Can you believe it?!?  Only 4 days until the big event!!  On July 16-17, 2011, thousands of Second Life avatars will line the Relay for Life track in our virtual world to celebrate another awesome fund-raising season.  For 24 hours, avatars will make their way along the track through 34 sims, over and over to increase awareness of Cancer, and the need to raise funds for research and other programs.  During the 24 hours, it is a time that to celebrate those that have conquered their bout with cancer, remember those that have succumbed the disease and to encourage those that are in the midst of their battle.  It is an incredible event – moving, enlightening, awakening, etc.

While this event takes place in Second Life, there are Relay for Life events all over the world.  The Relay for Life event is the signature fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society and takes place in over 5000 communities in the US and 20 countries world-wide.  During the 24 hour relay, in every RFL event, there are three traditions that take place.  These help participants Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.  The Celebration is recognized with A Survivor’s Lap, where all those battling and surviving with cancer take a lap while all other participants cheer for them!  Remember is commemorated with the Luminaria Ceremony, during which participants walk the track in silence, remembering all those that have been touched by cancer and those loved ones lost to the disease.  Luminarias (candles lit inside a bag) line the track and each one represents a person being honored or remembered.   Then, Fight Back is a ceremony that allows us all to make a personal commitment to fight back and do what we can to prevent cancer.  During this lap, we make our pledges and encourage all to join us.  The entire Relay for Life in Second Life campaign is a rewarding experience.  The 24 Hours represents that fact that Cancer Never Sleeps…and we all stay on that track as long as we can.

“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” – Yoko Ono

The 2011 theme is Seasons of Hope.  The track in Second Life this year is laid out with different sections representing the seasons within a year.  From Winter, to Spring, to Summer and to Autumn… our ever-changing year.  In each section, teams have set up their “campsites” which will be the home base for the weekend.  These campsites should match the seasonal theme and represent the team’s commitment to Relay.  The team campsites are augmented by Designer sims where a known sim creator donates their time and effort to express their creativity and interpretation for Relay.

This will be my fourth Relay in Second Life and while my team, Eternal Beacon, has had a challenging fund-raising year, the core of us stick together through thick and thin and push to make a difference.  In my view, every Linden or Dollar raised, in world or via convio is an important one.  We have been busy building our campsite which is located in the Autumn section.  Our own theme is Harvesting Hope and we have created the Hope Ranch.

We hope that you will join Relay for Life in Second Life this year, and that we see you out on the track!!

Until there is a cure, I Relay!!

~Sunshine

*Hope Ranch is located on the RFL Recovery Sim and will be available to all starting on 7/16/2011 and probably just for a few days.  It was lovingly created by Dys Babii, Pinkie Fellini, Sunshine Zhangsun and Dione Kohime.  🙂