surfin4acure

Team Donations for 2012 Started Already- THANKS!

2011-10-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

Our team is registered for 2012 and already some fundraising has begun! Team member Kim Ballinger is holding a Mary Kay fundraiser. My teacher's union from Mt. Ephraim schools recently held a "Pink Day" and for the privilege of wearing pink and jeans- donated to our team. Thanks to all the early supporters!

Team Survivor Luminaries

2011-06-18T17:29:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the 2011 Surf Team!

2011-06-18T17:16:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to the 2011 Surfin' For A Cure Team! You did a great job! We had to play "tag team" this year as there were so many conflicts- but I am so proud and happy that so many signed up anyway and contributed. Pictured above is Mary, Cappie, Deirdre, Spencer, Hannah & Charles. Nancy & George Ballinger attended for the Survivor Lap. George Jr, Evan & Noah came for the evening. Others contributed online and in other ways.

The weather was threatening most of the time and relay was cut short at 11 pm due to lightening in the area- however it was wonderful that all the major ceremonies were held. So far, our team raised $1265 for the American Cancer Society! The event has raised over $241,000 so far. Donations may be accepted through the end of August. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS!

Relay for Life of Medford Facebook Fan Page

2011-05-28T07:16:00.001-04:00

I have been enjoying administrating the Facebook persona and now a new Fan Page for our relay. Check out the Fan Page and "like" us on Facebook!

Relay For Life of Medford Fan Page!

Small team big spirit! Because cancer never sleeps...

2011-05-28T07:12:00.000-04:00

Things evolve.. this year the relay is on the same day as a big BBQ at my church. So most of my team is highly involved with the church and are running that event. Many have sent in donations to the team anyway! I think it presents an opportunity for me to order take out BBQ and bring it to the relay for dinner! My mom will be there with me. The Smith's are coming. I can't stay overnight this year because I have to be in Pennsylvania the next day for a wedding shower for a relative. So it will be different this year. But my daughter, who is a college senior, is coming and still helping to organize a team of Shawnee HS alumni. She just organized a big college team at West Chester for their relay back in April. So it's two relays for her and half of one for me this year!

One thing is for certain, cancer never sleeps. They say that is a reason for the relay being an overnight affair. Cancer never sleeps. At my present school job they were raising money for a young teacher who is undergoing chemotherapy and cannot work his usual summer job. And my old friend who was diagnosed at the same time as me, same surgery on same day, same treatment, same everything except for luck- she is now stage 4 with cancer in her liver. Cancer never sleeps.

Mammo time--- same for you? Other screenings?

2011-04-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

Had my annual mammogram today at SJ Radiology in Voorhees. They treat me right. But it's always fraught with anxiety eventhough a lucky 10 year survivor. Are you due for a mammogram? Another kind of cancer screening? If so- just DO IT! Make the appointment today. I am LIVING PROOF that early (or just in a nick of time?) detection saves lives. DO IT!

Time to Sign Up For The Team!

2011-04-04T15:36:00.010-04:00

2010 Surfin' For A Cure Team

Thank you to everyone who has been a member of my relay team in the past! I have very nice relay for life pins for those that raised over $100 last year and will be distributing them over the next few weeks. If you do not receive your pin let me know!

It's that time again! If you plan to be a member of the Surfin' For A Cure team this June- it's time to sign up and make your presence known. And start doing some fundraising!

First some basic info:

2011 Relay For Life of Medford, NJ
June 11-12, 2011 (8:00 AM-8:00 AM) at Freedom Park

Link to online registration page:
Surfin For A Cure 2011 Team Registration Page

Please make a commitment by May 1st so that I can plan accordingly.

This is the 10th Anniversary of Relay For Life of Medford – therefore the 2011 theme is “DECADE OF RELAY.”

The past few years my members have become slower at registering for the team :) therefore I do not plan to sell team t-shirts- there is not enough time to produce them cost effectively if we sign up last minute. So- we will again go with our Hawaiian Shirts!

I will need help with the decorations, tent site, and the usual. I have MANY photographs of past relays and t-shirts from all of them. Perhaps there is a way to montage all of this. Put on your thinking caps for a clever but simple display!

