Relay for Life

From Steampunk Wiki

The Relay for Life of Second Life (aka RFL of SL) is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that is an annual event in Caledon and elsewhere in Second Life.

In the words of the RFL of SL website:

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life began in May 1985 when a colorectal surgeon ran around a track in Tacoma, Washington, for 24 hours, raising $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society. Today Relay For Life is held in more than 4,600 communities in the United States and in 23 countries across the globe. To date, Relay For Life has raised more than $1.5 billion to help the Society accelerate the progress against cancer by saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight back against this disease.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

In 2005, the Second Life community, in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, saw fit to re-create a Relay For Life event within the virtual world setting, combining traditional design with new elements afforded by the online social platform. Doing this has allowed the American Cancer Society to reach out to a new demographic, thus expanding their mission. It also enables real people, who might otherwise be physically incapable of participating in a Relay For Life, to get involved in a new way.

Caledon has been a key player and fund raiser in the RFL of SL since its inception, fielding many teams and activities in pursuit of this charity.

2006

Figures for 2006 would be welcomed. Team Caledon was captained by Leosanni Somme.

2007

In the 2007 RFL of SL, Caledon raised L$1,316,032. Team Caledon was captained by Lapin Paris.

2008

The 2008 RFL of SL launched its fundraising on 15 March 2008, and the Relay proper extended over 24 hours for the first time on 19-20 July 2008 across 35 sims. Team Caledon was captained by Erasmus Margulis. Several other teams had Caledonian members, and at least two other teams were captained by Caledonians.

The final totals confirmed that Caledon raised over L$3,000,000. The Relay as a whole raised over L$50 million in-world, plus nearly US$10,000 off-world, a grand total of over US$200,000. This total exceeds by nearly 25% the total for all three previous Relays combined.

Viderian Vollmar's 40 laps, over 300 km, led an overpowering show of support with seven of the top 15 walkers in distance traveled coming from Caledon.