The Tuesday Ten | Relay for Life 2016

Can you believe I haven’t posted a Tuesday Ten since FEBRUARY! Oh my goodness! Events this past weekend called for a post on one of my favorite annual events, Relay for Life. 
1. What is Relay for Life? 
Have you ever heard of Relay for Life? Hopefully, you can all say yes! It’s such a touching event. If you haven’t it’s a 12 to 24 hour event where communities com together to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back for Cancer Victims and Survivors. Relay is a time to reflect and remember those who lost their battle but also celebrate all the strides we are making in cancer prevention and finding a cure. During relay and the months leading to relay teams raise money to help fund the American Cancer Socitey’s research and local programs for Cancer Patients. The Cache County Relay’s was a Heritage Event this year with it spanning 18 hours.  We used to be the only 24 hour Relay For Life Event in the State of Utah but with some scheduling issues and changing venues we opted for an 18 hour Heritage Event and it was great. Relay for Life is an awesome event! If you didn’t come check it out this past weekend, you missed out!
This year’s event was at Willow Park. I was surprised by how much we liked it and the SHADE! The weather was amazing this year because it’s usually windy and rained. The event went from 1 pm Friday to 7:30 am Saturday. I missed the closing ceremonies but overall the event was fabulous. 
2. How I got Into Relay for Life? 
This sweet man is the REASON I got into Relay for Life. This is my Grandpa Riggs. 
His story started back in 2008. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in the Jaw. He went through surgery to remove the cancer and radiation. He BEAT his cancer battle. Unfortunately, the radiation had it’s toll on this immune system and body and he got pneumonia. I remember he was hospitalized on my birthday in 2009 for the sickness. He was loosing weight too fast, wouldn’t eat or keep food down and went down hill too quickly. In April they put him on Hospice. Literally days later he passed away at home. We miss him dearly. We attend Relay for Life in his honor and started team Fish Fight 6 years ago. We’ve added many people to our list of people we relay for but my grandpa is what got me into the community. 
My grandpa’s story is found here: 
3. Team Fish Fight
We are TEAM FISH FIGHT! This picture is from 2013 but we strive to have family, friends, co workers, neighbors and loved ones on our team. Together we ban to make a difference. 
As a team, in the past 6 years we’ve raised over $89,000. 
As a team we raised over $14,000 this year! We took first place out of 21 teams. We have another $500 check pending as well so that puts us at $14,692!!

4. Grand Club Member
Every year I strive to be a grand club member! A grand club member is one who raises over $1,000. This year not only did I make grand club I was 3rd overall in individual fundraising! 


5. Grand Club Members
This year was the first time we had 9 Grand Club Members on our team! Way to go Fish Fight!
Fred, Beth, Stacey, Judy, Carol, Shayna, Steph, Jaycie and Steve

6. Event Totals 
Our event total this year is is over $40k!


7. Make a Difference
I realize each year that I do Relay that every individual person has a different capacity to help with this cause. Some people can not afford to donate money, I get that. I’ve been there. Some people can not physically make it to Relay and walk for hours on end. It is tiring. Some people do not have extra time to donate to running a team or being on the committee. Totally understandable. Whatever capacity you have to help Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society I CHALLENGE you to Make A Difference. No matter how much or how little, every step helps.

8. Who I Relay For
This year they did a lap and we represented / wrote who we relay for.

 9. Family Fun

Our team is mostly family so we always enjoy hanging out with those we don’t get to see all the time. I know some teams that use Relay as their Family Reunion. It’s a great time to enjoy the company of others! We had people travel from Las Vegas and Ohio to come join our team at Relay for Life!

10. Join the Committee! 

Relay is only as good as it’s committee! Cache County has been lucky to have some amazing committee members and Event Chairs. Jennifer did a great job this year!
BUT they are always looking for new people to join in and help out. A fresh new face with ideas or just the willingness to help out can go such a long ways. Are you interested? Contact the Relay for Life Committee! Either through me or on their Facebook page here. 

Relay On! And see you Next Year!

About Stacey Hansen

I'm a 30 something year old wife, mom, step mom, dog mom and photog! I'm passionate about capturing your memories in the moment and creating a unique client experience for all to love.