Also I am happy to report I am a 10 year survivor and have been selected to represent other survivors at our relay. They are using my bio and picture in packets being given to survivors. It's nice to be chosen to "represent." Thanks to the survivor committee for this honor! As this relay season approaches and this 10 year milestone hit me in March, I gave thought to moving on. Then I became aware of three very close friends who again were battling cancer. It renewed my commitment to trying to help others with this and also understanding the idea that as Lance Armstrong said, "Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life. "

Most everything is available online like last year. I will be getting more materials at the next meeting including envelopes, info on the Kid's Walk, and luminaria forms. If you need anything right away please medford.relay@gmail.com or give me a phone call. I will be happy to help you. Newcomers are welcome on our team! Feel free to invite others to join us. But they must understand our commitment to fundraising for this cause and please introduce them to me.

Ok----- sign up for the team!

Mary

I Relay For Life In Medford, NJ!: Wake Up Little Suzie! You've Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!

2011-01-04T00:47:00.000-05:00

I Relay For Life In Medford, NJ!: Wake Up Little Suzie! You've Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!: "So far, Komen has identified and filed legal trademark oppositions against more than a hundred of these Mom and Pop charities, including K..."

I Relay For Life In Medford, NJ!: Making Strides Makes An Impact

2010-11-03T14:04:00.000-04:00

I Relay For Life In Medford, NJ!: Making Strides Makes An Impact: "Last Sunday, an absolutely gorgeous Fall day, I had the pleasure of participating in my first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Thi..."

Thank you to the MEEA!

2010-11-03T11:30:00.001-04:00

The Mt. Ephraim Education Association is the most generous group of teachers and support staff that I know! I don't even work there anymore, after the untimely demise of my program due to budget cuts, but that did not deter them from their annual Jeans Day! The staff has supported the American Cancer Society through our Relay For Life team for many years. Certainly when I was no longer employed by the district, I did not expect them to continue. But lo and behold I received a call from a staff member and they wanted to contribute again this year! THANK YOU! I have sent the check in and it is doing good even as I write for the people of South Jersey. Thank you MEEA!

Oct 7th- 2010 Relay Wrap Up Meeting

2010-10-20T11:08:00.004-04:00

Recently I attended the 2010 RFL Wrap Up meeting held at the Moorestown Library- with representatives from relays throughout Burlington County including Medford, Delran and Marlton. ACS Staffers including our Staff Partner, Marissa Levin, were there. Mike Cashen, Medford Chairperson and all the Committee people were in attendance. It was a hardworking group. Team Captains from most of the top teams were there for recognition.

Surfin For A Cure once again made the Bronze Level of the National Fundraising Club! Yeah Team! I have another sign for our campsite and 15 gorgeous Relay Pins for you! Congratulations!

Some 2010 stats that I wrote down:

The Eastern Division- includes NY and NJ
52,000 patients were helped with our donations in Eastern Div
In South Jersey- 15 relays
2842 patients were helped in SJ
1300+ were newly diagnosed in SJ
60 wigs were provided to cancer patients in SJ
85 breast prosthesis were provided to patients in SJ
307 participated in the Look Good Feel Better program in SJ
654 received one-way rides from Road To Recovery volunteer drivers in SJ
11 million survivors will celebrate another "birthday" this year nationally
$453,865.64 was raised by our three relays- Delran, Marlton & Medford
$22.5 million raised nationally
$1.3 million raised in all 15 relays of the SJ region

CONGRATULATIONS to all the teams and participants! What a wonderful thing to be a part of and know that the donations and efforts are really making a difference!

2011 Relay For Life of Medford, NJ
June 11-12, 2011 (8:00 AM-8:00 AM)
FREEDOM PARK in MEDFORD, NJ

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer- Also An ACS Fundraiser

2010-10-18T17:43:00.004-04:00

This year I decided to help the ACS in a new way for me- by participating not only in Relay For Life but also in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk. There are numerous Making Strides events, but I am walking on Sunday Oct 24th at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.
If you would like to join my Strides team- sign up online here:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY11Eastern?pg=team&fr_id=28002&team_id=801253

Last Call For 2010 Donations- Due by August 31st!

2010-08-24T09:05:00.000-04:00

RELAY ROCKED!! Relay For Life of Medford has raised over $200,000 and counting!
You have until 8/31 to turn in funds to count toward your team totals Please mail any additional donations to the American Cancer Society at 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 Attn: RFL Medford (include our team name so you and the team can get credit!)

Updated Team Total!

2010-07-13T14:48:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to the 2010 Surfin' For A Cure Team!
Our updated team total is:

$3805.40

We remember Pop Pop!

