American Cancer Society High School Relay For Life

American Cancer Society

High School Relay For Life

Join The Movement

Why Participate in Relay For Life?

Because…

Over 3.5 Million People Do Every Year

In 5,146 Communities(and that’s just in the U.S.)

What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life is the largest, nonprofit fundraising event in the world!

It is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people around the globe each year to:

•Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.

•Remember loved one lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside those battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

•Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put and end to the disease.

Relay For Life:

– Educates students about cancer and helps reduce their cancer risks

– Builds a stronger sense of community within the school (fighting for a common cause)

– Offers lifelong engagement opportunities that last long past graduation

– Provides character building and leadership development opportunities that help students become well-rounded young adults

Why Should Students Do Relay?

Why High School Relay For Life?

It’s a GREAT time for an even GREATER cause!

How Successful Is High School Relay?• In 2011 alone, 103 High School Relays took place nationwide

• Over 45,148 participants joined the fight against cancer

• Over $5,701,856 was raised to support the American Cancer Society

• Average net income per event was $55,358

• Average number of teams was 43

• Average number of participants was 443

• Average fundraising per participant was $114

• Average number of cancer survivors present was 17

How Does High School Relay Work?• Student led committee with at least one

staff/faculty advisor

• Relay planning starts early in the fall and lasts throughout the school year until the spring/summer event

• Students register as captains, and form teams of 8 – 15 people (staff and faculty are encouraged to participate as well)

• Each team recruits one chaperone over the age of 25 for every 5 team members

• Event is 12 hours in length (overnight, defined as from dusk until dawn)

• Most events require minimums to stay overnight (ex $100 must be raised to stay past 11pm)

How Do I Start A High School Relay?1. Get permission from school

administration and secure date

2. Contact local ACS office with request about hosting a Relay

3. Identify event chair(s) and faculty/staff advisor

4. Identify executive and planning committees made up students

5. Establish goals for your event with your ACS staff partner

6. Begin planning, promoting and recruiting teams & participants

What Role Does The Advisor Play?The Relay For Life Staff/Faculty Advisor:

–Is the main contact between the students, school administration, and ACS

–Assists in identifying/recruiting student volunteers

–Meets with Committee Chairs/Staff throughout the planning process

–Helps lead the committee to success by motivating the students alongside ACS staff

–Helps keep event planning organized and on track to hit established goals

–Serves as official Relay For Life spokesperson (along w/youth volunteers)

How Does The School Support Relay?• Provide space for committee meetings

before/after school

• Allow signage/announcements and other promotion throughout year

• Provide track/field house/gymnasium for the event

• Assist or provide guidance with day-of logistics such as:

– Lighting– Sound– Trash Removal– Miscellaneous Equipment Needs– Security– School and City Rules & Regulations

What Support Will ACS Provide?ACS is responsible for:

•Volunteer Training

•Event Planning & Promotion

•Liability & Certificate of Insurance

•Materials & Supplies

•Money Processing

•Event Set-Up & Tear Down •Overall Event Coordination

How Do We Keep The Students Safe?• All participants under 18 need a waiver signed by a parent

• Every team needs one chaperone over 25 for every 5 youth members

• Relay works like a lock-in and registered students stay all night (wristbands are used to monitor who has been cleared to stay based on online registration, forms turned in, and money raised)

• Bags and coolers are checked upon entrance and security is used to monitor participants throughout the night

How Do You Promote Relay?

• “Paint the School Purple” with flyers, announcements, posters, etc.

• Plan a Kickoff Assembly or Pep Rally (Relay Rally) to gain excitement

• Contact student groups and sports teams and create healthy competition between groups and classes

• Make short classroom or homeroom presentations about Relay (show videos, hand out flyers, give a tour of the website)

• Table during lunch hours, conferences, student group fairs, etc.

• Present Relay at Faculty meetings and PTA meetings

Start early and show your Relay For Life purple pride!

How Do You Build A Great Relay?1. Leadership Development: Recruiting a committee that will lead peers

and organize a great Relay event

2. Team Development: Recruiting and managing successful Relay teams by recognizing, mentoring, and empowering them to make a difference

3. Fundraising Development: Coaching students on the importance of fundraising to our mission by promoting online, onsite, team, and individual fundraising efforts

4. Survivorship Development: Involving and celebrating survivors and caregivers every step of the way as they are the reasons we Relay

5. Event Development: Understanding that the Relay itself is the number one way to keep people rallied around the cause. This means that event quality is very important in retaining participants

“What can I say? Friday night was one of the most inspirational events that I have ever attended. It is clear that many people worked very hard in order to pull off such a wonderful evening. Congratulations and thank you to the staff and all the student volunteers. I am so proud of the students and staff of District 230 and their compassion and desire to help others in their time of need!”

Sincerely,Dr. James Gay

SuperintendentHigh School District 230 (Largest H.S. Event in the U.S.)

Relay For Life Testimonial

Join 3.5 million others in the movement to end cancer and create more

birthdays by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life!

To join the movement visit: www.RelayForLife.org

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