As Relay season starts...

This year, in 2009, we celebrate 25 years of the Relay For Life. It's hard to believe that what started in 1985 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma has become a worldwide phenomenon to rid the world of cancer. More than 3.5 million people will participate this year in Relay...and will take up the call to fight back against cancer.

In 2004, I was was one of the event chairs for the Relay in Tacoma, when we celebrated the 20th anniversary. It was an incredible year, culminating in the very last Relay held in the Stadium Bowl, before the event moved to the new Mt. Tahoma Stadium. We raised more than $800,000 in a record-breaking year.

Five years have passed since then.

Here's the national 25th Anniversary video, featuring Gordy and my dear friend Pat Flynn... If you want to know a bit more about the history or learn about the impact of this event throughout the world...it's definitely worth the 5 minutes. :)

And, while you're watching the montage of photos in the beginning, you'll see a few of my images -- including my very favorite "I'm A Sorviver" image. :)



This year, the Great West Division of the American Cancer Society developed a set of training materials that are being used throughout the Division. At last year's Summit, we spent late Friday night taping short spots for the Division to use...it was hysterical, taking some of the loudest people from the Division (and across the US, when you count Jeff Ross) and putting them in a room where they needed to be quiet. We did a lot of sign language for "applause". Happy hands!

And Baby Thomas is in the tummy in this video...even though he was known as Baby Angus then. :)

So without further ado, here is my "Team Captain Welcome" for the captains in our Division.



While we're on the subject of fundraising...did you know that the 2009 Shoot to Fight Cancer is live? Don't miss your chance to win a photo shoot from Finian Road!


This year, there's an added bonus of a $100 gift card to ANYWHERE you choose -- want a new outfit for the shoot? Drinks for the hubby to encourage him in front of the camera? New clothes for the kids for the shoot? The card is to wherever you'd like!

It's a $525 value...and there are just 125 tickets available. How do you like those odds? Here's how you get your tickets...

• Go to our online website for the Relay For Life.


• Click on the word "DONATE" near the top.


• Enter the amount you wish to donate under "select gift amount": $100 buys you 4 tickets, $75 buys you three tickets, $50 buys you two tickets, and $25 buys you 1 ticket. And you can always buy more than 4!


• Follow the prompts to complete your donation to the American Cancer Society.


• We will receive a notice that your donation has been made and your ticket stub will be in the mail to you within 48 hours. It will go to the billing address for the credit card used to pay for the ticket.


• Your donation is tax-deductible for 2009.

Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back!