2026 Relay For Life Theme And Logo Announced: "Wild For A Cure"

 

We're thrilled to reveal the theme logo for the 2026 Relay For Life of Second Life - Wild For A Cure

This vibrant design and theme celebrates the untamed dedication of our community and our fierce determination needed to end cancer.

“The stunning logo artwork was brought to life by the talented Sass Winchester, whose creative vision perfectly captures the raw energy and passion our Relay community brings to the fight against cancer," explains Stingray9798 Raymaker, Director of the American Cancer Society in Second Life. “The tropical elements and bold styling represent the wild enthusiasm our participants show year after year."

The "Wild For A Cure" theme encourages teams to channel their inner strength and creativity. Whether interpreting this as jungle adventures, outdoor exploration, animal representation, or simply embracing your wildest fundraising ideas, the theme offers endless creative possibilities for team builds and events.

The logo's lush greens and warm earth tones reflect growth, life, and renewal - powerful symbols in our ongoing mission to create a world without cancer. Its organic design elements remind us that healing and hope can flourish even in the most challenging environments.

Beginning now, teams can access the official 2026 theme logo at the Relay Building on the American Cancer Society Island in Second Life. Get ready to go wild for a cure!

https://www.acsinsl.org/news 

 

Announcement: Important RFL in SL Kickoff Instructions

 

 

For the first time ever, we are going to attempt a live multi-media experience for the RFL of SL Kickoff.

We're excited to use Linden Lab's new feature that allows us to play a video in real-time so that everyone in attendance can watch together.

In order to pull this off with our traditional live radio broadcast, we need your help.

****Saturday, February 18, 2023****
on American Cancer Society 2 Island

KICKOFF CELEBRATION AGENDA
9am SLT: Relay For Life of Second Life Tailgate Party, presented by T1 Radio
9:30am SLT: SL Musican Panel Interview
10am SLT: The Kickoff Ceremony begins
After the Ceremony, stick around for the T1 Radio Kickoff Party that goes until the last person leaves!

What's the SL Musician Panel Interview?
Hear from the SL Musicians who recorded a new cover version of the Jon Christopher Davis Relay For Life theme song before the world premier of their music video. The video will kick start the Ceremony.

********HOW TO PREPARE!********

1. Arrive early!!
2. At 9:30am SLT, the YouTube Live stream will begin. This is your queue to:
3. Activate MEDIA in SL
4. De-activate Music in SL
5. Tune in to youtube.com/@relayforlifeofsecondlife on your internet browser

Then, you'll be able to watch/listen on YouTube
OR you can watch in SL while YouTube provides your audio.
The key distinction is that your audio should be provided by the YouTube live stream for the entire ceremony.

If you have questions about how to set up, ask in the ACS SL Discord and someone will be able to help.
Join the Discord server at: https://discord.gg/fFQAyCcfvW

I'm excited to see you there! Let's Relay together!!

Stingray9798 Raymaker

RFL in SL Declared 7th Most Sucessful US Event in 2022

 

 

 A few days ago in the ACS Second Life channel on Discord, Stingray Raymaker posted the following:

queues the trumpet fanfare to announce that our Relayers have accomplished another amazing g feat....
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2022 Relay For Life of Second Life. Our event ranked 7th in fundraising among all Relay events in the United States!  This is now 3 years in a row that we are ranked in the top 10 among 2500+ other Relay events!!

 

Even with the Pandemic behind us, the Relay for Life in Second Life volunteers are still a top fundraising force compared to real-life fundraisers.  

The kickoff is on Saturday February 18.

RFL Announcement: A New 2023 Mega Event

 

From Stingray Raymaker - Director of ACS in Second Life

“I’m very excited to introduce SL Fandom Con. A new Mega Event that will bring FANDOM to a whole new level in Second Life. The team of people working together on this project have set some very inspiring goals and have a vision for a completely re-imagined Mega Event experience for the Second Life FANDOM community.”

Full story at https://www.slacsinfo.com/news 

"Bernie Mittens" At The Relay

 

 One of the latest memes to take the Internet by storm is that of a picture of Senator Bernie Sanders at the Presidential Inauguration a few days ago bundled up and wearing a pair of handmade mittens. They've been both a success for the Vermont woman who made them, and others have made a lot of use of them. For the Relay for Life in Second Life, Trader Whiplash and Stingray Raymaker have had a little fun with the meme as well, showing pictures of the bundled Bernie as a Relay supporter.

