National Wine Day

Training: Facebook- Boosting Posts And Ads

The first training for 2020 has been posted - tips for organic post reach on Facebook and a demonstration for boosting posts. We know its hard to get your messages in front of your intended audience, so we pulled together some tips to help! https://connect.relayforlife.org/blogs/668/2015

*Shared from Facebook Nationwide Relay For Life Online Chair Network.

Presidents Day

ACS launches Relay For Life chatbot via Facebook Messenger

Chatbot helps maximize customer self-service by answering common questions 

The American Cancer Society recently launched a new chatbot within the Facebook Messenger platform on the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Facebook page. This chatbot focuses on helping consumers quickly find answers to commonly asked questions related to Relay For Life.

These common themes were identified for why a customer would use the Messenger platform before creating this unique chatbot.

• General Relay For Life information
• How to find a local event
• How to donate
• How to dedicate a luminaria
• How to fundraise

This chatbot will help customers find answers to their questions by providing information, videos, or links where applicable. When a more complex answer is required, such as a specific cancer related question, the chatbot will guide them to call NCIC or use Live Chat on cancer.org.

Users can access the chatbot on their mobile device or computer by visiting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Facebook page and clicking "Send Message". A customer will then be able to choose to join an event, explore topics, or contact us with one click.

A similar chatbot for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Cancer Facebook page will be coming soon.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

Rockin' the Rack Against Cancer

Learn more at online, on the Facebook page, or on the Facebook event.

ACS and Red Cross launch campaign to increase blood donations

Starting on February 10, the American Cancer Society and American Red Cross will kick off a three-week campaign to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time. 

Did you know that nearly 25% of the blood supply in the U.S. goes to cancer patients - more than patients fighting any other disease? 

This joint campaign will include a national television PSA, social media, outdoor advertising, digital programs, and public relations, all driving people to GiveBloodToGiveTime.org, where they can type in their ZIP code and make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

Model Cindy Crawford is the national spokesperson for this  campaign. Previously an ambassador for the Red Cross, Cindy’s brother died at an early age from leukemia, so she also supports cancer causes. During her brother’s treatment, ACS helped her family with access to transportation. 

For those undergoing chemotherapy treatments while battling cancer, a blood transfusion is a meaningful way to give them the strength to keep fighting. According to the American Red Cross, five units of blood are needed every minute of every day to help someone going through cancer treatments. Yet, only 3% of the American public donates blood in a given year.

Interestingly, Gail McGovern, president and CEO of American Red Cross, and her husband are both cancer survivors. In an email to all of her staff today, she wrote: "I know from experience that a loved one’s diagnosis can make family and friends feel helpless. They often don’t realize that individuals can make a difference by giving blood and platelets."

The need is great; how you, your friends, and family can help

During the campaign, from Feb. 10 to Feb. 29, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org and set up an appointment to give blood or platelets. A whole blood donation takes about an hour from start to finish, but the actual donation itself only takes about 8-10 minutes. Platelet donation may take up to two and a half hours, and a Power Red donation is about an hour and 15 minutes long. A Power Red donation allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urgently needed. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients, and bone marrow transplant recipients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so there is a constant, often critical, need for platelets to keep up with hospital demand. 

Donations of money are welcome, too! 

The public will have the option to select which organization to donate to through the campaign landing page. Donations will be processed through each organization’s standard donation process. 

Help spread the word! 

Let everyone you know about the campaign, and direct them to GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

Feel free to post it on your social media sites and use the hashtag #GiveBloodToGiveTime.

There is no specific call to action for our Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and Distinguished events audiences at this time.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.

Neuroendocrine Patient Conference

2020 San Francisco Bay Area NET Patient Conference

Neuroendocrine Cancer Patients and their families are invited on Sunday, March 8, 2020 for a day of discussion on the latest developments in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) research and treatment. Topics will range from discovery and diagnosis through treatment and living with cancer, and feature experts from Stanford, UCSF and other institutions from around the world. The conference is open to patients, caregivers and those interested in NETs.

We are honored to have as our keynote speaker, Rebecca Katz, chef and author of numerous cookbooks, including "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen."

The conference will be on the campus of Stanford University, hosted by Stanford Medicine's Neuroendocrine Tumor Program and NorCal CarciNET Community.

Room Block - We were able to secure rooms at the Crowne Plaza, Palo Alto for $109 for Saturday, March 7th. To book your room click here.

*Shared from NorCal CarciNET Community.

Happy Valentine’s Day

World Radio Day

Internet Friends Day

Today is Internet Friends Day where we honor our virtual friends. Numerous Internet friends share greetings on this day, especially in social networks. The hashtags #InternetFriendsDay and #InternetFriendDay are used to mark such messages. Make your own new Internet Friends on the Relay For Life Community Facebook group.