Walking in the Second Life Relay for Life

Live Walk Web-Cam

(Direct link to the webcam page here. Use this if viewing from Profile.)

The Relay is Over!

Thanks to your generosity, the Second Life Relay for Life raised over 30 million Linden dollars! That's over US$115,000 for the American Cancer Society! Thank you, everyone, for your support!

McDunnough's Relay Gang (my team) raised over L$4.5 million (about US$17,000) with their efforts (see below). This includes L$1.3 million during the Relay itself, in the "Jail an Avatar" event. Jail an Av takes volunteers and throws them in scripted jails. The volunteers, which included local celebrities and Relay heads, then contacted their friends and tried to raise money to be released. I'm happy to say that I came up with the scripted jails and support equipment, and relieved that it survived the lag and technical difficulties plaguing the Relay relatively unscathed. But the tech was just a small part of the event. The real work was pulling in the contacts, friends, and favors required to bludgeon people into spending the time and money to make this event work. The real success from this event was due to the tireless efforts of McDunnough's Relay Gang in wrangling support and dealing with problems. Thank you, guys, for making this event, like all the other ones, a rousing success!

As for me, well, I managed to walk 23 miles on the treadmill! This came out to about 84 kilometers in Second Life. This is far, far more than I ever planned. Again, thank you for your support!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this?

My name is Nathan Walton (AKA Moriash Moreau in Second Life), and I'm walking in the Second Life Relay for Life! Only, I'm doing it for real... After a fashion. I've rigged an interface that allows me to link a treadmill to my computer and, through it, control my Second Life avatar. (More detail about the project can be found at my SL weblog.) In short, I walk, my avatar walks. On July 28th and 29th, I'll be using this setup to walk in the Second Life Relay for Life.

What is Relay for Life?

"Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times." - The ACS Relay for Life Website

What is the Second Life Relay for Life?

SLRFL is the virtual version of the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life. This year's Relay will be held on July 28th. Just like the "real life" version, we will be raising funds and gathering sponsors for a day-long relay event. But, instead of walking with friends and neighbors from our home town, we'll be walking with friends from around the globe! Last year, the Second Life Relay for Life raised over US$40,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year, the goal is to raise US$75,000 for the cause. More information about the relay can be found at the ACS website.

What are you doing for the Relay?

I'm a member of McDunnough's Relay Gang, one of several teams that will be walking in the actual relay on July 28th. Our task for the past few months has been to raise money in Second Life. To do this, the team has organized parties, formal dances, auctions, a charity carnival, and even a grid-wide giant snail race! In short, the Gang has been working its collective posterior off for this cause, and I'm proud to be a small part of it.

For my part, I've been helping in the events and raising funds both in-game and in the "real world." I've also been donating the profits of my shop, Mo-Tech Industries since early February. And, of course, there's this fundraising stunt I'm doing with a treadmill and computer interface. You might have heard about it.

How can I help?

I've stopped real-world collections at this time, but if you'd like to donate Linden dollars from within Second Life, a pledge card for McDunnough's Relay Gang can be found at The Garden of Mo (SLurl link) in Louise. A kiosk can also be found at my camp in the Relay for Life sims. Just click on the sign or kiosk, and enter the amount you'd like to donate. All Linden dollars will be cashed out at the end of the Relay, and the funds (in US dollars) will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Either way, your donation will help support cancer research, education, and patient programs. Any amount, no matter how big or how small, will do a world of good. Thank you!

Why are you doing this?

Cancer has, in some way, touched nearly everyone's life. Be it a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, someone you know has been or will be afflicted with this disease. In my case, that person is Jinny Walton, my mother. On July 5, 2007, she was diagnosed with terminal endomitrial cancer. Doctors will be treating her to the best of their ability, but all they can do is try to make her comfortable and buy her as much time as possible before the end.

For mom, this makes cancer number four, including previous bouts with thyroid cancer (1985), breast cancer (1991), and uterine cancer (2006). Cancer, and its treatment, has taken her health, her career, and far too much of her joy in living. In a scant few months, it will take her life. And all we can do is hold her hand and watch it happen.

It is time for this to stop.

My mother is one of millions of people who are suffering from cancer at this very moment. And while I can't do anything to stop that now, I can help support groups like the American Cancer Society. I'm doing my small part to help find a world where nobody must lose a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter to this disease. And so can you.

Thank you for visiting, and please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.