4-H Delivers

Tuolumne County 4-H Success in The American Cancer Society Relay For Life

The Issue

Cancer is the United State’s second most common cause of death exceeded only by heart disease. Nearly 1 out of 4 Americans die of cancer. The fight to end cancer has been a global community tradition since cancer rates began to increase in the early 1950s. The Relay for Life, in partnership with The American Cancer Society, gives everyone in communities across the globe an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to cancer, fight back against the illness, and celebrate lives that have battled cancer.          

What has 4-H done?

On May 21-22, 2011 4-H members and families participated in an event to raise funds for the Relay for Life. 4-H’s Tuolumne Pioneers has a club team called The Green Berets who started meeting monthly from September 2010 to plan for The American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2011 twenty-four hour walk.

The Green Berets have been participating in The Relay for Life every year since 2009. In 2009, Tuolumne County’s 4-H raised $5,000 and $8,000 in 2010. Although our nation’s economy has been tight in recent years, Tuolumne County’s Green Berets creates innovative ways to raise funds every year. This year The Green Berets raised over $6,500! They learn from factors that change their income level every year. For example, last year they learned that the Applebee’s fundraiser was incredibly easy and fun which made them almost $600 in 3 hours! It was because of this fundraising success in such a limited amount of time, they will be incorporating this event to raise more money in future years.

Also, this year The Green Berets had two offsite fundraisers selling flower bulbs and partnered with Applebee’s to put on a pancake breakfast. The Relay for Life team works with Tuolumne County’s 4-H Event Chairperson to create a program for the day of the event. Local businesses were allowed to purchase a business card ad for $100 to have their ads placed in the program which earned them an easy $1,000 this year. 4-H’s Green Beret’s enthusiasm for innovative fundraisers has helped them succeed in The Relay for Life this year.

The Payoff

4-H youth learn about the causes of different types of cancer in an attempt to raise awareness

The Green Berets consist of 11 youth members, 5 adult volunteers and 2 4-H leaders. They helped 4-H youth members learn about the causes of different kinds of cancer and raise funds for the event.

At monthly meetings each 4-H youth member was asked to pick and research a different type of cancer. They were then asked to report back at their chosen meeting. Youth members learned about symptoms, causes, treatment, and environmental cancer risks. They also learned the importance of behavioral choices such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity. Some 4-H youth members even took information back to their family members in hopes of keeping their loved ones healthy.

With all of their successes in the past three years, Tuolumne County’s passion and enthusiasm for being an advocate for cancer clearly shows. They plan on promoting themselves even better next year and receiving more community participation. The Green Berets goal for next year is not only to increase awareness for cancer, but also want to gather enough 4-H interest to start an annual walk for diabetes! Congratulations and good luck to The Green Berets!

Testimonials

“Our 4-H team has been extremely successful the last couple of years!”—Jen Bick, Tuolumne County's Relay for Life Chairperson for 2011 & 2012.

“I've been hoping each year for enough 4-H interest to start an annual walk for diabetes.  My youngest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 4 years old.  He is a huge awareness advocate, even at 8.  He is eager to answer any questions about his condition and he holds high hopes for a cure before he graduates high school.  As far as Relay goes - I'm a "lifer." I will be back every year, with enthusiasm and hope.  And I'll bring along anyone willing to walk beside me.”—Shelly Wyatt, 4-H Team Captain ’09, ’10 &’11.

Author: Kay Francesca Coelho, Student Assistant--California 4-H State Office