Relay For Life 2006: We've Only Just Begun!
Phi Theta KappaŽ continues to focus on "Conquering Cancer" for the spring 2006 term. Chapters are strongly encouraged to continue their cancer-related activities in one or more of the four focus areas: Prevention/Early Detection, Advocacy, Fundraising and Service/Volunteerism. Our official partner for our International Service Program is the American Cancer Society.
Our Conquering Cancer Service Program has been Phi Theta Kappa's most successful partnership with more than 766 chapters participating. Phi Theta Kappans have raised an astonishing $1.3 million for the American Cancer Society, exceeding our goal of $1 million.
Many chapters have been involved in starting a Relay For LifeŽ or have been so closely involved in their community's Relay that they are reluctant to sever ties. Relay For Life is an event that brings communities together to fight a common enemy - cancer. And Phi Theta Kappa is a vital part of that community.
While the Society will introduce a new International Service Program in April 2006, Phi Theta Kappa is encouraging chapters to continue to support their local Relay For Life as part of our Society's Civic Engagement initiative.
Relay For Life Fact: Relay For Life was created as an overnight event in 1985 to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps.
As always, chapter members are NOT required to participate in our programs. This will simply be another opportunity for your chapter to put into action Phi Theta Kappa's Service Hallmark.
Start Planning Now!
If your chapter is hosting a Relay For Life
on your campus or is serving on a Relay
Planning Committee, many resources are
available to you to help make the event a
resounding success. The most important
resource is your local American Cancer
Society office. Find your local contact
person by emailing Donna Scoggins at
donna.scoggins@cancer.org.
Each division of the American Cancer Society may offer different resources, so it is important that you work closely with your ACS partner to find and utilize those resources that your division supports. The following resources are samples of those available.
Team Development- Team Captain Meeting Agenda
- Kickoff Agenda
- Kickoff Notes & Checklist
- Relay For Life Videos
- Sample Personal Solicitation Letter
- Sample Sponsorship Letter
- General Relay Publicity Flyer
- Sample Cancer Survivor Recruitment Form
- Sample Entertainment Schedule
- Sample Schedule of Events
- Sample Luminaria Ceremony Program
- Opening & Closing Ceremony Programs
Engaging Cancer Survivors in Relay
Cancer survivors are a symbol of HOPE to those fighting the disease and family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer. Survivors are living proof that survivorship is real and the American Cancer Society is making progress in the battle against cancer.
The ACS recently conducted a participant market study and asked survivors why they did not participate in Relay For Life. The number one reason given was because they were not asked. You can drastically increase volunteers and dollars raised if you remember to ask survivors to participate, especially the ones that are on your college campus. Finding survivors, however, is not an easy task on a college campus. Here are some resources that will help you find survivors:
- Your local ACS office will have survivor contact information for your area as well as a list of their young cancer survivor scholarship recipients.
- Invite survivors to a Relay For Life planning event through a school newspaper ad.
- Faculty and staff - especially student advisors - often know students well and may refer survivors to your chapter. Additionally, this contact could lead you to faculty survivors.
Listen and Understand: Survivors should not feel forced to share their story-they will share when the time is right for them. Get to know them as a person first. Some people are very open to discuss their treatment; others can be ashamed or want to repress the memories. Be aware of the reactions and feelings that survivors experience. Know that you may not reach all the survivors on your campus.
For more information, contact Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford at 601.984.3532, or visit www.ptk.org/service.Relay For Life Fact: One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer within their lifetime. The money raised at Relay funds cancer research, educates your campus and community to help reduce the risk of developing cancer, and allows the American Cancer Society to share information about lifesaving screening procedures that can detect cancer early.
