The Global Fight Against Cancer

Belgium Holds Training for Three Relay For Life® Events in 2006

The Belgian Cancer League (Vlaamse Liga tegen Kanker vzw) held a Relay For Life training in Brugge on January 21, 2006. This training brought together Relay For Life chairs, local volunteers, and league staff from eight communities in Belgium. Twenty-one volunteers attended, representing the established and potential Relay committees. The Relay chair from the Netherlands' first Relay event also attended to share her experiences leading an event committee and establishing Relay in a culture similar to Belgium's. Participants shared experiences from the 2005 Relay events held in Belgium and brainstormed for the events to come. Three events are confirmed for Fall 2006: September 23-24, 2006, in Roselare; September 15-16, 2006, in Mickhelen; and September 30-October 1, 2006, in Herent.

Great Lakes Volunteer Trains Dutch Cancer Society on Relay For Life®

In January 2006, Great Lakes Division volunteer Misha Huffman conducted a training for the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kanker Bestrijding) to help prepare for its International Relay For Life events in 2006. The Dutch league, which plans to launch Relay For Life on May 27 2006, in Borger, Holland, gathered almost 20 volunteers and staff from the Borger and Barneveld communities. In addition, a staff member from the nearby Belgian Cancer League attended to share Relay experiences and collaborate on Relay strategies and best practices. Relay volunteers were invigorated by the ideas generated by the training and determined to raise awareness and funds in their communities through this exciting first-ever event.

Brazil Receives First International Relay For Life Training

Brazil Cancer Association staff and volunteers in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In October 2005, Ohio volunteer Shirley James assisted the International Relay training managers to conduct the first in-country Relay training for the Brazil Cancer Association. The Brazil Cancer Association plans to launch their first Relay event in June 2006. The training took place in Farialima, near Sao Paulo, and included 10 Brazilian staff and volunteers. The group learned the traditional standards and practices of launching Relay events, with a particular emphasis on the critical role of survivors.

Relay For Life Summit Hosts International Cancer Leagues

International cancer leagues attend Relay For Life Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

On 10 August 2005, nine countries joined the American Cancer Society in its annual Relay For Life summit held in Phoenix, Arizona. Cancer league representatives and volunteers from Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and South Africa attended general sessions and breakouts on best practices for Relay events. The country representative also received intensive training from Ohio volunteer Mimi Hable and gave updates on the progress of Relay in their countries. Other than Brazil, which will launch in the spring of 2006, each country has already realized impressive results. The international attendees benefited from interacting with the Divisions, learning how to improve the "5Ds" of Relay, and experiencing the power and energy of the dedicated event staff, volunteers, and survivors. Nineteen countries, including the United States, currently hold Relay For Life events.

Germany Launches Relay For Life

German running team at Relay For Life in Eckernförde, Germany

On 13 and 14 August 2005, Germany held its first Relay For Life event called "Lauf Ins Leben," in the northern town of Eckernförde, Germany. Lauf ins Leben, or "Walk into Life," was a well-organized event with 23 teams of survivors, friends and families, hospitals, the local government (including the town Bürgermeister or mayor), schools, the army, businesses, running clubs, and Nordic walking groups. The participants gathered at a local school, the Schulzentrum Süd, to kick of fthe 21-hour event.  Thirty-five survivors walked the first lap, and 200 luminarias burned brightly, withstanding heavy wind and rain throughout the night. More than 300 participants enjoyed folk, country, and rock music, as well as face painting, human table soccer games, and a performance by local cheerleaders. The local cancer league, called the Schleswig-Holsteinische Krebsgeschellschaft, raised more than 12,000 Euros for their cancer programs and services.