Bernie Sanders is a rare character in politics. In an era in which those on one party usually treated as vermin by supporters of the other, the Vermont Senator gets respect not just from other Democrats, but also Republicans as well. And of course the Relay is something both liberals and conservatives, as well as progressives and populists, can get behind.

Image credit: Stingray Raymaker, Trader Whiplash

Sources: New York Post, Fox Business 

 Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: Celebrating Four Million at ACS Island

 

We're having a party on ACS Island to celebrate raising $4 Million for the American Cancer Society.

Everyone is welcome. An overflow island will be there courtesy of Linden Lab and you can listen from anywhere on t1radio.com.

Stingray Raymaker, ACS Ambassador, will be sharing a few really BIG announcements along with some special guests and great music.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 10am - 1pm SLT American Cancer Society Island

It's so clear... every year we get stronger... so let's shine our lights... it is time to celebrate... we have come so far and we got so far to go...

 

"Thank You SL Newser"

 Our decision to not just do a "Man of the Year" article, but look back at the previous decade and do one for the decade for the Relay for Life in Second Life's volunteers, had some positive reactions. In the Relay's Discord chat, Stingray Raymaker called it a great honor. "Thank you ... for recognizing the amazing work of the RFL of SL community." Bain Finch called it "nicely penned," adding, "A roller coaster ride I am delighted to have taken part in. If I hadn't, I would have never met our honored people, along the way."

Glad to be of help.

Bixyl Shuftan, SL Newser

 

Announcement: 2021 Relay Season Theme Chosen

We had some great theme options, and I truly feel that any of them would have made for a wonderful Relay season. But, since we can only have one theme at a time, you all voted and the theme earning the most votes is:

A Cure! For A Happy Ending!

I can't wait to see the whimsical adventure that you all create along the track next year as you interpret fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Stay tuned for info on how you can submit your artwork for theme-logo consideration.

Stingray Raymaker

Reader Submitted: Stingray's Dress

Stingray Raymaker had stated if a certain fundraising goal was met, he'd take a lap around the Relay Track in a purple dress. Well, it was, and he did. And after the fact, he posted this pics in the Relay Discord group, "Proof that I paid my debt!!" And yes, he gave others the okay to use, "run with it! You all earned this one!!!"

Reader Submitted: "Forecast - Isolated Thunderstorms"

From Stingray (Stingray9798 Raymaker), whom posted this on the Relay for Life's Discord channel, "I don't know who did this, but I've got my eye on Alison Flow and Sienna Thor."

RFL Announcements: Stingray's New Look And The 2020 Season Logo

It was announced in the Relay for Life Volunteers group that Stingray Raymaker had a new look.

After a swat team of many avatars spent more than 15 days on his makeover, we are proud to introduce you to the new and improved, all-mesh, Stingray9798 Raymaker.

And last, but not least, Sting is sporting a mesh shirt with the 2020 RFL of SL season logo, courtesy of Marina Sharpshire.



It is unknown if any future looks involve pantyhose or pink dinkies.



Also, the logo for next year is done, also courtesy of Marina.

We are excited that Marina, a professional graphic design artist, donated her services to create our official “Game On, Cancer!” logo.

Thank you Marina.

Source: Second Life ACS Information

SL Video: "Linden Lab Spirit of Relay"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Stingray Rainmaker on August 6, "In appreciation for 15 years of working together to fight cancer in the virtual world, Second Life. Find support and services at American Cancer Society island in Second Life. To support the American Cancer Society in Second Life, contact Stingray9798 Raymaker (in-world)."

The Relay for Life Season Kickoff

This weekend, the Relay Season "United We Relay" finally got started. The Kickoff took place at the appropriately named RFL Kickoff 1 and 2 sims. The Newser was there, and took a few pictures of the scenes.

Read the story in Events.

Press Release: United We Relay, Relay For Life Registration and Kick Off Announced

14th Annual Virtual Fund Raising Event Begins April 7th

(American Cancer Society Region, Second Life) Plans for the 14th annual virtual Relay For Life of Second Life were announced today. The annual grid-wide event, which brings teams from all corners of both the physical and virtual worlds together to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back against cancer, has been held every spring since 2005.   These dedicated Relayers have supported the American Cancer Society by raising more that L$750,000,000 ($3,250,000 usd) to continue its mission to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead the Fight for a world without cancer.