2010-06-24T10:41:00.000-04:00

Luminaria Light The Way

2010-06-24T10:37:00.004-04:00

This year our team was dedicated in the memory of Elizabeth Barnett. Our love and prayers goe out to Dave and Debbie Barnett and family.

Zumbathon Team Pic

2010-06-24T10:32:00.003-04:00

Here is a team picture from the Zumbathon! Thanks to Nina McGough for volunteering her time and talents to teach this class! Kim Ballinger skipped out on this photo- but Kim sells Mary Kay and has donated many profits to our team. She also donated a beautiful Mary Kay prize. Special thanks to Karen M for attending and helping out! We hope to do this again and pick a better weekend for it - but it was a great start! Many who could not attend offered donations to the team! THANK YOU NINA AND THANKS TO MEDFORD METHODIST CHURCH!

Elvis Rules Our Campsite!

2010-06-24T10:26:00.003-04:00

Ok so Elvis legs have seen better days... he was there to represent the theme of RELAY ROCKS and we had him as a tribute to "Aging Rockers." Notice he is celebrating his birthday. I have reached my 9th birthday- celebrating 9 years of survivorship. YEAH! The ACS has a theme of being the Proud Sponsor of Birthdays. So... he is celebrating! Elvis freaked out quite a few walkers as we had some low-tech animation going in the form of a ribbon that the kids pulled to make his rocker really move. His pic is now become an internet phenomenon as he is appearing now on Facebook pages and relay picture albums across the net! In fact, I did not take this image- I snagged it as they say! GO ELVIS!

Team Total- $3700 to date!

2010-06-24T10:24:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to my amazing team for once again reaching the BRONZE LEVEL! I find this truly amazing especially in this economy. THANK YOU ALL for a job well done and for your love and support of one another in our own cancer-related struggles.

Congratulations to 2010 Team!

2010-06-24T10:22:00.001-04:00

Zumbathon!! June 5, 2010, 2-4 pm

2010-05-13T00:50:00.007-04:00

ZUMBATHON!
$20 in Advance$25 at DoorLimited Space!
DOOR PRIZES! GAMES & FUN!

Benefit for the American Cancer SocietyRelay For Life of Medford

Nina McGough
Licensed Zumba ® Instructor

Saturday, June 5, 2010
2-4 PM
doors open 1:45pm

Bowker Hall, Medford United Methodist Church
2 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ

CALL MARY: 609-513-1270 to reserve your spot!
Brought To You By
Surfin’ For A Cure Relay Team
The Medford United Methodist Church

No experience necessary! Fun for adults of all ages- guys & Girls!
Wear your workout clothes & Sneakers
JOIN THE FUN! HOTTEST LATIN FITNESS CRAZE!
Checks payable to: American Cancer Society

ZUMBA FUNDRAISER!

2010-03-22T11:45:00.002-04:00

Details are being ironed out right now for our first Zumba Fitness Fundraiser featuring Nina McGough, dance instructor! What is Zumba? For one thing, it's a lot of FUN! It's fitness for all ages, all stages, males and females alike! Nina is a certified Zumba instructor and will lead a class in Latin movements to benefit the American Cancer Society! Details soon! http://60701.zumba.com/

New 2010 Team Now Forming! New members welcome!

2010-02-07T10:50:00.003-05:00

You are welcome to join me for the 2010 Relay For Life of Medford! June 19-20, 2010 we will be at Freedom Park! My team has "spawned" quite a few other teams and we have room for new people to join us. We have been with the RFL Medford since its start and since the start of my survivorship in 2001. To register for my team please shoot me an email at medford.relay at gmail.com and let me know of your intent. Then register online under "Surfin' For A Cure" at http://www.medfordrelay.com/ I am currently filling Surf Team I. If we go over 15 we will open a new team. My team is made up of friends and family and members of the Medford United Methodist Church. But all are welcome!

Mary Kay Open House!

2009-10-17T19:15:00.005-04:00

You Are Invited To Attend

Mary Kay Cosmetics Open House!

FOOD! FUN! PRIZES! FRIENDS!

AND BEAUTIFUL COSMETICS

YOU HAVE COME TO KNOW AND LOVE!
COME! SHOP! STAY A LITTLE OR A LOT!

