Allison Cafe

The 2009 Relay For Life of Clairemont event began on the morning of May 16th, 2009 with a very special Survivor’s reception. The local news team from KUSI News joined us for our Survivor reception and interviewed two survivors, Diana and Miguel, as well as myself, Allison Baloglu. A special thank you to Lena Lewis and the entire KUSI News team for covering our event. Without the aid of our media sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to get the word out about this wonderful event. Read my entire post about the event here.

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Wow, what a weekend we just had. My body is tired, but my heart is full. A very special and heart felt thank you to everyone who supported the 2009 Relay For Life of Clairemont, CA. The event this past weekend was the first year that the Relay For Life was held in Clairemont, and words cannot describe how well it went. This is the 25th anniversary of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, the largest grassroots fund raising event in the world. There are over 5,000 Relays that take place across the globe. I am excited to say that our first year in Clairemont was a huge success, on many levels.

Let the 24 hours of walking begin!

Not only did we raise over $30,000, (yes that is right, this isn’t a typo, our little “baby” Relay raised an unbelievable amount of donations) we also gave a live demonstration of the power of the human spirit. We had over 140 participants, 15 teams, many wonderful volunteers, survivors, and caregivers, and a group of very generous sponsors; who all helped pull off one the most successful first year Relays that the American Cancer Society has ever seen. (more…)

I cannot say enough positive things about the power of public relations. Getting the word out about charity events in particular, can be difficult. So when the opportunity comes along to share newsworthy information about your event with the community through local media, take every measure you can to be a great interview and a good resource for your local reporters.

Today, the Relay For Life events in Chula Vista and Clairemont were featured on the NBC San Diego morning news show. Speaking in the piece are Toni Royal, Event Chairperson for the Relay For Life of Chula Vista, and myself, Allison Baloglu, Fight Back Chairperson for the Relay For Life of Clairemont. Also seen holding the banner is my husband, Stephen Baloglu, as well as 3 other Relay team members from the Chula Vista event planning committee. It didn’t show up in the online clip below, but we also got another few seconds of coverage as the local NBC morning show wrapped up at 6:57am and we waved good morning to the Today show.

Today our Relay For Life team held a wonderfully successful garage and bake sale. When our team captain asked for volunteers to bake, who do you think raised her hand and volunteered cupcakes? Me of course! I love excuses to make cupcakes, but today’s was extra sweet. One hundred percent of the amount donated today went to our Relay team’s fund raising efforts for the event next weekend.

Of course I wanted to come up with a cute topping. So I used the American Cancer Society’s colors to inspire the toppings. We used red, blue and purple sprinkles. And I placed a gummy Lifesaver candy on top of each cupcake, because that’s what we are fighting back to do, save lives.

Saving lives, one cupcake at a time

I’d like to say a very special “thank you” to everyone who supported our event today with donations. And also to Megan, who helped me bake cupcakes yesterday and whip up some yummy frosting. Click “more” to read the recipe. Enjoy! (more…)

For several months now I have been actively involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life here in San Diego, CA. So the other day when I was flipping channels and came across their new marketing campaign, I was so excited. And from a marketing perspective, I really like the comprehensive, interactive campaign they have created with TV ads, print, a Facebook application, a website, and more. I love the messaging and emotional appeal of their new brand campaign, which positions them as the “Official Sponsor of Birthdays”. They have launched a website and Facebook application as part of their new campaign. Visit www.morebirthdays.com to register your birthday and check out some other cool stuff while you are there. The campaign was launched by The Martin Agency. The website was crafted by public relations firm Brodeur Partners.

Someone asked me yesterday why I got involved with the American Cancer Society as a volunteer. (thanks Liz!) I guess in all my enthusiasm for the cause I forgot to share why I am involved. There are several reasons. For starters, a very good friend of ours was diagnosed with thyroid cancer several years ago and is battling it again, but he is a survivor! And one of the most positive people that I know. He and his wife are also very involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and asked me if I would like to volunteer. I said “yes”!

My friend Amy and little me

Cancer has affected my life in other ways too. (more…)