HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We wish you all, good health, happiness, and prosperity this holiday season.  There is no better gift, than the gift of life; be sure to get those last minute donations in to the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life.   Visit Relay For Life of Buncombe County to donate.  Check with your employer for matching funds, too; your donation could have even more of an impact!  We thank you!!

Be sure to get your gifts wrapped by our Relay Teams at Barnes and Noble (Asheville Mall) on Friday, December 2, Sunday, December 4, and Sunday, December 18.

TEAM CAPTAIN'S AND COMMITTEE MEETING! TUESDAY!

Hi Everyone!  Looking forward to seeing you all at our next Team Captain's and Committee meeting on Tuesday, 11/15, 5:30, at Grassy Branch Baptist Church (thank you Mary!) located at 999 Riceville Road near the VA Hospital.  Bring your Xmas T-shirt orders, and we'll get them in so that shirts will be ready by December 1 or 2.  'Tis the season for giving!!   Speaking of giving, be sure to come out to Barnes and Noble on Sunday, 12/18, to FIGHT CANCER and get your presents wrapped by your very own Party Animals!

CONGRATS TO LADIES WORKOUT EXPRESS

 

Congratulations to Ladies Workout Express on a most successful Health Fair held in their Asheville River Ridge location on October 17, 2011.  They raised about $1500 for the American Cancer Society and got a terrific jump start on their fund raising efforts for Relay 2012.   WAY TO GO, LADIES!!!  And, we thank you!

RELAY FOR LIFE OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Thanks to all for a great meeting last night.  Here's the Christmas Shirt ready for orders.   It's long sleeved, and can be ordered in RED or GREEN.  $15 and they make great gifts.  All profits go to Relay For Life and will be credited to you and your team.  Bring your orders to our November 15 meeting at Grassy Branch Baptist Church.  Looking forward to seeing you all again, and all the new faces who will be joining you.  Start getting your teams together, registering on the website, setting goals, determining who's doing what, and it's not too early to start talking about your campsites at RELAY in June.  The more fundraising you do early, the more fun you'll have at Relay!  Remember to talk RELAY to survivors, to your neighbors, to your co-workers, to your friends, to your church, and even to folks you don't yet know.  Get your purple on!!

FIRST 2012 TEAM CAPTAIN'S AND COMMITTEE MEETING!

We're ready to start working on the 2012 Relay season with our first Team Captains and Committee meeting on October 18, at the ACS office.  Team Captains meet at 5:30, followed at 6:30 with the Committee.  Let's get a jump start; see you there!!

120 Executive Park, Building 1 (off Tunnel Road). 

THE COLORS OF RELAY:  PAINT A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER

SOUTHEAST SUMMIT 2011

WOW!!  Just got back from the most inspiring, and spirited RELAY event.  I am ready to get out there and kick butt (cancer's, that is!).  We have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident we're up to the challenges that are ahead of us in our countdown to RELAY FOR LIFE OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY!  Find your passion to relay, and the rest is easy.  Are you with me?? Get your PURPLE on and let's go!

SCARE UP A CURE FOR CANCER!

First fundraiser??  Short sleeved, $10; Long sleeved, $15.  Orders must be in (with payment) by October 14 to have these wonderful shirts by Halloween.  Contact me:  relay.bon@gmail.com for further information. 

FIRST EVER RELAY FOR LIFE BUNCOMBE COUNTY KICKOFF

HAPPY NEW RELAY YEAR, everyone.  Great to be back with you again.  This year, I'm in a new role as Relay Chairman.  We're off with a great start with a NEW YEAR'S KICKOFF PARTY celebrating the first Buncombe County RELAY event.  Join us!  Bring your friends, teams, family and anyone wanting to know what Relay is all about.  We'll be introducing this year's theme:  THE COLORS OF RELAY:  PAINTING A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER, as well as sharing some awesome fund raising ideas.  We have Dr. Margaret Offerman (the Medical Director of Mission's new Cancer Center) as our guest speaker.  Come for food, fun, and fund raising ideas.  We'll see you there to start the new RELAY year.

TEAM WRAP UP 2011 - JULY 28 - COME ONE, COME ALL!

Don't miss the Relay 2011 Team Wrap Up Picnic on July 28 at Carrier Park (Amboy Road).  Information coming by email and postcards next week!   All team members, and perspective team members invited.   This is your chance to tell us what worked and what you'd like to see better for Relay 2012.  We need YOU to make Relay 2012 a success.  It's not too early to get started with fund raising and planning; with all your hard work done early, you can really enjoy Relay, meet other teams, and mingle with the community.  Hope to see you there!

WE DID IT, ASHEVILLE!!