Fundraiser for The American Cancer Society
Hosted by Beauty Consultant, Kim Ballinger

A percentage of proceeds to benefit

2010 Relay For Life of Medford

via the “Surfin’ For A Cure” Team

Friday October 23, 2009 Time: 7-9PM
Saturday October 24, 2009 Time: 2-4PM

704 Baylor Street, Delran, NJ 08075
RSVP: Kim (856) 764-6677

Kim's Mary Kay Fundraiser for Relay For Life!

2009-10-01T14:42:00.004-04:00

Team member, Kim Ballinger, is kicking it off this year by hosting a Mary Kay fundraiser. A percentage of the funds will be donated through the Surfin' For A Cure team to the American Cancer Society- Relay For Life. Thank you, Kim! Team members will receive invitation shortly. The event is scheduled at Kim's home in Delran on Friday Oct 23 and Sat Oct 24. Details will follow. I know I can use some more mascara and of course there will be refreshments and fellowship and support for the relay! Hope to see you all there! If you have any questions- email me and I will send Kim your way.

Congratulations Bronze Team! You were honored last night!

2009-10-01T11:50:00.004-04:00

Many congratulations to my team! Last night was a meeting at the Medford Community Center honoring the accomplishments of the local relay community for the 2009 Relay event. Our team was announced for making the Bronze level once again! YEAH! We received another Bronze sign and we will be receiving pins in the mail soon. We were also mentioned an honorable mentions in top 3 for decorating contest. YEAH! I am going to write more extensively about the entire event accomplishments on my relay blog
http://medfordrelay.blogspot.com/

Next year's event is June 19, 2010!

BRONZE TEAM! Going to the celebration!

2009-09-19T10:49:00.004-04:00

Hellooooooo Surfin' For A Cure BRONZE team! As we raised over $2500 this past June I expect our team will once again be awarded the BRONZE team distinction this year! Congratulations! I have been asked to attend the 2009 RFL of Medford Wrap -Up Celebration & Awards Presentation on Sept 30 at 7pm at the Medford Community Center on Main Street.

Last year it was a really nice event! The whole relay "gang" of local relay hardcores was there to pat themselves on their deserving backs and celebrate another great year of hard work for the American Cancer Society. And let me tell you- that committee works so darned hard each year! I was not even on the regular committee this time and yet I felt I worked hard as a mere team captain. But you know- being on that committee in the past- it's A LOT OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION and they deserve to celebrate!

They will of course announce all the teams and amounts they raised and we will find out the final total raised (both online and offline combined) for the entire event! YEAH! Lot's of clapping! Anyone from the Surfin' For A Cure Team is welcome to come on out and enjoy! Just let me know! They always have some food and lots of event pictures.

Don't be surprised if you become caught up in the enthusiasm and consider joining a committee for next JUNE 19, 2010 at Freedom Park!

2010 Relay Site is Up and Running!

2009-09-06T23:41:00.000-04:00

Event Date: June 19-20, 2010
Event Coordinator: Marissa Levin
Event Coordinator Email: medford.relay@cancer.org

2009 Team Total To Date- CONGRATULATONS!

2009-07-25T14:06:00.000-04:00

$3046!

Raffle of a Lifetime!

2009-07-25T14:02:00.001-04:00

The Raffle of a Lifetime was won by Pat Eberly of Williamstown, NJ. The relay sold 1027 tickets for a total profit of $11540.00!! Thanks to Kim McIntyre for organizing this! Thanks to all who bought or sold tickets! Surfin For A Cure sold a total of 36 tickets and our credit was $396!! YEAH!

Thank you Surfin' For A Cure Team!

2009-06-21T14:13:00.002-04:00

What an incredible team you are! We had rain and wind and mud and you name it- but we kept the spirit and kept on walking! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Thank you all for the huge canopies and all the chairs and tables, the grill and food and friendship! Thanks to the guys fron "No Excuses" for their awesome classic rock set- that ROCKED THE HOUSE! Thank you for your donations to the American Cancer Society. Thanks for talking to me about cancer- a thing that is everpresent in the back of my mind. Talking about it helps. Thanks to our team survivors for their courage and to their families for their continued support in their fight against cancer. Thanks for helping me duct tape the decorations and for ruining your sneakers in the mud! Thanks for the pringles. Thanks for kazooing and raffling and wearing a blow-up palm tree for the "crazy hat lap" Thanks for wearing Hawaiian shirts, leis and funny hats. Thanks for wearing ponchos and garbage bags and rain gear. Thanks to the team kids for helping with the fundraisers and making us older people smile as we watched you enjoy your day. Thanks for hamburgers at 9pm and good conversation. Thanks for oohing and aahing at the fireworks and walking laps at 1am and 2 am and 3 am. Thanks for snoring in a tent and sleeping in cars. Thanks for strong coffee fresh from the grill at 5 am. Thanks for lugging tons of muddy equipment into cars. Thanks for a WONDERFUL RELAY FOR LIFE! I love you guys!

