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Becky VanLoon

Becky VanLoon, National RFL Lead

April Showers, Bring May Flowers -- I am sure many of you have heard this phrase before. Essentially it is about the rain in April being essential for the flowers to come in May. I don't know about the rest of you, but so far, our April has been a bit gloomy. Fear not, the sun will come, the humidity will rise, the sweat will pour. Remember even when things are hard and gloomy the sun comes out eventually. Hope was defined once as "knowing that there is light at the end of the dark." You are HOPE PROVIDERS (feel free to add it to your resume). You provide hope to those going through the dark of a cancer diagnosis, a cancer fight, a fear of coming check-ups. You are the hope providers that a prevention, a treatment, a cure is coming. You are the hope providers that there will be a ride to treatment, a place to stay, someone who cares. Keep on keeping on. Get through April...May is coming!

 

--Show Relay off day-to-day by wearing something from the . You can still place orders until April 21st.

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Happy National Volunteers Month! Watch the video below for a message from me (and if you know me, you know I hate recording videos, so you know I mean what I say)

Transform care through ACS' navigation training and credentialing program.

 

Professional, non-clinical patient navigation is an evidence-based intervention that improves cancer outcomes from screening through survivorship. The American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LION) is a standardized training and credentialing program that helps navigators deliver this essential support to individuals, caregivers, and families experiencing cancer. The program meets the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services training requirements for "Principal Illness Navigation" reimbursement and is aligned to professional oncology navigation (PONT) standards.

 

To date, navigation has been inconsistently available, and types and depth of services have varied. Training and credentialing will help build a standardized professional knowledge base and positively impact oncology patients by expanding access to high quality navigation programs and services. Standardized training will also help reduce barriers and health disparities among various patient groups.

 

2025 Nationwide Event Season Numbers (year-over-year):

  • Teams: 15,349 (down 6%)
  • Participants: 93,710
  • Survivors: 16,775 (up 3%)
  • Money Raised: $22,321,295 (up 7%)

Special Note:

Approximately 46% of signed up participants have raised $0. Please encourage signing up for Relay, but also fundraising. For fundraising ideas, check out .

 

Fundraising Levels:

  • Grand Club ($1,000 raised): 2,926
  • Team of Excellence ($50,000 raised): 20
  • (Teams and Events)

 

A special CONGRATULATIONS to events that reached goal. Some of these events have reached goal even before their event. Do you want to congratulate them? and go to the event website to reach out and congratulate them.

 

"We rise by lifting others" -Robert Ingersoll

CAMMERON OGDEN, Regional RFL Liaison

--Where do you live? Clearfield, PA

--Reason for Relay-ing: I Relay because cancer has affected me and my loved ones in ways I cannot ignore. I’ve seen firsthand the emotional, physical, and financial toll this disease takes. Relay For Life offers me an opportunity to honor those who have battled cancer, remember those we've lost, and stand in solidarity with survivors and their caregivers. Relay For Life also allows me the opportunity to fight back against a disease that has taken away so much from so many.

--If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation - The ability to instantly travel anywhere in the world (or beyond) would open up endless possibilities and be super amazing! I could explore different cities and countries, experience new cultures, and meet people from all over the world—all in the blink of an eye. On a more practical level, teleportation would make life so much easier. I would love to avoid long commutes or even just run errands in no time.

--Favorite ice cream flavor: Hershey's Peanut Butter Twist

--What is one thing you would like other volunteers to know: I’m always eager to collaborate and learn from others. One thing that makes being part of Relay For Life so special is the teamwork you get to experience on a daily basis.

*stay up-to-date with all upcoming and past trainings on ACS Resources at

Signing up a team as Gold Together is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

 

If you have any questions about signing up your team as Gold Together, reach out to Shelle Arnold at . Shelle is great at assisting and providing all the encouragement you will need as a team.

 

If you are looking for more information for the ELT, check out these great resources:

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Relay For Life brings communities together to celebrate, remember, and fight back. In Global Relay we see this around the world across different cultures and different geographies. This month we are going to take a look at a small country that lies East of Georgia, USA, North of the British Virgin Islands, South of Nova Scotia, Canada, and very far West from Morroco! It is of course the beautiful cluster of islands that makes up Bermuda.

 

A Relay partner since 2014. With nearly 65,000 inhabitants on 53,00 square kilometers, this country is like a small city. Relay has flourished there attracting around 2,500 participants and last year they celebrated 128 survivors at their opening ceremony.

 

You can find out more about this Relay that will take place May 9-10, 2025 at . Also, take a look at 2024 Relayers in Bermuda chatting on their Relay purple couch

 

Candy Nardini was just 12 when her uncle passed away from a brain tumor. His illness had an impact on Candy who started giving back early on by collecting funds for the American Cancer Society locally. Although cancer struck closely again when Candy lost her mother to advanced colon cancer at only 68 years old, it did not deter Candy and her husband, Jay, from giving back.

 

Candy has been involved with the Relay For Life of Black Hawk County, IA since 1991. She serves as Event Lead and sits on the State Leadership Board. Candy and Jay are "Hope Heroes,” raising funds for the ACS Russell and Ann Gerdin Hope Lodge in Iowa City. Each year they host a “Pack the Bus” event to encourage supply donations.

 

Candy and Jay have made a major investment in the future of ACS by naming ACS as a beneficiary in their will. “Leaving a legacy is important to both my husband and me,” states Candy. “Who wouldn’t want to make a gift and support this mission and see the generosity and impact to future

generations?”

 

To learn more about how you can make a gift through your will, please visit

Take a look at what Relays are in the News!

Find something you want to learn more about? Reach out to the event and ask away--collaboration will help us grow!

Do you have a photo from your event that you would like to have shared? Or a story link to share about your event? Email me at . Be sure to include your event name and location along with your name when you email me.
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You can always contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-227-2345

or at .

 

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