The theme for the 2018 event, United We Relay, recognizes the borderless composition of Second Life’s Relay community, with teams made up of members residing in nearly 100 countries. These teams hold events and fundraise both in Second Life and in the physical world.  The Relay For Life of Second Life is a life-changing event. No event in Second Life matches the Relay experience, which includes the beauty and interactivity of the regions, combined with the emotional support of the community.

Team Registration opens on March 19, 2018

Teams may begin registering on the event website, http://www.relayforlife.org/secondlife as early as March 19. While anyone in Second Life can use the official fundraising tools, only registered teams will be able to assign the tools to their team in order to qualify for the Fundraising Club and other challenges or opportunities throughout the season. The official 2018 fundraising season will begin at 10am Saturday, April 7, 2018 with a Kick Off Celebration to be held on a dedicated region adjacent to American Cancer Society.  Plans are underway for Kick Off Weekend to include Live Entertainment and a ceremony to unveil the plans for the 2018 season. Official fundraising tools (kiosks and vendors) are available now, and will ‘reset’ to $0 on April 7, to signify the official start of the 2018 fundraising season.

2018 Relay For Life of Second Life Premier Sponsors include Rockliffe University, RGF Estates and Sol Existence.  This year’s Kick Off Sponsor is Relay Refresh.

The Relay For Life of Second Life is overseen by the Event Leadership Team (ELT) of Nuala Maracas, Nikki Mathieson, MamaP Beerbaum Alter and Random Padar Darrow, American Cancer Society staff partner Stingray9798 Raymaker and is supported by task volunteers made up of more than 50 avatars from all walks of Second Life.

The 2018 Season will culminate with the annual Relay Weekend, July 14th and 15th. Anyone interested may join the Relay For Life Volunteers group in Second Life or contact any of the ELT members.

The American Cancer Society is the world’s leader in the fight against cancer.  The Society provides support for researchers, cancer survivors and caregivers and with its Global partners, is active in all corners of the globe providing support for health care and cancer initiatives. More information about cancer, survivor and caregiver support or the mission of the Society can be found at American Cancer Society region in Second Life, visiting www.cancer.org or by calling 800-227-2345

At the Relay

 As this is being posted, it's the middle of the Relay Walk, the 24 hour event that is the high point of the Relay Weekend.

Following the Opening Ceremony, the various teams gathered onto the Track.

While cancer is  a serious subject, there's been much funnery on the Track. Team Ragtag poked fun at the "Pokemon GO" craze by putting a pikachu on their camp.

 At the American Cancer Society sim, there was a spontaneous gathering of people.

When Stingray Raymaker went AFK, people decided to poke fun at him by rezzing things on and around him. Then Maddona, with her cockroach arms after her "Nightmare" challenge decided to stand behind him so he was between me and the camera ...

Poor Stingray. He never gets a break.

That's all for now from the Relay. Stand by for more.

Bixyl Shuftan

Stingray's Avatar Challenge

Many volunteers for the Relay for Life have done all kinds of stunts to raise funds for the effort, sometimes putting their dignity on the line. For Stingray Raymaker, he offered the person whom put the largest amount of Lindens in the Relay kiosk during Sunday's Relay Rap program the opportunity to give him an avatar makeover. So what happened? Stingray got much, much, more than he bargained for as he had to endure a "purr-fect" mess that was a "cat"astrophe for his pride.

See the segments of the group chatter and pictures of Stingray's look this week in People.

Weekend in Review

Quite a bit happened this weekend. There was the Anzac Day commemoration on New Fallout. Roma had a festival weekend including the Venus Verticordia and a Egg Bounce game, Relay for Life Jail and Bails, Stingray Raymaker's Avatar Challenge, Gemma Cleanslate named the Relay for Life's latest "Keeper of the Flame" (below), The "Homes For Our Troops," benefit at Veterans Isle, the announcement of the closing of the SS Galaxy (below), the grand opening of the Ponyland sim (seen above) and more.

Yours truly will get to writing about some of these, but it's been a busy weekend, and time for a little rest before real-life work.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Relay For Life of Second Life - What If?"

From Relay leader Stingray Raymaker, "What if there was a virtual world that you could use to make a difference in the real world? relayforlife.org/secondlife"