UD Relay for Life

Bone Marrow Drive

2005-05-10T23:07:00.000-03:00

I would like to share this email that I received from a close friend of mine with all of you. Please let me know (comment, email, call) if you would be at all interested in helping:

Many of you already know about my friend Andrea. For those of you who
don't, she is a close friend of my family's and she has been diagnosed
with Lukemia. She went into remission last summer after all avenues of
a cure had failed including 3 rounds of chemo and a failed search for a
bone marrow donor. About three weeks ago it came back. She is not
doing well and her time is limited. The national list of donors still
has no matches and each of her three siblings also do not match. Her
family and community are hosting a bone marrow drive. This is similar
to a blood drive. Each possible donor would get minor blood test. The
blood will be typed to determine your tissue type to see if you are a
match. However, your name would be placed on a list of possible donors
nationally. If you are called by someone to donate bone marrow and
don't want to you would at that point have every right to turn them
down. The actual transplant can be, from what I understand, a painful
procedure with discomfort following for about a week.
Now, that I've talked each of you out of being tested, haha, the drive is
tentatively set for May 22nd, in S. Jersey about an hour away. I know it's the Sunday before finals and graduation and it absolutely sucks.
I will be driving out specifically for the test and back. I do not expect you all to do this for a person you don't know. My intention in writing this email is to exhaust every possible measure I can take in helping my friend.

A little late, but still

2005-05-10T19:57:00.000-03:00

As some of my readers may know, the purpose of this blog originally was for a class project, the deadline of which happens to be tomorrow. While putting the finishing touches on my blog, I happened to come across another blog about Relay: Sigma Chi's Relay for Life website to be exact. I had no idea that another person from our class was blogging on the same subject, or else I would have commented sooner! Sorry about that Gavin, and thanks to you and your brothers who made an incredible contribution to this year's Relay.

After Thought

2005-05-10T19:37:00.000-03:00

Hey guys,

I added a few more links to my sidebar, under "Other blogs and websites". All three of the websites (Super Ryan, Coaches Curing Kids Cancer, and Welcome to Camp Jack!) have to do with kids who have cancer, and some have really inspiring stories. Just because our Relay has ended, doesn't mean that their's has...so take a look :)

2005 Luminaria Ceremony

2005-05-10T14:21:00.000-03:00

Relay Hope #1
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Here's a picture of the HOPE structure that last year's committee (including myself) built for this year's luminaria ceremony. As always, it was a very emotional part of Relay, that I'm sure many will never forget.

Relay Wrap-up

2005-05-09T18:22:00.000-03:00

Tomorrow (May 10th) at 9pm in 110 Memorial there will be a wrap-up/interest meeting. ALL are welcome to join. Come let us know what you loved and what we can improve on for next year, and let us know if you are interested in being on the 2006 planning committee.

Relay for Life 2005 Grand Total:

2005-05-09T13:59:00.000-03:00

$185,000!!!!!!

To say that this year's Relay was a success is a huge understatement. We surpassed our goal of $175,000 by $10,000! The committee would like to thank everyone who participated, donated, visited, volunteered, or had any part whatsoever in Relay...we could not have done this without your help. I hope that this blog has been useful throughout the past few months for Relay updates, etc. Stay tuned during the week to see some pictures from this past weekend and to re-live some awesome memories! THANK YOU!!! :)

Site Meeting

2005-05-06T11:48:00.000-03:00

The site meeting tonight (May 6) will start at 6pm. Captains should attend to take a tour of the field house, go over any last minute details, and pick up their team's t-shirts. See you there!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2005-05-05T11:06:00.000-03:00

Go visit the Gilbert BBQ happening outside Gilbert F today from 3 to 6pm. All proceeds will go to Relay, so stop by for a hamburger or hotdog!

Fun Times at Relay 2004

2005-05-04T16:21:00.000-03:00

Relay01 120
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Get psyched guys, Relay is 3 days away!

FAQ

2005-05-04T16:17:00.000-03:00

Many of you have asked what time to arrive the day of Relay. Opening Ceremonies start at 6pm, so captains and their teams should probably arrive between 4:30 and 5:30pm to set up their campsites. Don't forget about the final bank night tonight at 7:30pm in 115 Purnell :)

Food!

2005-05-03T23:20:00.000-03:00

For the night of Relay, feel free to bring snacks, drinks, etc. We only ask that you do not keep them at your indoor campsites on the Field House floor. There will be a designated area to keep coolers and food (be sure to label your stuff!) in an alcove away from the floor. If you have an outside campsite, grills this year will be allowed. As always, Relay is a DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE EVENT. The committee will provide pizza at different times throughout the night, starting at 10pm and every half hour until 2am. They will also give out one water bottle to each participant, and will serve various snacks and breakfast the next morning. Finally, DP dough will most likely be having a special throughout the night, so don't forget some cash!

