undefined
Becky VanLoon

Becky VanLoon, National RFL Lead

 

We are wrapping up some Relay seasons and launching into the new for many others. It's a time where we are thinking of trick-or-treat, families getting together, and all the stuff that goes with holidays. Let's not forget that we are on a mission. A mission to end cancer as we know it for everyone.

 

It is important to take breaks here and there. It refreshes as well as keeps things in perspective. Many times, I find, personally, without those breaks that things become personal even when not intended to be. That does not help the mission.

 

Here are a couple of questions that you can ask yourself:

--When was the last time you changed your role? We have time limit suggestions on roles to give breaks and keep things fresh.

--When was the last time I attended another Relay and saw how they did things?

--Why am I getting upset when someone else asks about changing something?

--Is this "my" Relay or the communities Relay?

--When was the last time we changed something?

--When was the last time the ELT attended some of the trainings offered online (ACSResources)?

--Do I reach out to other events to see what else is being done?

 

Have any questions? and I can either help or connect you with your someone who can.

Nominations can be made by fellow volunteers with support from ACS staff. The Nationwide Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Award will be selected by the Nationwide American Cancer Society Fundraising Leadership Teams (NCFLT) for both Community and Campus events.

  • To access the flyer and nomination form, (it's on ACS Resources).
  • Questions? Email
  • Deadline to submit a nomination is NOVEMBER 7, 2025

Current nominations by Region:

  • North: 4 Staff Partners | 2 Events | 0 Teams | 7 Relayers | 1 Corporate Team
  • Northeast: 2 Staff Partners | 0 Events | 4 Teams | 2 Relayers | 0 Corporate Teams
  • Southeast: 2 Staff Partners | 4 Events | 5 Teams | 9 Relayers | 1 Corporate Team
  • South: 1 Staff Partner | 1 Event | 0 Team | 0 Relayer | 0 Corporate Team
  • West: 0 nominations so far

Turning Awareness into Action

 

1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Awareness starts the conversation, but action saves lives.

 

This October, we’re encouraging everyone to do more than wear pink, to go beyond ribbons and awareness, to take action. Because when it comes to ending breast cancer as we know it, every dollar, every step, every signature, every screening matters.

 

Regular screening with mammograms is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. Women at average risk for breast cancer should begin screening no later than age 45, with an option to begin at age 40.

Want to learn more? Visit and/or watch this . On there is an abundance of information to learn about donating, screening, statistics, helping breast cancer patients and caregiver, , and more.

We are in the transition between 2025 and 2026 Relay seasons. Below are the numbers for both seasons:

 

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

  • Teams: 19,744 (down)
  • Participants: 141,386 (down)
  • Survivors: 30,847 (down)
  • Money Raised: $56,393,549 (up)

2026 Nationwide Event Season Numbers (year-over-year):

  • Teams: 1,167 (up)
  • Participants: 11,093 (up)
  • Survivors: 2,250 (up)
  • Money Raised: $1,537,479 (up)

 

Special Note:

Please encourage signing up for Relay but also fundraising. For fundraising and , check out .

 

Fundraising Levels:

  • 2025 Grand Club ($1,000 raised): 7,304
  • 2026 Grand Club ($1,000 raised): 179
  • 2025 Team of Excellence ($50,000 raised): 55
  • 2026 Team of Excellence ($50,000 raised: 0

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

 

  • November 1-December 2 -- Fall Fundraising Challenge (information coming)

Saralyn Lash, National Global Relay Team Member

--Where do you live? Ohio

--Reason for Relay-ing: As a survivor and a caregiver, Relay For Life is the community that gives me the motivation and opportunity to fight back against cancer. We can kick more cancer butt together!

--If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation--I would love to pop here, there and everywhere on a whim! I mean...seriously...how many Relays could you visit all over the world if you could just teleport there?!?!

--Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee with hot fudge (dairy free, please)

--Book you recommend: "Atlas of the Heart" by Brene Brown

--What is one thing you would like other volunteers to know: The most rewarding part of volunteering is lifting others up! I will always be cheering for you to do your best--and want to help you get there!

From Shelle Arnold, National Gold Together Lead

 

Thank you everyone who participated and CONGRATULATIONS to of the Gold Together Day month-long challenge. Your dedication to Gold Together makes the kiddos the real winners. Let’s keep that FUNdraising going!

 

Shout-out to my new friends Tiffany and Lauren Willingham, whom I had the great pleasure to meet during CureFest in Washington, D.C. in September.

 

From Lauren’s Mom: Even though September is over, childhood cancer awareness is every day in our home.

 

So many good things happened in September. We kicked off our fundraising for relay for life 2026 and the hard work paid off. Lauren got her volley ball teams to go gold with her to show support and raise awareness. We had the opportunity to take Lauren to CureFest and we met so many inspiring people including WV kids cancer crusaders and the wonderful people behind the ACS Gold Together initiative. They embraced us and honestly it felt like being with old friends, even though we had just met. Lauren said she felt famous, because so many people knew her story and knew the impact she has had.

 

We're here to help new families navigate this journey but we hate that they have to join this club. September may be over, but let's all continue fighting for childhood cancer awareness every day.

 

Relay For Life was first licensed outside of the USA in 1995 with the first partner being Cancer Research UK (CRUK). They hosted their first Relay in the city of Portsmouth on the South Coast of England the following year. This event continues to be a strong Relay on the CRUK event calendar and has not only inspired many communities across the UK to host Relay but was the first of nearly 1,000 Relay around the world in 35 different countries.

 

This year we have the opportunity to bring together the program leads from each of these countries and it was obvious from the start that the chance to do this in the UK would be a fitting way to celebrate the 30 years of collaboration between CRUK and ACS.

 

November 7-9 delegates from all partners will travel to London to spend the weekend together sharing best practices and working on how to further improve their programs.

 

You can learn more about network and know that we are all part of a global movement that is growing. We are delighted to not only to see Relay programs strengthening year over year since the difficult pandemic years but also to report new partners joining the network with the next in line to be added coming from Peru and Namibia.

Take a look at what Relays are in the news! From creative fundraisers to inspiring survivor stories, Relays around the world continue to make headlines and inspire action. You might find your next great idea right here!

International

Last month, we celebrated the launch of “Stephamos,” an exclusive, limited-edition Squishmallows plush, at the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge® in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania with Jazwares.

 

As part of the initiative, Jazwares, LLC donated 2,500 Stephamos Squishmallows to ACS Hope Lodge® locations across the country, where patients and caregivers stay free of charge while receiving treatment away from home. With more than 30 Hope Lodge locations nationwide, ACS provides more than 500,000 nights of free lodging each year, ensuring patients can focus on treatment. Thanks to their generosity, those nights are now a little brighter—and a lot cozier—with Stephamos by their side.

facebook
twitter
instagram
youtube

| | |

 

You can always contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-227-2345

or at .

 

The American Cancer Society | 270 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1300 | Atlanta, GA 30303, US

Copyright 2024 © American Cancer Society

Higher Logic