Thank you to our host, AC Reynolds High School.  What a great day we had for RELAY!  A little warm setting up, with occasional cooling breezes.  No winds, no rain -- couldn't have asked for better weather for a Relay.  The teams were out in force, a sea of purple shirts could be seen everywhere.  Dinner was delightful with many thanks to Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Old Europe for dessert.  Check out our facebook page for more photos and comments:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Relay-For-Life-of-Asheville/425492435312    

Thousands of Luminaria lined the track (both sides!) and spelled out HOPE and CURE in the bleachers.  What a magnificent sight.  

For those who missed it, be sure to come next year and tell all your friends.  Fund raising, honoring our survivors, remembering those we have lost, and involving our community is what it's all about.

Photos courtesy of Dan Gundlach.

TOMORROW'S THE BIG DAY!!

COME ONE, COME ALL to AC Reynolds for Asheville's Relay for Life!!  After so much hard work, it's finally here.  See you at Reynolds!!

COUNTDOWN!! 3 DAYS TO GO

Hi everyone!  

Bank Night tonight!   Teams, bring in those dollars to be counted!  Your  T-shirts are in!  Mingle with other teams and get some ideas.  A great RELAY is just 3 days away.

COUNTDOWN!! 7 DAYS TO GO AND WE'RE EXCITED!!

Hard to believe we're down to the wire, after so many months of hard work and preparation.  The Survivor Committee has got many surprises planned; the Luminaria ceremony will be awesome; and 46 teams registered.  Our new home at AC Reynolds HS will be great, and we're all ready to go!!

Teams can start setting up at noon; survivor registration begins at 5:00, with opening ceremonies at 6:00.  We are so looking forward to seeing everyone out there -- COME ONE, COME ALL, have some fun, and be inspired.

15 DAYS, 47 TEAMS, MAY 31 is BANK NIGHT

Hey Asheville!!  Just 2 weeks to go!  Are you getting your team plans finalized?  The challenge is 1900 Luminaria, and don't forget canned foods for Manna.  Team Campsites will be judged for creativity, and please show a special welcome to our survivors as they will be coming around, too.  Encourage all your friends, families, and co-workers to join us at RELAY.    We look to have this a a great event for the entire community.  See you there on June 3, AC Reynolds HS.  Survivor registration starts at 5:00, with opening ceremonies at 6:00.  Great bands and activities planned.   COME ONE, COME ALL!!

Also, teams .... Bank Night is Tuesday, May 31, from 5-7 p.m.   Get your t-shirts, turn in your fund raising efforts, and chat.

WAY TO GO -- 47 TEAMS!!

We're coming down to the wire now, and we have 47 teams registered!   Great job, Asheville!  18 Days to go, and one more Team Captain's meeting.  That's tomorrow evening, May 17, 5:30, at the Public Works Building on Charlotte Street.   Hope to see you there!

DESSERT!

Thank you Melinda, for agreeing to provide yummy pastries for our dessert!

OUR SURVIVOR DINNER

Many thanks to:  RED LOBSTER, LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE, AND OLIVE GARDEN for providing our Survivor dinner. 

SURVIVOR GOODIES

Just so you know, the survivor committee has been busy gathering all kinds of goodies and special things for our SURVIVORS!!    We just need to get them to the event to enjoy!   Lots of activities and door prizes, too.

26 DAYS TO GO!!

With only 26 days to go until Relay, there's still time to bring more teams in, and to raise money to fight back for the cure.   We can do it, Asheville!!!   Gather those survivors!  Sell those Luminaria!!

WAY TO GO ASHEVILLE!!

Only 5 more teams needed to reach goal!!   CONGRATULATIONS ASHEVILLE!

ONE MONTH TO GO!!

We have just four short weeks until RELAY; it's really time to shift into high gear!  Teams, pick your countries!  Plan your campsites!   Fund raise!!   Bring in Survivors!   Sell those Luminaria!!   We'd love for one team member to help us with the Survivor Dinner service, too.  Last team meeting is Tuesday, May 17 @ 5:30. 

With mixed emotions, we say so long to our ACS Staff Support Nancy Caine, and wish her the BEST with her new job.  She did promise to volunteer at our Relay!!

And, we offer a HUGE welcome to Amy Renigar, who's stepping in to support us.

ONLY 7 MORE TEAMS TO GOAL!!

39 days to go; 7 more teams -- we can do it!!  Be sure your teams get registered online!  And, it would be awesome to have all 50 teams represented at our next meeting:  May 17, 5:30 at the Public Works Building on Charlotte Street.   See you all there!

Don't forget to get those survivors registered, too!  Either online, or complete the Survivor form and mail it in, or drop it by the ACS office.

MONTHLY MEETING!