Bank Night

2005-05-03T23:17:00.000-03:00

Our final bank night will be tomorrow night (May 4th) at 7:30pm in 115 Purnell. Please bring all checks/cash and be sure to have already entered them as offline donations onto your websites.

Campsites

2005-05-03T23:12:00.000-03:00

Please check out the UD Relay Website and click on the link in the sidebar that says 'Campsite Info'. Be sure that your team has been assigned a campsite for the night of Relay, whether it is indoors or outside. Email Jen with any questions!

Hawaiian Theme

2005-05-02T14:23:00.000-03:00

Relay01 059
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

This team did a great job last year participating in the Hawaiian theme lap. Remember that prizes are given to the most creative teams for themes, campsite decorations, etc.

Theme Laps

2005-05-02T14:16:00.000-03:00

This year's theme laps are as follows:

-UD Spirit
-Spirit of America
-Team Theme
-Crazy Hat
-Hawaiian
-Pajamas
-Crazy morning look
-Three legged race

Start getting your gear together to participate...Relay is less than a week away!

DP Dough Fundraiser

2005-04-29T09:10:00.000-03:00

Order DP Dough today (April 29th) between 5pm and 3am! A portion of the profits will go to Relay. Have a great weekend everybody :)

Progress Report

2005-04-27T14:38:00.000-03:00

Hey guys, just wanted to post the most recent email from our lovely Team Relations Chair, Jen Pirnat:

Greetings fellow Relayers!

I am writing to tell you all what a wonderful job you are doing this year!! At the moment we have raised over $80,000..almost half way to our goal!! Keep up the great work! We know that some of you are stressed with Relay and schoolwork on top of it, but we just wanted to remind you to pull out your "Why I Relay Cards" and to keep on truckin!

If you are having trouble reaching your $1000, please see the yellow sheets with ideas!

Email Jen at ud-relay@udel.edu with any questions. Thanks guys!

Flashin for a Cure

2005-04-21T19:37:00.000-03:00

Relay01 050
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

These guys made me laugh last year, so they deserved a post for their picture :)

Survivor Info

2005-04-21T19:26:00.000-03:00

Please encourage anyone that you know to partipate in our very moving Survivor lap to kick off this year's Relay. Survivors can easily register online, and it would also be very helpful for the committee to email Alix Terpos with the following information:

1. Will the Survivor be participating in the Survivor lap?
2. Will the Survivor be attending the Survivor dinner?
3. What is the Survivor's t-shirt size?

Light the Night

2005-04-19T09:54:00.000-03:00

Light the Night will be held on the steps of Trabant tonight, April 19th at around 9pm, following the 3rd Team Captain's Meeting. Please encourage your teams to come, so that they can decorate luminaria bags, meet other relayers, and get pumped for Relay. Also, don't forget to bring any other money raised so far to the meeting tonight in 115 Purnell at 7:30pm, and be sure to enter offline donations into the website beforehand! Thanks guys, see you tonight.

FAQ

2005-04-16T16:17:00.000-03:00

Here's a common question: what do I bring to relay? Take a look at this list to get you and your team members started.

Tents

Blankets

Mini Tables

Sleeping Bags

Air Mattresses

Board Games

Comfortable walking shoes

Change of socks

Clothes for warm and cool weather

Flashlights

Radio

Camera

Air furniture

Coolers

Snacks

Water

Pillows

Campsite Decorations

Beards for Cancer

2005-04-15T23:08:00.000-03:00

IMG_1285
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Many of you might remember these guys from last year, who refused to shave in order to raise money for Relay. Visit the Beards for Cancer website to learn more about the guys that do this, and how to get involved.

Duct Taped for Relay?

2005-04-15T14:18:00.000-03:00

Check out the personal webpage of Siné Callanan, a member of D1 Ligers for Life. I'm sure you'll find her picture just as hilarious as I did...now that's creative!

Trabant Tomorrow

2005-04-14T21:13:00.000-03:00

Tomorrow on Friday, April 15th, Jen (our Team Relations Chair) will be in a Trabant kiosk between 11 and 2pm with luminaria forms, luminaria bags to decorate, and willing to answer any questions that you might have about Relay...which is 22 days away!

Relay & Ritas

2005-04-13T12:02:00.000-03:00

The team that raises the most $$ online between yesterday, April 12th (sorry I'm a day late with the post) and this Friday, April 15th, will win a Rita's Water Ice party at Relay! Make sure that if you've exceeded your online goal, you raise the number...this will encourage more people to help you reach it. Tell all of your teammates, as every little bit helps. And remember, this competition is only for online donations, not offline. Good luck!

