Dear Relay Field Day Coordinator:

The American Cancer Society sincerely thanks you for your interest in our Relay Field Day program. We truly appreciate your dedication to cancer education and prevention and the opportunity to help save lives from cancer.

Our Relay Field Day program is an extension of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, the Society’s signature event that brings together communities to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against cancer. At Relay For Life events, participants walk or run around a track or path in teams and raise funds that help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Likewise, Relay Recess events at elementary schools and Relay Field Day events at middle schools help raise funds that support the Society’s lifesaving mission. Relay Field Day events also provide middle school students an opportunity to learn to make healthy choices about nutrition, physical activity, sun safety, and tobacco and alcohol prevention. Cancer education is essential at this age because the good habits children learn early in life will stay with them as they grow into adulthood. These good habits will help them stay well and avoid the risk of serious disease, including cancer. Additionally, the Relay Field Day program provides middle school students valuable leadership and community services experience and activities.

Included in this kit are all the things you’ll need to get your Relay Field Day program started in your school, including sample classroom activities and fundraising ideas. The classroom activities provided will complement existing health education efforts at your school. The leadership and community service topics and activities will provide your students with a character-building experience as they become part of the world’s largest movement to end cancer.

Although we provide you with sample activities and fundraising ideas, your Relay Field Day program can be as flexible and customizable as you want it to be to best fit your school and your community. It’s our hope that you’ll successfully engage teachers, administrators, the PTA, parents, and students in this exciting program. We encourage your school to follow up your Relay Field Day experience by participating in your community Relay For Life event.

We are proud of the success of our Relay For Life events, which bring more than four million people together in more than 6,100 communities around the world to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer.

Good luck in your planning, and thank you for all that you do to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays! For more information and resources to support your Relay Field Day program, visit RelayFieldDay.org. For cancer information, visit the American Cancer Society Web site at cancer.org.

Benefits to Hosting a Relay Field Day Program

The Relay Field Day program is a great way to drive home the message that it’s never too soon to adopt healthy habits in an effort to improve overall health and prevent cancer. The activities and educational materials provided with the Relay Field Day program teach students and their families how to make healthy choices about nutrition, physical activity, sun safety, and tobacco and alcohol prevention.

These healthy behaviors have a huge impact beyond cancer; they can help kids feel better and perform better in school. More importantly, kids who establish healthy habits early on in life are more likely to lead healthy lives as adults. These behaviors will not only help prevent cancer, but also other serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The research topic suggestions provide students an opportunity to take a more in-depth look at healthy lifestyles and the science behind it.

The Relay Field Day program also fosters team building. Through friendly competition, your school can come together for a cause that touches everyone. The program also promotes your school as one that is dedicated to saving lives from cancer. In addition, it is a great way to build school spirit and to establish closer relationships among teachers, students, and parents. Your Relay Field Day program also provides an opportunity to make a positive statement about the contributions young people are making in society today.

The Relay Field Day program also provides students with opportunities to take on a leadership role in their school and community, as well as learn the importance of community service.

Additional resourcesThere are many great resources to help you get started. Your Relay Field Day Web site will provide you access to these helpful tools and more:

•Classroom Activities* Nutrition

* Physical Activity

* Sun Safety

* Tobacco Prevention

* Alcohol Prevention

•Sample Letter to Parents

•School Fundraising Ideas

•Sample Schedules

•Sample Timeline

•Recognition Ideas

•Recognition Certificate

•Sample Press Release

•Posters

•And more!

Staying healthy – Students on the moveIt’s as important for students to be active as it is for adults. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that young people be even more physically active! They need at least 60 minutes of moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity each day. Yet most young people do not meet this minimum recommendation, and as a result they are likely to become overweight and sedentary adults. That means they’ll be at greater risk for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

What can you do about it?

Look for opportunities to encourage students to be active, whether that means joining a sports team or just a quick pickup game of basketball. Students develop habits early in life, and you can help give them a healthy start.

Get Started!

The Relay Field Day program was created to give students, teachers, administrators, and parents an opportunity to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Although the Relay Field Day program is unique and flexible, there are three basic components – cancer education, fundraising, and leadership. These components are part of the steps below – follow them to get started!

Step 1: Choose your cancer education activities (worksheets and resources are available through your school’s Relay Field Day Web site).

a. Nutrition

b. Physical Activity

c. Sun Safety

d. Tobacco Prevention

e. Alcohol Prevention

f. All of the above/any combination of the above

Step 2: Choose your fundraising activities, and set a goal (additional details and ideas are available through your school’s Relay Field Day Web site).

a. School-wide Fundraising – Hat Day or Classroom Penny Wars

b. Individual Fundraising – Students collect donations.

c. Online Fundraising – Students send emails to family and friends asking for donations.

d. All of the above/any combination of the above

Step 3: Choose your day-of-event activities (additional details and ideas are available through your school’s Relay Field Day Web site).

a. Gym class, school day, or after school

b. Field day-type activities

c. Choose your leadership activities (ideas provided on your Relay Field Day Web site).