Rain! Rain! Go Away! Especially this Sat-ur-day!

2009-06-19T10:11:00.000-04:00

The weather report keeps deteriorating for our relay day! Who cares? I have been busy waterproofing my decorations and rethinking a few things in terms of the anticipated rain. Lightning I do not like! Looks like we may get some. But I have been through rainy relays before- and it does not dampen the spirit! What is a little rain? HAH! RAIN CLOUDS! I LAUGH IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION!!

Officially it's a rain or shine event. In reality- the rain obviously has a huge impact. If it is a lightning storm we go inside Allen School to their air conditioned gym. If it's just rain- we are outside. Thank goodness for my teammates who are planning on bringing big canopies!

2009 Relay Themed Laps Information

2009-06-14T17:07:00.000-04:00

2009 RELAY THEME LAPS

In honor of Relay's 25th Anniversary all theme laps will begin at 25 minutes

after the hour (more or less). You will also notice a 25th Anniversary theme

throughout the laps. Use your imagination, earn spirit points and most of all…

HAVE FUN!!!

12:00 PM
Survivor\Caregiver Lap

1:25 PM
1984 Lap
Celebrate the first year that Relay took place by dressing like it's 1984 again!

2:15 PM
Kid's walk lap
The kid's take the track!

2:25 PM
Beach Party\Luau Lap
Celebrate Relay's 25th anniversary with a beach party theme! Break out the beach gear, bathing suits and lei's!

3:25 PM
Crazy Hat Lap
Wear your craziest hat or better yet make a crazy hat and wear that!

4:25 PM
Workin for the Weekend Lap
Dress up like any occupation or job

5:00 PM
Fight Back Lap

5:25 PM
Power of Purple Lap
Celebrate 25 years of Relay with as much purple as you can!

6:00 PM
Fight Back Banner Lap

6:25 PM
Silver Surfer Lap (Superhero\Villian Lap)
Dress like your favorite Superhero or Villian! (Maybe you want to dress up like the Silver Surfer to celebrate Relay's Silver Anniversary?!?!?!)

7:25 PM
Fun and Games Lap
Dress like your favorite game piece, character, game, playing card…use your imagination!

8:25 PM
Mutli-Cultural Lap
This is your opportunity to proudly represent your cultural background. Cancer affects everyone, regardless of their heritage.

9:00 PM
Luminaria

10:00 PM
Fireworks

10:25 PM
Birthday Lap
Help us to celebrate Relay's 25th birthday! Wear your birthday hats, birthday decorations but, please, no birthday suits!

11:25 PM
Silver Screen Lap
Dress up like your favorite actor\actress\movie character

12:25 AM
PJ's Lap
It's late! Put your pajamas on!

1:25 AM
Hi-Ho Silver Lap
Dress like a Cowboy from your favorite Western!

2:25 AM
Pirate Lap
Arrgh! Dress like a pirate!

3:25 AM
Favorite Sports Team Lap
Show off your team spirit!

4:25 AM
Bedhead Lap
Wake up sleepyhead and show off your best bedhead hair!

5:25 AM
25 years in the Future Lap
What will Relay look like 25 years or more in the future?

6:25 AM
Clean up Lap
Grab a trash bag and help us clean up the mess we made with all of our fun!

On-Site Fundraiser- Walking Club!

2009-06-10T18:10:00.000-04:00

I have ordered supplies for a fun on-site fundraiser for our team. It's a Walking Club- where you can earn little plastic footprint tokens to put on a necklace for walking laps. We are sharing this with Marisa's team- Team Awesome. She got the idea from her college's relay. Sometimes they use this for walking/fitness clubs at schools, etc. Here is how it works:

Pay $3.00 to join the club!

Receive Necklace and Lap Tracker!

Must sign-in and show necklace each time you receive tokens.

Get a plastic foot token for every 5 laps you walk.

Use the Lap Tracker- Mark every lap- may be kept at club table.

Count your own laps- Honor System!

Kid’s Walk Special! Kids cost just $2.00 to join!