Relay Ball 2004

2005-04-08T14:07:00.000-03:00

Relay Ball 2004
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Here's a picture of the committee from last year's Charity Ball. Remember that everyone is invited, so be sure to bring all of your friends!

Charity Ball

2005-04-08T13:57:00.000-03:00

The Relay for Life Charity Ball sponsored by RSA will be held on Saturday, April 23rd. Tickets will be on sale in the Trabant kiosks on Wednesday, April 20 from 3 to 5pm, Thursday the 21st from 1 to 3pm, and Friday the 22nd from 11 to 2pm. They can also be purchased at the door Saturday night. Tickets are $12 for individuals and $22 for couples, and the dress is semi-formal. This year's theme will be "A Night in the City". Can't wait to see everyone there!

ROOM CHANGE FOR BANK NIGHT

2005-04-06T09:20:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone, I apologize for the late notice, but tonight's bank night will be held in 233 A in Purnell, not in room 115. We'll begin at 7:30pm, so come if you have ANY money to turn in so far. Please make sure that you have already entered all donations as offline donations onto your website. And don't forget $2, because the purple Relay bracelets will be available! Thanks, see you tonight.

Relay Entertainment

2005-04-05T17:47:00.000-03:00

Relay01 145
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Here's a picture of the DelTones from their performance at last year's Relay. Hopefully they'll perform again this year!

Profit Sharing at Kahunaville

2005-04-05T17:14:00.000-03:00

Team "Section Tree" will be hosting a community day at Kahunaville in Wilmington on April 12th. They will collect 10% of food sales for the entire day. Make reservations or email Cindy Johnson at rappold@udel.edu if you plan to attend, so that they can staff accordingly. Get a group of friends together and show your support!

Fundraising Tips

2005-03-25T21:31:00.000-04:00

Now that Spring Break has finally begun, I thought it might be useful to post a few fundraising tips:

1. EMAIL!! Your personal website makes it very easy to send out emails to your entire address book so that family and friends can donate online using a credit card.

2. Have a bake sale and sell your cookies, brownies, etc. throughout your dorm.

3. In lieu of a gift for an upcoming holiday or birthday, ask your family and friends to donate to the ACS instead.

4. Have a potluck or a spaghetti dinner at which you charge admission. Try five dollars for an all-you-can eat home-cooked meal.

5. For an onsite fundraiser (the night of Relay), have a face painting booth or sell caricatures at the event.

6. If you have connections with anyone who works in a restuarant, ask them if your team can work for a night to earn a percentage of the profits. Be sure to let us know if you do plan to profit-share, so that we can advertise for you.

For more ideas, please visit the UD Relay Website and click on "Fundraising Tips" inside the left-hand column. Have a fun and safe Spring Break!

Relay 2004 Survivor's Lap

2005-03-19T13:15:00.000-04:00

IMG_1277
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Start thinking about any survivors that you would like to invite to participate in this year's Survivor Lap. It is a very special and moving part of every Relay to help get things started for the night, and we encourage all survivors to come out to be a part of it. Please email Jen with any questions.

FAQ

2005-03-18T20:36:00.000-04:00

Many of you have asked who is able to participate in the UD Relay...and the answer is anyone and everyone! Feel free to bring your family, friends that don't go to UD, professors, whoever. Remember to send all other questions to Jen: ud-relay@udel.edu

Locks of Love

2005-03-17T10:25:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to stop by the Trabant Multi-purpose room sometime today (March 17) if you're willing to donate some of your hair to this very important cause...and it's a free haircut! Although the usual length to donate is 10 inches, you will be able to donate a minimum of 6 inches which will be used to help make wigs for cancer patients. The only requirement is that hair has not been bleached. Thank you!

Gotta love Team Old School!

2005-03-16T22:22:00.000-04:00

Relay01 058
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

These guys had some great t-shirts for their team theme. Feel free to be as creative as you want with dress, campsite decorations, etc. We always give out prizes at the end of Relay to those teams who impressed us the most!

Meeting Recap

2005-03-16T17:14:00.000-04:00

We had a great turnout of captains at last night's meeting. I'm trying to figure how I can post the powerpoint presentations to the web and then allow you all to link to them from this blog, for those of you who were unable to make it. Here are a few highlights that were discussed:

1. We need teams to volunteer to be outside for the night of Relay, due to the INCREDIBLE response that we've seen so far (more than 117 teams have registered!). This year, tailgating is allowed, although Relay is a drug and alcohol free event as always. More details on this to come...

2. The bank night which was scheduled for April 5th will now be on April 6th at 7:30pm in 115 Purnell.

3. If you have any events coming up to fundraise for Relay, such as profit-sharing, a comedy show, or an acapella performance, please let Jen know so that we can advertise for you!