Now that you’ve chosen the main components, there are a few other things to consider:

•How long do you want your school’s event to be (one hour, two hours, four hours, one day, one week, etc.)?

• Do you want it to be a stand-alone event or integrated into an existing event, such as a field day, school carnival, homecoming, etc.?

•What activities do you want to include at the Relay Field Day event?

•Do you want to hold a special assembly for your Relay Field Day program?

•Did you set a fundraising goal for your school that is challenging yet attainable?

•Are there any students or teachers you’d like to honor – or remember – at your Relay Field Day event?

•What other teachers, staff, students, or parents do you want to help you plan the event?

• What other volunteers might you need to help put on the Relay Field Day event? High school students make great volunteers!

The Relay Field Day program can be implemented in a number of ways. Here are two examples to help get you started:

• Host a week of classroom education and fundraising activities leading up to the Relay Field Day event at the end of the week.

• Space out the classroom and fundraising activities over a few weeks or a month, then wrap up with the Relay Field Day event.

The schedule for your Relay Field Day event is up to you. Following are sample schedules from two Relay Field Day schools:

Suggested Schedule: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 9:00-9:20 a.m. Opening Celebration

9:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Various Activities

12:00-12:30 p.m. Healthy Lunch

12:30-12:45 p.m. Hope/Luminaria Ceremony

12:45-1:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony

1:00-1:30 p.m. Closing Activities

Suggested Schedule: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 10:00-10:20 a.m. Opening Celebration

10:20-11:30 a.m. Various Activities

11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Hope/Luminaria Ceremony

12:00-12:30 p.m. Healthy Lunch

12:30-12:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony

12:45-1:00 p.m. Closing Activities

“ The Relay Field Day program is an exciting opportunity for students to show their dedication to the fight against cancer and learn to lead healthier lives. A school’s dedication to the Relay Field Day program will not only have a positive impact on your students and staff, but will also show your community that you are dedicated to helping raise a generation of informed leaders who make good decisions.” — Bill, Teacher

The American Cancer Society’s Support For Children Through Research and Programs

ResearchThe American Cancer Society has supported research that helped death rates for childhood cancer drop 53 percent in the past 35 years, saving many children’s lives. Today, more than 80 percent of children with cancer live longer than five years, and many with cancers like leukemia, Wilms tumor, and Hodgkin lymphoma are cured.

The American Cancer Society supports grants related to childhood cancer. In fact, one of our current clinical research professors – Kevin Shannon, MD, at the University of California, San Francisco – is a specialist in the treatment of childhood cancer. Thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Society, Shannon is performing genetic studies of human leukemia cells and using mouse models of leukemias to better understand the mechanisms of disease and to test new treatment strategies.

Youth Cancer Survivor College ScholarshipThe American Cancer Society Youth Cancer Survivor College Scholarship program is an opportunity for students with a history of cancer to pursue an undergraduate degree in an institution of higher learning, including universities, community colleges, vocational, or technical schools. Call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 to find out if scholarships are available in your state.

Summer camps for kids with cancerMany of the American Cancer Society’s local offices have specific programs for families with pediatric cancer patients, including summer camps for children with cancer. To find out if a Society-supported summer camp program is available near you, call 1-800-227-2345. The Society’s Cancer Information Specialists can help you get registration information (including eligibility requirements), forms, and contact names and numbers.

While the Society’s camps are not available in all states, some camps accept children from neighboring states, too. Many camps also welcome the brother or sister of a child with cancer, so be sure to ask if a sibling program is available. Age restrictions or the number of siblings allowed varies from program to program. Remember, most of the Society’s summer camp programs are provided at no cost to families, but space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If the camp you contact is full, ask the coordinator if your child’s name can be placed on a waiting list in case of cancellation.

Books and printed resourcesThe American Cancer Society publishes many books that address the needs of children diagnosed with cancer or dealing with the disease in someone they love. The Society’s Kids’ First Cookbook helps all children learn to make healthy and wholesome food choices that will benefit them for a lifetime. For more information, visit cancer.org/Books4me.

Online resourcesIn the Find Support & Treatment area of the American Cancer Society’s Web site, there is a section titled Children and Cancer.

