182 new participants, 2825 new teams and raised $1,112,595! The Relay For Life of Thurston County, WA, is our grand prize winner and will receive an Event Quality Booster Package that includes:

A Relay For Life branded event tent Special recognition stickers for all registered participants One-of-a-kind survivor and caregiver gifts for your event Special day-of event volunteer support from Will Enterprises

(RFL t-shirt vendor) Committee strategy call with a Relay superstar

Thank you to everyone who helped Pack The Track in 2013!

350 is Out....400 is In!

Cancer death rates are moving in the right direction.

This January, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status

of Cancer, 1975-2009, the annual Cancer Statistic article, and

Cancer Facts & Figures allows us to celebrate that we're now

saving more than 400 lives a day! That's right ? stop using the

"350 lives a day" that we were so fond of, and start using the

We're Saving much better "400 lives a day."

It's the number of lives

represented by a 20 percent decline in the overall cancer

350 400

death rate in the US from its peak in 1991 through 2009.

Lives Daily!

This historic decline is due, in part, to the work the American Cancer Society has done to explain the link between smoking and tobacco, educate people on cancer prevention activities, advocate for stronger tobacco taxes and smoke-free policies, and take advantage of lifesaving screenings ? and much more.

The success of these programs validates the hard work of Relayers around the globe. Thank you for your tremendous efforts!

gwrelayrumblings@

Join the Relay Nation!

The newest way for Relayers to connect with others

Relay Nation connects you with other Relay For Life participants like never before. The global online community gives you the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics, share resources, and form groups to stay connected for any Relay For Life activity, event or project. Relay Nation is available to all participants including committee members, team captains, team members and event staff. Become a member of the community today and explore all that the Relay Nation has to offer.

Many documents referenced in this edition are available for download on .

Page 1

Dr. Klatt Inspires

The founder of Relay For Life, Dr. Gordy Klatt, provided an inspirational message at the 2013 Mega Events Experience. Leadership from Relays that raised $200,000 or more in 2012 gathered in Seattle, last month, for this year's event. Check out this video of Dr. Klatt's heartfelt, motivating speech.

Click here to view the video

Committee Corner

An awesome new resource at your fingertips

2013 Will be an incredible year for the American Cancer Society and the Relay Nation. In addition to celebrating the organization's 100th birthday, we are ready to Dream Big, Hope Big and Relay Big as one unified and energized American Cancer Society team to make this the biggest and best Relay season yet!

Relay Nation has launched the Relay Big Impact Kit! It's an awesome resource that focuses on four priority areas. Login to Relay Nation and download each of the four Relay Big Resource Kits!

Retention: Exceed the current retention average of 64.4% by retaining more teams, participants, and committee members. Download Kit

Recruitment: Recruit more new teams, and increase the number of teams with survivors on them. Download Kit

Fundraising: Increase the fundraising average of $0 participants to at least $50, and get them closer to the minimum fundraising expectation of $100. Download Kit

Customer Experience: Increase customer experience scores by placing a focus on caregiver activities and team captain recognition and appreciation. Download Kit

Each kit is jam-packed with useful Relay resources that support the focuses. Check them out, share them with your fellow committee members, and make a commitment to Relay Big in 2013!

100 Years of Saving Lives

Celebrating our 100th Birthday on May 22

During the last century, we've led the way in saving lives and creating more birthdays.

Today, 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer are

surviving for at least five years. In fact, more than 400 people a day in the US are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to the disease.

We've contributed to a 20%

decline in cancer death rates in the US since early 1990s. That means we've helped save nearly 1.2 million people during that time.

We've played a role in nearly

every cancer research breakthrough in recent history.

We know from 100 years of saving lives that silence won't finish this fight--only action will. Our 100th birthday gives us an opportunity to be loud and active in the battle to end cancer.

Let's make noise by continuing to ensure lifesaving cancer research get's funded.

Let's get loud by making sure people facing cancer have the help they need, like a free place to stay during treatment and a ride to get there.

Let's amplify our efforts to keep fighting for everyone to have access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more

We can't do this alone. To get loud, we need everyone in every community to join us to today. Now is the time to finish the fight. Make some noise by taking action now--make a commitment to honor the 100th birthday, and raise $100!

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Pack The Track Special Participant Birthday Twist

During the week of February 11-17, Relay participants who raised at least $100 were entered into a special Pack The Track contest. The following participants were randomly

selected, and will receive a special ACS Birthday Surprise!

Amy Newfeld Cindi Harr Danielle Stovall Mary Schramm Debbie Jacobs Donna Mosher Kathy Young Cindy Lara Cole Williamson Kathy Williams

RFL of East Like High School, WA RFL of Columbia Basin, WA RFL of Campbell County, WY RFL of Cavecreek, AZ RFL of Latah County, ID RFL of North Valley, AZ RFL of Estes Park, CO FL of Fernley, NV RFL of Juanita-Woodinville, WA RFL of Enumclaw, WA

gwrelayrumblings@

Page 2

Be a Superstar Fundraiser in 2013

Recent Relay For Life data tells us that a large number of Relay For Life participants raise no money at all. This year, the American Cancer Society has identified an increase in participant fundraising totals as a key priority. Perhaps a key challenge is that people don't know where to begin. We think all Relayers--committee members, team captains, survivors, caregivers and participants--have an opportunity be a superstar fundraisers in 2013!

THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF RELAY FUNDRAISING

The number one reason that people don't donate is because they are never asked. Fighting cancer is a cause that is easy to rally around and one that many people will gladly support.

Be creative in your fundraising efforts, and have fun!

Individual Fundraising

Make a list of potential donors. Include everyone you know and send them each a letter or email.

Make a list of potential

donors. Determine if a personal visit, a letter or an email will work best.

Tell them if you're walking

in honor of someone.

Explain why the cause

is important to you.

A personal, heartfelt

message will get the best response.

Team Fundraising

Teams can have a lot of fun organizing activities and events to raise money.

There are lots of team fundraising ideas, but we've found that services that people would already spend money on are most

successful. Some ideas are:

Movie nights Garage sales Spaghetti dinners Car washes

Online Fundraising

Use your official Relay dashboard to send emails and track your progress. Send an email to friends, family members, coworkers and oth-

ers to ask for their support.

Tell them if you're walking in

honor of someone.

Be sure to include links that lead back

to your personal fundraising page.

Invite them to join your team, or walk

with you at this year's Relay.

gwrelayrumblings@

On-Site Fundraising

Fundraising at your Relay campsite is "icing on the cake" for you and your team. It helps create a fun, carnival

type atmosphere. Some ideas are:

Face painting Lap beads Karaoke Silent Auctions Bake Sales

Page 3

Illuminating HOPE

Luminaria are Relay For Life's most iconic image. Whether bags line the track or spell HOPE in the stands, they represent all those we have lost to cancer and all those battling the disease.

Providing someone the opportunity to purchase a luminaria is a perfect way to help them become emotionally engaged in the American Cancer Society's mission and help them understand the value of Relay For Life.

Help us remember and honor all those affected by cancer by including luminaria donations in your fundraising efforts.

Login to Relay Nation and download some great luminaria resources:

How to use Luminaria as a fundraiser

Luminaria Donation Poster

Luminaria Donation Poster Fundraising Tip Sheet

Every dollar you raise by collecting donations for luminaria will be counted in your individual and team's fundraising totals, helping you to reach your fundraising goals faster. Just by securing 10 uminaria donations, you can reach your first fundraising milestone of $100 and ensure you receive your Relay For Life commemorative t-shirt!

Calling All Survivors and Caregivers!

We all know Relay For Life can be a healing and inspirational event for survivors and caregivers. This year, the American Cancer Society has made a commitment to promote Relay For Life through channels that will reach survivors and caregivers like never before!

Specifically, ACS will share information about Relay For Life via the following:



Cancer Survivor's Network



Various email newsletters and

social media promotions.

The messages will focus on inviting people to be part of Relay, and to join others who are supported, celebrated and dedicated to finishing the fight against cancer.

Keep packing the track. Invite any survivors or caregivers you may know to join you at this year's Relay!

gwrelayrumblings@

The How and Why of Online Fundraising

The Relay For Life fundraising sites make it easier than ever to raise money to support the American Cancer Society's life -saving mission.

When you sign up online, you can:

Personalize your own fundraising web page by adding a photo, video and story.

Access an email tool that allows you to invite everyone you know to join your team or support you with a donation. There are even sample messages to help you get started!

Collect donations using our secure, personalized web site

Track individual fundraising progress as well as the progress of your team members.

Send weekly emails to keep your team members motivated.

Send fun e-cards to your friends and family.

During the last Relay season, more than 195,000 Great West Division participants registered online, and our Relays raised more than $9,120,000 using the online fundraising tools!

If you need assistance using the website, we've created four short "how-to" videos to help:

How to Sign Up

How to set up your Personal Fundraising Page

How to Send Emails

How To Donate

These videos and other online resources can be found by clicking on the "Online Help" button at the very bottom of your local Relay For Life website.

Page 4

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life appreciates your team's fundraising efforts. We understand the commitment you make, as well as the time and energy you spend in raising money to Fight Back against cancer. When your team reaches the Rising Star ($1,000) Fundraising Club Level, you'll receive a Team Fundraising Club sign. Each time you reach another level, your staff partner or event chair will update your sign with a new sticker (even during the event). Be sure to turn in your team's fundraising dollars at Team Captain meetings and Bank Nights, and plan an on-site fundraiser for your Relay For Life event!

Your commitment to fundraise is not a small one, and we appreciate your efforts in asking your friends, family, co-workers, and community for donations in the fight against cancer. The Individual Fundraising Club program was developed to motivate and award volunteers for fundraising excellence. Review the list of levels and award gifts, and work towards your favorite prize! Most items are branded with the Relay For Life logo, which helps promote our mission within your community every time you use or wear the item.

The Nationwide Grand Club Program is a recognition and loyalty program for our individual Relay For Life participants who raise a minimum of $1000 (per Relay season) in the fight against cancer.

When you raise $1000, you'll receive an email welcoming you in to the elite club, and the opportunity to redeem a Grand Club Shirt! Community participants receive a Grand Club Polo, and college participants receive a Grand Club long sleeved T-shirt. The email will include a coupon code and website address for redemption. At that time you can provide your size and designate a shipping address.

Great West Division participants who raise $2500 will also receive an "All Star" Vest. Participants who raise $10,000 will receive a "Premier Club" jacket!

*Note: After online and offline fundraising dollars are entered and verified on your fundraising page.

gwrelayrumblings@

Page 5

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download