Up to 10 tokens per membership. (50 Laps)

½ Price to rejoin! $1.00 for another 10 tokens earned.

Must sign-in and show necklace each time you receive tokens.

While supplies last!

Kid's Walk 09

2009-06-09T15:35:00.001-04:00

Kids- Register for your team as usual if you intend to stay overnight or raise funds to count toward a team. Then go online and register as a Kids Walk participant. Do NOT sign up for the Kids Walk team- unless you are going it alone and just want to do the Kids Walk exclusively. The KW Team monies do NOT count toward other team totals. But- DO WALK! The Kids Walk is a great event. Also- feel free to volunteer to participate by helping the Kids Walk- run a booth, game, sell something with kid appeal and cheer the kids on!

Luminaria Clarification

2009-06-07T13:24:00.000-04:00

The luminarias being sold through the ACS webpage are $10 each. The 3 for $25 option is only available if you order using a printed out paper form and turning it in through your team or mailing it in. Be sure the form has the purchasers name and put the team name/Medford on it to correctly credit it to the participant and team.

Pins from last year's event

2009-06-06T10:41:00.000-04:00

I have beautiful pins for our team members from the 2008 relay. They are celebrating that we made the Bronze Team Fundraising Level. I will have these at relay for everyone. I apologize for not getting them out to you sooner, but since I was not as involved as other years I received them late myself. They are beautiful as always! Dig up your old ones and wear them at Relay! You might look like a 4-star general!

Do you need supplies?

2009-06-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

Luminaria order forms?
Collection envelopes?
I will have a batch at church this Sunday June 6th. Or shoot me a call or email and I can get this stuff to you.

T shirts- NOT!

2009-06-06T10:34:00.000-04:00

This year I am not making team shirts. But in keeping with the Surf theme I would like everyone to wear a Hawaiian shirt. I hit the jackpot at a the Goodwill Thrift Shop on Rt 38 in Mt Holly and got 3 for my family for $3 each! If you raise $100 in time for the June 15th meeting (when I choose our campsite) then you are guaranteed an official 2009 Relay For Life ACS T-shirt. This would look great underneath the Hawaiian shirt! :) If you turn in the $100 late- you MIGHT still qualify for a shirt if they do not run out of your size. C'mon! I KNOW you are in this for the shirt! ;) Anyone want to go pirate-style? You are welcome to get creative!

Meet My 2009 Team So Far!

2009-06-06T10:31:00.000-04:00

MEET THE 2009 TEAM:

Mary Manion (survivor)
Paul Manion
Cappie Peek (Mary's Mom)
George Ballinger Jr
George Ballinger Sr
Nancy Ballinger (survivor)
John Oleniacz
Brandi Meli Richardson
Deirdre Smith
Spencer Smith
Hannah Smith
BJ Smith (survivor)

In addition- several former teammates are running their own teams this year- Marisa Manion, Charles Smith and Richie Doron. Congrats to them for their efforts!

I have opened a Surfin' For A Cure 2 team- so there is plently of room for more registrations. (Cut off is 15 per team.) Join today!

Decorating Contest & 25 Years of Relay

2009-06-05T22:30:00.000-04:00

It's official. I signed our team up for the decorating contest. Not that I care about winning. It's just that I think having a decorated campsite is the only way to experience the relay. This year there is no cheesy theme for the event. In the past, we have had a circus theme, a multi-cultural theme, a movie theme. You name it. There has been a relay somewhere doing it. Since nationally the American Cancer Society is celebrating 25 years of Relay For Life- the committee decided to adopt the 25 years as a theme of sorts.

The 25 year thing has led to some confusion in the troops. NO! The Relay For Life of Medford has not been around for 25 years! Not yet, anyway. In fact, the first relay in Medford was at Lenape High School in June of 2001. A year that will live in infamy in my mind since it is also the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Some things you just never forget! So I am an 8-year survivor and this is my ninth relay. Wow!

