The American Cancer Society is holding an official dedication and grand opening event for its new headquarters in Second Life (Teleport SLURL) on Sunday September 23.  The festivities start at 12 noon PST with opening speeches by representatives of the ACS, the SL Relay for Life, a cancer survivor, and a doctor.  This will be followed by tours of the sim, readings, a fashion show, and live music by FinalSago Sodwind, Kim Seifert and Silas Scarborough.

It's a beautiful island, centered around a Hope Tree that gives off little sparks that float gently around the island. Cancer is a disease that effects everyone at some point.  Having a virtual space for people to find support, information and community is wonderful and powerful.

The full schedule follows after the jump...

ACS Dedication Ceremony and Grand Opening
Sunday, September 23

***program subject to change***

(Updated Sept 16)

**************************************

12 noon SLT:  Start of Dedication Ceremony 

Opening speakers

*Welcome - RC Mars (ACS)
*Fayandria Foley (Relay For Life)
*Candy Antonelli (Survivors)
*DoctorAnn Buchanan (medical community in SL)

*Announcement of winners in the contest to choose a name for the chat room

12.25 pm SLT:  Introduction to Luminaria walk - Poppy Zabelin and Marissa Goodliffe

12.30 pm SLT:  Gather at Hope tree

6-8 original readings along the route, by survivors, caregivers, and RFL volunteers, interspersed with the Survivor Songs, including:

*If I'd Not Known Her Eyes and Playgrounds - Aryon Dagger
*I am... - Synergy Devonshire
*Lord, Make My Life a Prayer - DevilMayCare JeTaime
*Arms Open Wide - Artistic Fimicoloud
*Fairy Dust - Poppy Zabelin

1.15 pm SLT:  Close of Dedication Ceremony at Memorial Garden with the following readings:

*A Time to Live and a Time to Fly - LadyKay Gable
*Poetic ending - Estaban Graves
*Pueblo Blessing - Pips Fetid
*Closing speaker - Wysdom Wise

2 pm SLT: "Fashion Fights Back" - A fashion show featuring designs from Relay For Life and sponsored by the Metaverse Messenger and Second Life Magazine

2.30 pm SLT:  Grand Gala "Celebration of Life" with live music featuring Second Life artists FinalSago Sodwind, Kim Seifert and Silas Scarborough