The American Cancer Society (ACS) has announced that the 2019 Strides Campaigns raised US $13,633 to help those dealing with breast cancer and in the search for a cure.
The total marks an impressive US $5,000 increase over the total raised in 2018. This year, ACS ran two flagship events for Making Strides, the Out Shop Cancer campaign that ran right throughout the month of October and involved stores and creators right across the grid, and the Pink Power Fest, which was kicked-off by the Strides Walk-a-thon on Saturday, October 19th and ran through until Saturday October 26th, 2019.
In addition, individuals and groups across Second Life were encouraged to organise their own events in support of Making Strides, with the top Strides Campaigns raising over $2,500 including Camping for A Cure & Bikers for BOObies.
The official announcement provides a further breakdown of campaigns and amounts raised, with the organisers offering warmth thanks to all who took part, either in the events themselves or in helping to organise them.
via the American Cancer Society
Commenting on the success of the season, an overjoyed Stingray Raymaker, Director of ACS in SL, said:
We were confident that this would inspire people who wanted to fight breast cancer in their own way, and the community certainly stepped up. We appreciate everyone who took part in this year’s campaign, and after looking at the data, we are really excited about what the future holds.
All funds raised through Strides Campaigns in Second Life are used by the American Cancer Society to contribute to our life-saving breast cancer research and breast cancer patient services.
Congratulations to all involved on achieving such a worthwhile result!
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for the American Cancer Society in Second Life, and help their global efforts in helping cancer patients, their families and in seeking cures for cancer? Then please contact Stingray9798 Raymaker in-world or e-mail jeffrey.montegut-at-cancer.org.
Men in Focus: Men in Motion – Slias Merlin (foreground) and Aco Wantanabe
Now open at the Men in Focus Gallery, curated by JMB Balogh is the 2019 Men in Motion exhibition, sponsored by the Men in Motion dance troupe. The exhibition is specifically in support of the Movember Foundation, and furthers the gallery’s aim to both promote and feature photography at work or play in SL by male artists.
I was offered the opportunity to preview the Gallery’s opening event in November 2018, which also featured a Men in Motion exhibition (see Previewing Men in Focus in Second Life) – and I offer both Jo and the Men in Motion team my tardiness in getting to this year’s Men in Motion exhibition a little on the late side given the 2019 Movember fund-raiser by Men in Motion officially runs from November 1st through to November 11th – although the exhibition at the gallery will, I believe, run for longer.
Men in Focus: Men in Motion – KidJoe
While the gallery’s primary focus is on 2D art, as with 2018, this year’s Men in Motion draws on artists working in both 2D and 3D art:
2D artists: Migan Forder, KidJoe Resident, Aco Watanabe and Ashraf Rathmullah, along with Men In Motion members Fafnir Kiranov, Antonio Avtovio, Sebastian Bourne and Alex Avion, who have their art displayed on the upper two levels of the gallery.
3D artists: Mistero Hifeng, Toysoldier Thor, Haveit Neox and Silas Merlin.
Men in Focus: Men in Motion – Migan Forder
I confess that the four invited artists are all men whose work I have not knowingly encountered before, so my visit to this exhibition was educational; and I have to say, their work is both stunning and powerful. All have the ability to tell a story with their images, and quite marvellously so.
I was immediately captivated by KidJoe’s pieces along the back wall of the gallery’s ground floor, notably In the Dark, which is both rich in its expression and narrative and – very personally, brought to mind the Priors of Stargate SG-1, despite the robes being the wrong colour. However, perhaps the most evocative image among KidJoe’s works offered here is The Terror was called jack, which is just startling in its depth and life.
Men in Focus: Men in Motion – Ashraf Rathmullah Toysoldier Thor (centre)
Aco Wantanabe and Migan Forder, both invite us to join them on their adventures through Second Life – and I was again particularly drawn to three of Migan’s pieces – Just Breath, Last Man Standing and Destiny – due to the incredible richness of narrative all three enfold. Aco’s work, meanwhile, wonderful mixes Japanese themes and fantasy in studies of a young mane travelling through Second Life
Above them, Ashraf Rathmullah presents an enticing mix of what might be regarded as more “traditional” – but nonetheless attention grabbing – avatar studies mixed with narrative pieces to off a richly mixed display of art that both stands on its own and leads nicely into the Men in Motion displays on the floors above.
The 3D artists’ work is neatly spaced between the different floors of the gallery, allowing it to be enjoyed alongside 2D art. Some of the pieces will likely be familiar to those who particularly enjoy Mistero’s and Silas’s work (we actually have The artist in a bubble on display at home). While Toysoldier offers some quirky characters guaranteed to raise a smile, while Haveit’s is always captivating to witness.
Men in Focus: Men in Motion – Havit Neox (right) with MiM member Fafnir Kiranov
About the Movember Foundation
The Movember Foundation is a multinational charity raising awareness of, and money for, men’s health and welfare, with a focus on cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Its titular and widely known campaign is Movember, which encourages men to grow moustaches during the month of November. The foundation partners annually with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to also raise money for men’s health.
Founded in 2003, in Melbourne, Australia by Adam Garone, Travis Garone, Luke Slattery, and Justin Coghlan, the organisation attained registered charity status in 2006, and as of 2014, has raised over US $580m in charitable donations used to fund more than 800 programmes focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, men’s health awareness and healthy lifestyles. It is active in 21 countries and has a global workforce of 130 people. In addition, Movember coincides with International Men’s Day (November 19th), which among its aims, shares the goal of promoting the health and well-being of men and boys.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 