EDITORIAL: Rally support for Relay for Life

Published 10:34 am Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Baldwin County’s Relay for Life is coming up next month and there is still time to contribute to the cause and the effort to eradicate a disease that affects millions of Americans each year. 

We all have been impacted by cancer in some way — whether we’ve waged our own personal battle against the disease or been there to support a family member in their fight. Each year, Relay for Life efforts across the country raise valuable funds to offer support for cancer patients and their families and help with research to find a cure. 

Locally, this year’s Relay for Life is slated from 6 p.m. to midnight April 12, at the Baldwin County Soccer Complex with teams and community members showing up to do their part to raise needed funds to support the effort. 

There is still time to join this year’s fundraising effort. Join a team or make a donation by visiting www.relayforlife.or/baldwinga or find out more details by visiting Baldwin County Relay for Life on Facebook. 

Why? Because in 2016, there were an estimated 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Yet, the number of cancer survivors is expected to increase to 20.3 million by 2026. That’s in large part due to medical advances, research and more widespread awareness and health information circulating to the general public. 

Tremendous strides have been taken over the past several decades to combat the disease, but more work is needed to eradicate the effects of cancer. That’s why it takes all of us doing some part to make an impact. 

Not only does Relay for Life generate funds that are used for cancer research and support initiatives such as The Hope Lodge program, which provides free accommodations to patients and caregivers, and Road to Recovery, which provides transportation for patients to get back and forth to treatment, the event also generates awareness of preventative care and education, while shining a light on a positive, unifying community event.

 Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, behind only heart disease, and it accounts for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths. But the survival rates for many forms of cancer have steadily improved, through research, early detection and enhanced treatment, due in large part to the funds raised to support these efforts through events such as Relay for Life, comprised of local grassroots events like Baldwin’s Relay teams. 

All of us know someone who has been impacted by cancer. Many of us have parents, brothers, sisters and friends who have battled this disease. This is a chance to pay tribute to their fight and to support the efforts to find a cure. 

Cancer has no specific race or gender; it knows no certain socio-economic level. It impacts people across all walks of life. 

When we consider the impact of this disease on our lives personally as well as community and nationally, donating to the cause should be a no-brainer. 

Register for a team, donate and take part in this year’s Relay for Life campaign so that one day, participating in the effort won’t be necessary.