In its continued effort to raise awareness and support for the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life Second Life has taken a lead from it's real life counterpart and is beginning a new series of focused fund raising events. We are therefore pleased to announce the inauguration of the For Life in Second Life program.
For Life events are intended to focus on specific interest areas and allow their followers to plan and hold an approved event to support the Relay For Life of Second Life. For Life events are not intended to be team related, but instead are festival events in support of Relay For Life of Second Life. With the diverse nature of the virtual communities in Second Life and the abilities of the platform, the scope of For Life in Second Life events is limitless.
For Life events such as Bark For Life have been held in Relay communities across the United States. Bark For Life celebrates, in a Relay format , the companionship, comfort and therapeutic benefit provided by pets. With the addition of For Life the American Cancer Society is able to reach a new or expanded audience for its programs and resources, and the fund raising that helps support them.
The first of these For Life events planned is Sail For Life. The event, chaired by Chad Swanson and Aislyn Keynes, will center around Second Life's vibrant sailing community. Sail For Life will include Regattas, Sailing displays and lessons, auctions and social events. The Yacht Clubs and other communities around the Blake Sea area of the grid will all be welcomed to participate. The event is scheduled to take place in June. Other events are currently being planned, including the building and live music communities.
Trader Whiplash, who is well known for his many roles in Relay For Life of Second Life is the 2010 Chair of For Life. The former Mission and Corporate Chair and 2009 Spirit of Relay Award co-recipient is very excited about the new opportunities presented by For Life . “Second Life presents so many different areas with in which we can work to support the American Cancer Society and with this new format we are given a new avenue with which to approach and encourage participation. " Trader, a leukemia survivor, states. "I look forward to working with the many groups who make up this amazing community. We hope that with the addition of For Life events the Relay For Life of Second Life will increase not only its all important fund raising results, but will bring more and more members of our community in contact with the efforts and programs of the Society and its continuing fight for a cure for cancer".
Stingray Raymaker, the American Cancer Society Staff Partner for Relay for Life in Second Life agrees. “We are so very excited introduce this new fund raising opportunity to Second Life. We are fortunate to have a great volunteer, Trader Whiplash to spearhead this venture into new horizons, and this is a great step forward for both Relay For Life and Second Life. We hope that the For Life concept will help to open new doors for various communities and groups within Second Life to learn, participate and feel welcome to the world of Relay For Life. This demonstrates that there are ways for all types of different communities in Second Life to join the Relay Nation in the fight against cancer. "
The American Cancer Society and the Relay For Life of Second Life recognize the capacity of the For Life program to engage new participants and capitalize on the unique ability of Second Life to host these For Life events. For Life in Second Life welcomes any interest group in Second Life to explore the possibility of hosting their own event. Interested groups can contact Trader1 Whiplash in Second Life (trader@t1radio.com) for program requirements and standards, and additional information.