So here are the official 2009 rules for the decorating contest:

Tent Decorating Rules and Guidelines
• Each team participating in the tent decorating contest, can register at any of the team
meetings prior to the event day or email your team name, team contact person and camp
location (if known) to kimberly.mcintyre@mortgagefamily.com by June 15, 2009.
• You may also register the day of the event (June20), by 11:30 am. The sign up sheet will
be located in the registration pavilion at 9:00 am.
• A team registration can be a combination of more than one team if the campsites are
adjacent to each other so the decorations can be judged as one body of work.
• Spirit points will be given to the top three scoring teams.
• Decorations are within the confines of your team's campsite, but not limited to the tents.
• Props or costuming can also be a part of your decorating set up.
• Teams will be judged on their originality, visual effect, use of props/costumes, use
of cancer facts and/or tips on prevention, overall effect and representation of the
Medford and ACS themes.
Medford: 25th Anniversary
ACS : Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back
• Judging will start at 3:00 pm and finish by 5:00 pm on Saturday.
• The winning team(s) will be announced no later than the closing ceremonies and
awarded spirit points.

I wrote to Kim and suggested that many teams may not care so much for spirit points. At least not mine! We are too far from winning the spirit points. We want recognition, plain and simple. Give me an old-fashioned sign to plunk at my site and take a team pic with it. That of course is assuming we win, place or show! She was very kind and said she would consider my plea. I suspect she is humoring me, but that's okay. She is nice enough to run the contest and I sure hope there are a lot of decorated sites this year. And not just the BIG teams- you know who you are! They had some WONDERFUL sites last year! WOW! But how about those little teams? The one with a survivor mom and pop and a couple of friends with lawn chairs. You know who you are! At least scrawl out a sign with a 25 on it and get into the relay decorating spirit!

Now back to our team- Surfin' For A Cure. Here is our plan- it's no secret- we are not the Mummers afterall. We are cashing in on a display I made at my school. I have a treasure chest! See the picture above of my display? Hey! That kind of goes with breast cancer, doesn't it? ;) Treasure CHEST? (Groan!) We are going to decorate with "Treasure The Memories- 25 Years Of Relay- 9 in Medford" The treasure chest will hold photos of relays past. We will have a beachy surf theme going. I will resist the urge to write "Treasure The Mammories." :) I can use some help with the decorating. I want to include more of the guidelines for the contest- prevention, cancer facts, etc. This could be in the form of a treasure map "Mapping The Way To A Cure." What ev! HAR! YO HO HO! Happy decorating!

Luminaria For Sale

2009-06-04T22:42:00.000-04:00

The highlight of any Relay For Life event is the Luminary Lap- where hundreds and hundreds of paper bags with candles illuminate the night around the track. Each bag is adorned with a name honoring a survivor or commemorating a loved one lost. The Relay For Life of Medford has a 9pm lap and it is a very somber moment of an otherwise light-hearted event. I find the Luminary Ceremony very moving. It is a part of the relay that helps me grieve the many losses associated with cancer. It also helps me move on. After the luminary lap- the skies light up with fireworks and then the lights go back on and we party all night long!

Would you like to purchase a luminaria and have it appear at the relay? Luminaries cost $10 each or 3 for $25 this year. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Email me for ordering information medford.relay@gmail.com

Kazoos Against Cancer- Join Up! No Experience Needed!

2009-05-13T00:20:00.000-04:00

Kazoos Against Cancer is a fun bunch that started for the first time at Relay 2008. It is a Kazoo Karaoke "pick-up" band- in otherwords- no practices, no experience, just the will to come and learn to kazoo! Bring your kazoo from last year or purchase one- with a free lifetime membership- for $2.00! All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society through the Surfin' For A Cure relay team. How does kazoo karaoke work? We gather on June 20 sometime in the afternoon. Last year it was just prior to the Kid's Walk. Time will be announced. Mary is a music teacher- and a bit of a nut! She leads the kazoos with gusto. We play along to music tracks- its fool proof! You can't go wrong! We played about 1/2 hour last year then we took to the track and did a lap playing When The Saints Go Marching In. What could be more fun? Hits from last year included Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog..) among others. Come out and have some fun at relay and count on doing the kazoos. Just show up- kazoos available for a donation at the event.

New teammates wanted!

2009-04-16T13:18:00.000-04:00

I am looking to fill at least one team of 15 for the Relay and so far I still have openings! :) I know I have a "last minute" crew- but I sure would like a guaranteed team. Are you following my blog and not registered yet? Please do so at http://www.medfordrelay.com/ Surfin' For A Cure Team! Register today! If you are new to relay I would love to have you on my team! Email me with any questions you may have. My info is on the sidebar! Join me and Paul and Cappie and Brandi in our quest against cancer!

Have you registered?

