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Becky VanLoon

Becky VanLoon, National RFL Lead

On May 1st, you showed up. You were amazing. You raised $651,670.88 to honor Dr. Gordy Klatt.

 

In honor of Mother's Day, this past weekend, I would like to share a little about Pat Flynn - "Mother of Relay For Life." Pat was a longtime Tacoma Public Schools employee who transitioned to the city of Tacoma's communications office before retiring to care for her husband of 50 years, Mike. She called herself the "details person" of Relay for Life. In 1986, 220 people on 19 teams joined Klatt to run around Stadium Bowl's track to raise money for cancer research, Pat was part of the planning. She trained thousands of volunteers over the years and is described by her son, Mark, as "one of the most giving people I've ever met. She just gave and gave and gave. This whole Relay for Life movement became her cause."

 

Here are some of Pat's words: "As a mother, you want to see your children grow and have an impact on the world around them. As the ‘Mother of Relay,’ I am thrilled to see the energy and spirit of Relayers continue to grow around the world. They have taken the light of Relay For Life from us here in the United States, and are truly united with us in creating a world without cancer.”

 

I think Pat would be proud to see what Relay For Life looks like today.

 

Do you want to see a map of Relays (it's a lot of them on one map)? Take a look at the main page of ACS Resources

 

Do you want to see the impact Relay For Life is making? Check out the video below. Here is the link if you want to share it with others: And don't forget to take a look at the South African Relay For Life video in the Global section.

The ACS Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Report, released April 23, shows mixed progress in major cancer risk factors, preventive behaviors, and screenings in a post-COVID-19 pandemic period among adults in the US.

 

Highlights () in select cancer risk factors and screenings include: tobacco, cancer screening, HPV vaccination, excess body weight, physical activity, and alcohol.

 

A first step to guide individuals to prevent and detect cancer is the . Individuals can answer questions in four key areas and receive personalized tips to help reduce their risk of cancer. Visit to access this important tool.

 

In addition to ACS CancerRisk360, ACS continues to promote its “” campaign, encouraging people to discuss cancer screening with their loved ones.

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

  • Teams: 16,913 (down 7%)
  • Participants: 110,197 (down 7%)
  • Survivors: 21,184
  • Money Raised: $30,256,092 (up 2%)

Special Note:

Approximately 45% 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): 3,733
  • Team of Excellence ($50,000 raised): 27
  • (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

WILLIAM RIDDICK, Regional RFL Liaison

--Where do you live? Ahoskie, NC

--Reason for Relay-ing: Help end the disease of cancer that has crippled my family.

--If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? End racism, discrimination and all other inequalities.

--Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookies-n-Cream

--Book you recommend: Holy Bible

--What is one thing you would like other volunteers to know: I'm 100% dedicated to the mission. I love to fund the mission, learn more about the mission, teach others about the mission, and represent the mission.

*when you RSVP for live trainings, you can receive a calendar invite...to help you remember to attend

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

Did you know the average Gold Together team raises an average of $5,000 in their first year? If you are looking for additional income for your event, more teams, more SURVIVORS, give serious consideration to finding someone to be a Team Captain of a Gold Together team for your event. is available to help however she can. We also have information at

 

Are you competitive by nature? Need a little push to get a few more FUNdraising dollars? Did you know there is a Leaderboard for Gold Together teams? 2025 RFL Gold Together Top Teams - American Cancer Society Resources Congratulations to Stormy Thibodeaux and “Barbers Hill ISD is #GoldTogether” for currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard!

 

If YOU are a Gold Together Team Captain, please send information about your event, your FUNdraising, and your successes to . We’d love to feature you and your team in future newsletters as well as in our Facebook group.

 

Mark September 10, 2025 on your calendar for DAY OF GOLD. We are beginning to make plans for this year’s Day of Gold.

We all know that Relay For Life is an awesome inspiring and unifying event in our communities, but it is even more inspiring to know that this is the case in communities all around the world. We see that no matter the culture, wealth, religion, race or geographic location Relay still has its impact. Relay brings communities together to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back!

 

This has been shown particularly true in the rainbow nation of South Africa. Our partner, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), has been hosting Relays since 2005, with events taking place across this huge and diverse country. We are so proud to hear how Relay brings together people from diverse communities around this issue that effects all communities, without discrimination.

 

Cancer Survivors programs such as our shine as strong beacons in the Relay program in South Africa where CANSA work to ensure that their voices are heard and leveraged to deliver key messages in their work against cancer.

 

Tips for Caregiver Burnout

Being a caregiver can be hard. Good, reliable caregiver support is very important to the physical and emotional well-being of people with cancer. But the physical and mental demands of caregiving can be all-consuming. Between taking loved ones to appointments and managing their daily care at home, it’s common for caregivers to let their own needs go. But not prioritizing your own well-being can eventually lead to what’s called “caregiver burnout.”

 

If caregiver burnout is not identified and managed, it can lead to feeling physical symptoms of stress and mental health problems like anxiety and depression. It can also negatively impact the person you’re caring for. That’s why it’s so critical for caregivers to recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout and get the help they need.

 

People can experience caregiver burnout in different ways. They might feel:

Fatigue | Stress | Withdrawn | Distracted | Alone | Frustrated or angry | Helpless

 

As a caregiver, you have an important and unique role in helping your loved one through their cancer experience. While being a caregiver can be quite stressful, many describe it as enriching, meaningful, or rewarding. Here are other strategies that might be helpful for managing caregiver burnout, too.

 

Connect with other caregivers. The caregiving role can open up doors to new friends and relationships. Being able to talk with other people going through similar experiences can help you feel less alone. Caregiver support groups, either in person or online, can also be great places for caregivers to ask questions.

 

Find a healthy outlet. There are many ways to relieve caregiver stress and fatigue. It can be tough to do some things you enjoy, but it’s important to make time for them. For example, you might find time to attend a faith-based event or meet a friend for lunch. You might find relief in getting regular exercise. Or join an art class or a book club.

 

Practice mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness involves different ways to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. Meditation is one practice that can help calm your body and mind. People practice meditation in different ways. Some focus on quieting their minds and focusing on their breath. Others focus on repeating a phrase.

 

Read the whole article:

Caregiver resources:

Take a look at what Relays are in the News!

Some of these stories are SO cool and you have a whole month before I send the next round out! Take a look. You might find a great idea from another Relay from anywhere in the world!!

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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