Relay for Life

[Paul]

I have been checking out this site for awhile now and love the exchange of information and the support provided by all of the members.  I have a couple of questions  for all of you who have been at this much longer than I.  I have volunteered to do massage at our local American Cancer Society, Relay for Life at the beginning of June.   I've never done an event like this and they don't have any other LMP's as yet.  When you guys do events like this do you use your table or chair?  If you use your table, how do you protect it?    What kind of protocol do you use?  Sports  massage?  Whatever the walker wants?  How long?  How long can you realistically work?    I'm not sure if there will be other LMP's by then or not.  Any other tips you have will be greatly appreciated as well.  Questions, questions!  Thanks so much for all of the great advice that I'm sure you all have.   Lisa

 

[Andy]

Hi Lisa, I've done relay for life for three years. I do chair massage. It's user friendly and easier space wise. I do a general chair massage for 10 to 15 min. depending on wait line. I work from 8:00am until 1:00pm. I have done events where I work all day and it's not a problem for me. Each person must know their limits.  

 

[Nicole_x]

Dear Lisa,When my massage school participated in such an event we took portable table(s) and used bottles of wintergreen alcohol to sanitize tables and hands.  We did sports-massage type compressions on legs, glutes, and gentle stretching.  Between athletes we drenched the table with wintergreen alcohol and rubbed the vinyl with  hands, thereby sanitizing hands as well.  The alcohol was quick drying, but we sometimes wiped it off with paper towels.  The was quick and easy and effective.  Hope this helps.

 

[Elsie May]

I am also doing the relay for life next month, and am curious what types of literature, coupons did you guys give out?    Some one suggested I give out water bottles, but I have no idea how much to buy. And think it may be a little to costly, since all the money that we make will be going to the ACS.

 

[Schooling You]

Relay for Life

I take my massage chair to our Relay for Life. I worked on everyone, not just the walkers. People were very generous as far as donating to the American Cancer Society. I dont do 15 min massages, though, I limit them to 5-10 (LOTTA people lined up!) Also, think about toting that table out of the area after, its usually slam packed!! I dont hand out water bottles, your right, too pricey. I do hand out brochures on the benefits of massage, though.

 

[Fluffness!.?]

Hello all,I just did a Relay last night and have another planned for next week.  This is my absolute favorite event of the year...it's so profoundly touching...from the first lap where the Survivors walk alone to the lighting Ceremony.I always bring my table to this event.  Massages are free to all.  Everyone there is already supporting the ACS, if someone offers me a tip I ask them to please donate it to the ACS.I don't have a set time limit at this event it's an all night affair.  I arrive about 4pm and go until I'm too tired, lol.  Last night it was midnight.  My massage varies in time from 5 minutes (usually for a child)  through 20 minutes depending how much I feel going on.  I introduce and shake every person's hand who comes for a massage and I ask them if they are having any pain or concerns.I have magnets laying on a portable table that I supply...business cards and I also do a Raffle for a free massage.  This is a great way to get a mailing list at the same time.  I am even considering trying the 30 minute freeby deal to all the participants hoping to increase my practice.  I had a 3' x 5' Banner sign made up for these types of events.I bring a lot of stuff, baby wipes, hand towel, hand sanitizer, face cradle covers.  I have a few clear plastic frame signs on the table with my office info at a glance.  I bring coffee cans for my table legs to protect them from dirt, dew or any mushy fields.  I made a table cover out of a heavy duty vinyl (course, I forgot that yesterday).One word of warning...I don't do the 10%bleach/90%water solution anymore...I did a Marathon and one of the participant's running shorts got ruined when they sat down on my table before it fully dried...it went from black to brown and blochy...terrible (live and learn)The best part is how much fun I have doing this...it is pure joy for me to give for such a wonderful effort.Try it...you'll love it!!!!Lori