The first part of this section includes information and suggestions for families that have a child who has been diagnosed with cancer. The second part provides information about helping children understand and cope when another family member has the disease. For information, visit cancer.org/Treatment/ChildrenandCancer/index.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Relay Field Day ProgramWhere can our Relay Field Day event be held?Relay Field Day events can be held on or around a track or in a safe location where a track can be created – such as gymnasiums or ball fields. Many of the activities involved can be done in the classroom leading up to the Relay Field Day event.

When should our Relay Field Day event take place?Relay Field Day events can take place anytime during the year that works best for your school.

Whom do I contact if I have questions?Most likely the same person who first introduced you to the Relay Field Day program will be your go-to person for questions. You can also visit RelayFieldDay.org for more information. If you are not sure whom to contact, please call your local American Cancer Society office or call 1-800-227-2345.

How long should our Relay Field Day event be?Relay Field Day events have no specific time requirements. Your event can be whatever length of time is best for the administration, teachers, and students at your school. Sample schedules are included in this folder and online at your Relay Field Day Web site.

What activities can we do at our Relay Field Day event?Anything you want! The activities at Relay Field Day events should be a reflection of the interests of the students at your school and the community in which you are located. They can range from games and activities focusing on cancer education to performances from local high school music or athletic programs.

Where can I find ideas for cancer education activities and games for the event?There are Classroom Activity Packets focused on nutrition, physical activity, sun safety, and tobacco and alcohol prevention. Additional resources and ideas for your Relay Field Day are available through your school’s Relay Field Day Web site.

What costs are associated with a Relay Field Day program?Costs for a Relay Field Day program and the event should be kept to a minimum, and if possible, it’s best to get items such as water, healthy snacks, and prizes donated. Any other incurred expenses might be covered by a school activities fund (with prior approval) or underwritten by local businesses. If your school uses any kind of local vendors, ask if they will help underwrite the costs of the event. Other materials, such as posters, banners, and stickers, are available through your local American Cancer Society office. Contact them for more information.

Fundraising

How much money does our Relay Field Day program have to raise?The amount your school raises will depend on how many classes get involved. There are no limits! Set a goal for your school by determining a reasonable average amount that each student might be able to raise, then multiply that amount by the number of students participating. Every dollar that your school raises helps save lives from cancer!

Where does the money go?The money raised through the Relay Field Day and Relay Recess™ (elementary school) programs and community Relay For Life events supports the mission of the American Cancer Society and helps create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Through your donations, we help people stay well and get well, find cures through groundbreaking research, and fight back against this disease. Check out the “Why We Fundraise” page under “Learn About Relay” on RelayForLife.org to see how we are helping people celebrate more birthdays.

Is it hard to raise money?Of course not! Many people have been touched by cancer and are willing to make a donation to help save lives from the disease. And even small donations add up.

RecognitionShould I recognize each of the students who participate?Recognition is one of the best parts of the Relay Field Day program because it honors all of the hard work and dedication of the participants. Small, inexpensive methods of recognition will make students feel appreciated for their efforts. Here are just a few ideas:

•Print recognition certificates (available on your school’s Relay Field Day Web site) for your participants.

• Invite students who raised a certain amount of money to lead an All-Star lap during the event.

• Invite the top fundraising classrooms and individuals to the stage for recognition and a prize.

• Allow students who raise a certain amount of money to have special privileges the day of the Relay Field Day event, such as getting to go to the head of line during lunch.

•Decorate your top fundraisers’ lockers.

•Write letters to parents telling them how proud you are of their children’s participation.

•Hold a popcorn party for the top fundraising team.

• Work with your community Relay For Life committee to provide recognition opportunities for your Relay Field Day participants at their event.

Feel free to be creative and use the resources that you have available to find new, fun ways to recognize the top fundraisers from your school.

How can I keep track of the top fundraisers and top classes?The fundraising amounts on the students’ collection envelopes will help you keep track of totals. Many people use a spreadsheet to track the progress of their classes, but you could also create a poster board or bulletin board to publicly track fundraising totals for each class.

Why should I keep track of how much each student or class raises?You don’t have to track individual fundraising. If you would like to set one class, grade, or school goal to reach, you can. Each school’s Relay Field Day Web site allows for individual, class, and school tracking.

Is it OK to solicit donations from the community?Of course! Please work with your community Relay For Life committee to get a list of their sponsors. You might be able to use their connections, or you might want to try new places that are not already involved with your community Relay event. If your school has a company partner, don’t forget to include them in your efforts with your Relay Field Day event as well. This is a great opportunity for them to partner with you while helping in the fight against cancer.

Thank you for the time and energy you are dedicating to your Relay Field Day program!

©2012AmericanCancerSociety,Inc.No.030078