Volunteers in Brentwood, California completed the third annual Far East County Relay for Life the weekend of June 23-24. This event is remarkable in the annual growth it has expreinced in such a short time. This year over $270,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society with participation from almost 100 walking teams, 181 cancer survivors and many volunteers.

Team registrations were up more than 49 percent this year, as increased community support from residents and local businesses led the fundraising efforts to jump more than 23 percent over last year’s record performance.

Source: Brentwood Press

Like many Relay for Life events all across the country, fundraising drives before the night of relay, campsites and a spirit of team work played into their success. For cancer survivors and families, the luminaria ceremony was of central importance. Besides raising funds for cancer research, the event serves as a way to honor people who have struggled with the disease and a healing process for everyone touched by cancer.

There are a variety of booths that your group can do the night of Relay.

Photo Booth  Offer mementos from the Relay Night. You could create unusual backgrounds, wooden backgrounds with head cutouts or photos with the stars and have look a likes and costumed characters in attendance at certain times. Borrow a digital camera and printer from one of your group members. You can offer photo buttons using supplies such as Badge-a-Minit. Read more… »

The luminaria display and opening ceremony are one of the most important events at Relay. It’s one of the consistent things that all Relay for Life events have Luminarias.

Perhaps you are looking for some creative ideas for the luminarias. Relays often also have HOPE signs, sometimes painted and other times illuminated.

You can find some great luminaria and HOPE sign ideas at Relay.org.

Photo courtesy of Relay Blogger.

Relay for Life is an all night walk-a-thon that benefits cancer research, advocacy and support programs. The program began in 1986 as a benefit for a local chapter of the American Cancer Society. It was later adopted on a national level and relays were planned for many cities all across the United States.

Relay has grown to an international level with events taking place all over the world to benefit other cancer related charities.

International Relay for Life

Australia - The Cancer Council Australia

Canada - Canadian Cancer Society

New Zealand - Cancer Society of New Zealand

United Kingdom - Cancer Research UK

United States - American Cancer Society

I recently stopped by the local ACS office to find out about our local relay. (more about that later). They give team captains a huge packet of information to help them get ready for relay. You get lots of brochures and helpful materials to learn how to be a successful relay team.

One of the cool things in the packet was a small business card size tent card. It has tips on how to raise funds for ACS relay team.

How to Raise $100 in 10 Days:

• Put in your own $10
• Ask your spouse/roommate for $10
• Ask a co-worker for $10
• Two friends for $10
• Ask a relative for $10
• Ask a neighbor for $10
• Ask two people from church for $10
• Even your hairdresser, for a final $10

Find out more about Relay for Life

A big purple toilet can raise funds for your cause? Yes! Dawn Turner-Dupuis wrote in about a fun fundraiser that her Relay for Life team did a few years ago.

The potty fundraiser is unusual, fun and really excites interest among those participating. It’s also great because it takes place over an extended period of time (not just one day) and is easy to plan and particpate in. Read more… »

Normally Relay teams are asked to turn in their funds before the night of the event. But there are still teams that do fundraisers up until and including the night of Relay.

Some fundraisers can take place at the Relay, as long as they are pre-approved by ACS. Here are some fundraising ideas for the weekend of Relay for Life:

1. Food booth - Sell BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, funnel cakes or anything people would like. It’s best if you can find out what other groups are doing so you don’t end up selling the same things!

2. Blow up Obstacle Course - Check party rental places for a blow up obstacle course. It’s like a bounce house but adults AND kids can play. Charge $1 each time someone goes through the course and time them. Have a board with the best times and prizes for the top 3 competitors. Of course let people go through as many times as they want until the cut-off time when you give out the prizes.

3. Do a Jail N Bail or a Luxury Lock-Up the night of relay.

4. Face Painting - Kids love it! Glow in the dark sticks, necklaces or Princess garlands are also good sellers.

5. Carnival Games are always fun!