4. Check out the left hand column of our UD Relay Website where it says "Important UD Relay Info", which links to this blog.

My posts will become more frequent now that Relay is 51 days away, so check back often. Thanks!

Deadline for Registration Money

2005-03-14T15:08:00.000-04:00

There will be a bank night on Wednesday, April 6th at 7:30 in 115 Purnell. Please turn in all of your team's money collected so far, and all registration money for those team members who specified cash/check when registering. Thanks!

Relay gives hope to many...

2005-03-14T00:16:00.000-04:00

Relay01 079
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Who can forget the beautiful balloon structure that spelled HOPE, made by the 2003 Relay committee?

FAQ

2005-03-12T19:33:00.000-04:00

Hi Relayers :) I'll try to post a few frequently asked questions occasionally, to keep everyone informed. Please make all checks out to the American Cancer Society, NOT the University of Delaware. Send any other questions to Jen, Team Relations Chair: ud-relay@udel.edu

2nd Team Captain's Meeting

2005-03-11T17:10:00.000-04:00

The next Team Captain's Meeting will be Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30pm in 115 Purnell. Please do the following before the meeting:

1. Bring all money collected by your team so far to turn it in.
2. Enter all non-credit card donations onto your team website as offline donations; click here for help with this process.
3. Collect the $10 regsitration fee from all those team members who opted to pay the fee by cash or check, and bring it to the meeting.
4. Come prepared to register for a campsite! (Send a representative to do this if you are unable to make it to the meeting.)

As always, email Jen Pirnat with any questions: ud-relay@udel.edu

Icecream :)

2005-03-09T22:11:00.000-04:00

"Educate for a Cure", one of this year's teams, will be working at Coldstone on mainstreet Thursday (3/10/05) between 5 and 9pm. Their team will get 20% of the profits made during those four hours, so please go and show some support!

IMPORTANT UPDATE

2005-03-04T20:30:00.000-04:00

To those Team Captains who have already registered for a campsite: you must have a minimum of 8 participants registered online by the next Team Captain's meeting (MARCH 15) or you will forfeit your campsite. Those of you who have at least 8 people registered but do not yet have a campsite will be able to register for a campsite at the next meeting. Please email ud-relay@udel.edu with any questions!

Help with Offline Donations

2005-03-03T19:40:00.000-04:00

There is now a link on the UD Relay Website that explains how to enter offline donations, which was discussed at the last Team Captain's Meeting. All cash and checks collected must be entered online to contribute towards your individual and team total, so please click here to learn how to do this. Thanks!

Packet Pickup

2005-03-03T19:33:00.000-04:00

Jen Pirnat (Team Relations Chair) will be sitting in Trabant on Friday, March 4 from 12:20-2pm. She will be sitting towards the doors on the W. DE Ave side wearing her purple Relay t-shirt. Please stop by if you would like to pick up a Team Captain's Packet or to ask any questions.

Super Heroes!

2005-03-02T17:10:00.000-04:00

Relay01 061
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

These guys were so creative with their team theme last year; can't wait to see what they've come up with for this year!

Relay is now online!

2005-02-21T21:00:00.000-04:00

The American Cancer Society has made it much easier for teams and individuals to register and donate money to Relay, by making a website. Click here, to be taken to the UD Relay Website, and you'll find:

the grand total raised so far online
the top five fundraising individuals and teams
a menu to register or join a team
a search function to donate money to a particular team
and more!

As a registered team member, you can even have your own personal website, where you can send out emails directing people to your website to donate, specify your own individual goal, and display messages explaining why you relay.

UD Relay for Life 2004 Committee

2005-02-18T21:46:00.000-04:00

IMG_1364
Originally uploaded by blocke1215.

Here's a picture from last year's committee at the closing ceremonies, right after we opened the total amount raised!!

Team Captain's Meeting

2005-02-18T17:51:00.000-04:00

There will be a Team Captain's Meeting/Bank Night on Tuesday, February 22, at 7:30 pm in Purnell 115. Please turn in all money collected so far, bring any registration fees that were not completed on the UD Relay website, and come prepared to choose a campsite if your team has registered. Email ud-relay@udel.edu with any questions. See you there!

What is Relay for Life?

2005-02-18T17:41:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! I decided to use this blog to further advertise for one of my biggest passions here at the University of Delaware. I have been involved with Relay for life, which is an American Cancer Society walk-a-thon, for about six years now. Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs for ACS. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks (the UD Relay is held at the UD Field House) and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated. Last year, I was the Team Relations Chair for the UD Relay committee. My job was to get the word out about the event and encourage everyone to participate and fundraise. We succeeded in raising over $140,000; an incredible contribution. I will make weekly posts to inform you of any news regarding this year's Relay, as well as fundraising tips, important dates to remember, and other helpful information. Thanks for your support!