Had a great turnout at last night's monthly Team Captain's meeting.   We welcomed TWO new teams, Stronger Together (Curves of Fairview) and Great Beginnings (Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry).  This month's team challenge is to bring in those survivors!!  We have so many cool things planned for our survivors -- we just need to get them to RELAY.   Fund raising ideas were shared.  It's getting close ..... let's strive for the BEST RELAY EVER!!     New location, new attitude!

Be sure to contact Mike Fielder (logistics chair) about your Team's campsite requirements.

TEAM MEETING REMINDER

Hi.  For all you new and existing teams out there .... we meet tomorrow night, Tuesday, April 19, at 5:30.  We're at the Public Works Building on Charlotte Street.   See you there!!

FASHION SHOW A BIG SUCCESS!

WOW!  Those working women sure know how to throw a fashion show!  With adorable birdhouses (giveaways) adorning each table, a huge array of raffle prizes, great clothes to show off (courtesy of Ad Lib), and lots of smiles and laughter, there was no way to miss on this one.  A great time was had by all.  And, although this writer has no clue how much money was raised for Relay, I am certain we are lots closer to our goal today.  Thanks to everyone who participated -- from clothes, hair, makeup, and jewelry to everyone who came out to support.  I look forward to next year's event.

NEW TEAM REGISTERED

Welcome to the Foot Fixers (Appalachian Foot and Ankle).   We look forward to seeing you at the Team Meeting on Tuesday, April 19 - 5:30 at the Public Works Building on Charlotte Street.

WE'RE ALMOST AT OUR GOAL FOR TEAMS!!

Happy Hump Day - Wednesday.  We're pushing hard to register 50 teams for this year's Relay event.  If you've talked to folks about forming a team, please do what you can to ensure they register online!   It's so easy to do.  If each team, or committee member, can bring in just ONE NEW TEAM, we are there!!  Relay will be here before we can blink our eyes.

Don't forget the AB Tech Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 21, from 11-1.  Relay will have a table, and we're looking for volunteers, supporters, teams, etc. to join us at AC Reynolds on June 3.

Women Working for a Cure's annual Fashion Show and Luncheon is this Saturday, 11:30 to 2:00 at Asheville's Crowne Plaza.  Come join us for the fun!!   $25 includes lunch and a $14 tax deductible donation.  For more info, email  ww4acure@bellsouth.net

NEW TEAM in the Making!

Yesterday was a great day!   Another amazing thing happened.   I got a call from Appalachian Foot and Ankle (podiatry) asking how they could participate and support Relay for Life/Asheville.  WOW!   Imagine getting a proactive call from someone wanting to start a team.  As it turned out, the wife of our postmaster works there, and since our postmaster has been incredibly supportive (team Mighty Mailers) his wife took his enthusiasm over to her work group.   Unfortunately, he has had some health issues himself (doing better), but will be unable to continue spearheading his team.   How amazing that his wife is picking up where he left off, and her office is now planning their team strategies.    YIPPEE!!

THANK YOU BILTMORE ESTATE!

While I was visiting the Biltmore House yesterday, I stopped in to see if they would donate complimentary tickets for our Survivors.   Guess what??  THEY DID!!    On the spot, 2 passes were printed to be used as one of the great door prizes for our Survivor Dinner.  It's amazing what happens when you simply ask!  Relay is a great cause -- remember, in one way or another, directly or indirectly, we all will be touched by cancer.  We need to fight back every day!! 

Relay for a Cure/Asheville

Happy Friday!   Just found out that TWO MORE TEAMS have joined us!  We're really starting to fill up that track space.    Come one, come all!!  The next TEAM MEETING will be held on Tuesday, April 19, at the Public Works Building on Charlotte Street, 5:30-6:30.  Be there to meet your Relay Committee, get supplies for fundraisers, and, most of all, for the support, encouragement and recognition for doing a GREAT JOB!!  See you there.

WELCOME TO RELAY 4 A CURE

Welcome to our Relay/Asheville blog.   We are excited that you are here.  This year's event is being held at AC Reynolds High School on June 3-4, with opening ceremonies at 6:00 p.m.  We expect all you survivors out there to come earlier to register, mingle, and celebrate with us.  We have some fun things in store, and hope you will enjoy!  

We are very excited to welcome our new fundraising teams, and, of course our great returning teams.   This year, we are CARRYING THE TORCH OF HOPE to find the cure.  Be prepared to visit countries around the world as you walk around the track.

The 7th annual Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon, sponsored by Women Working for a Cure  will be held on Saturday, April 16, 11:30-2:00, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville.  All models are cancer survivors (yours truly, included).  So come and have some fun with us.  Tickets are $25 which includes a $14 tax deductible donation to Relay.

Stay tuned for Relay highlights!