2009-03-23T20:29:00.000-04:00

Time to make the commitment! Sign up for my team by going to http://www.relayforlife.org/medfordNJ and search through the teams for Surfin' For A Cure. Be sure to spell it exactly or you will not be able to find the team. Or go to the right side of the page and view all teams- and find Surf. Follow the prompts to sign up. $10 registration fee is needed- you can use a credit card. If you need help- call me! Contact info at right! We would love some new members! Join now!

Fundraising Opportunities- RAFFLE OF A LIFETIME!

2009-03-19T15:34:00.001-04:00

THE RAFFLE OF A LIFETIME is a great fundraising opportunity! Team members are encouraged to sell! More importantly- I think you should buy a ticket for yourself! It's such a great prize! Here are the details:

RAFFLE OF A LIFETIME
To Benefit: American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Medford
(1) One Grand Prize to be Awarded
($9000.00 value)
PRIZE: Travel Gift Certificate* for an all inclusive trip for two
to one (1) of the following travel destinations:
Super Bowl Pro Bowl
Indy 500 Daytona 500
MLB All-Star Game World Series
NBA All-Star Game NBA Finals
NHL All-Star Game NHL Stanley Cup
US Open Tennis or Golf The Masters
NCAA Final Four BCS Championship Game
Kentucky Derby
Walt Disney World (Florida or California)
St. Thomas Virgin Islands
Carnival Cruise (Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska)
Drawing to be held on or before June 20, 2009
Ticket Price $20.00 Each
Only 2000 tickets being sold for better odds of winning
*Please see ticket for complete details
Someone asked if the trips are "all inclusive" and yes they are!

Contact Mary at 609-513-1270 for a ticket or email brassmom@gmail.com

How To Join My Team or Make A Donation

2009-03-09T21:30:00.000-04:00

Would you like to join the team? It's easy! You can do it online- go to the link for the 2009 Relay For Life of Medford site found at http://www.relayforlife.org/medfordNJ Search through the teams and join Surfin' For A Cure! If you need help- ask me.

If you would like to make a donation- go to the website and you can either make a general team donation. Our team receives "credit." Or better yet- choose a team member to donate to and both that member and our team receives "credit." Your donation supports the programs of the American Cancer Society. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

How can you reach me? See the contact info on the right side of this blog.

New Surf Blog Replaces Old Website

2009-03-09T21:24:00.000-04:00

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, the computer became my lifeline. I was a member of an online support group. Eight years ago, this was somewhat of a novelty. Today it is common place! Women on the site www.bcsupport.org helped me through. We learned to cope through love and laughter. We made friends. We lost friends. We survived in one way or another. I became a moderator for the site and was lucky to be able to give back. When it came time to form a relay team- it seemed obvious to me that my team should salute online support and education. Surfin' For A Cure had a mission!

I have maintained a webpage for the team since then. It still exists at http://surfin4acure.tripod.com/ But it is time to update and I am gradually moving content to this blog. Welcome to the new site of the Surf!

History of the Relay For Life- Since 1985

2009-03-09T21:15:00.000-04:00

From the American Cancer Society Website:
One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.
While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.

The 2009 Relay- June 20-21, 2009 FREEDOM PARK

2009-03-09T18:14:00.000-04:00

2009 is the 8th year of relay in Medford, NJ. The past two relays we were the largest event in the state. 2008 marked the year we reached our one-millionth dollar raised in our community. I was happy to have been able to help as Publicity Chair and in other positions in previous years. I am no longer officially on the committee- for personal reasons- but I am working behind the scenes to help promote the event. Of course I will have the Surfin' For A Cure team! This is also the 25th year of Relay and the "theme" this year celebrates this milestone nationwide. Be sure to visit my links for the Official RFL Medford Fundraising site and for my Relay Blog- both of which list details of the event as they are known. This blog will feature details of our own team- Surfin' For A Cure. Welcome back!

Surfin' For A Cure Rides Again!

2009-03-09T17:31:00.001-04:00

Since 2001, the Surfin' For A Cure Relay For Life team has supported the American Cancer Society through participation in the Relay For Life of Medford, NJ. I have enjoyed being Team Captain and leading the yearly charge to the track! My team seems to change every year- but one thing is constant- our members have been touched by cancer and we have a dedication to doing something each year to work toward winning the war on cancer. The Relay For Life of Medford is more than just a walk to raise money. It's connections to the cancer community at the local level. It's knowing that our community has embraced us as much as we have it. It's the hope that cancer will one day be cured for all!