Each year, the American Cancer Society conducts its largest fund-raising event — Relay for Life and more than 5,000 events are held in the U.S. and 19 other countries with more than 4 million people participating.
In Mississippi, few Relay for Life campaigns rival that of the Lowndes County. Over the past five years, the Lowndes County Relay has ranked among the top five in the state of Mississippi for gross donations collected, almost $800,000 over that span.
This year’s Relay for Life will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Columbus Soccer Complex, its second year at the venue. Even before the event kicks off, 53 local teams have raised more than $83,000 in donations (more than halfway to its goal of $150,000 through their various Relay for Life events.
The millions of dollars collected through Relay for Life provides research, treatment and support services and education that might not otherwise be available. But the event serves another important purpose, too.
The event serves as a source for hope, encouragement and support for many people in our communities, for whom cancer is a deeply personal matter. Cancer survivors, patients and friends and family of those whose fights against cancer end in sadness come together to draw strength from each other and from the community at large.
None of these could happen without the support of sponsors, businesses, churches and organizations who form the backbone of this fund-raiser. Nor could such success be achieved without the generosity of our residents whose contributions make the event not only a financial success, but a community-building enterprise.
There is one other group whose efforts are just as crucial, the committee that organizes the event each year. The group of 20 or so committee members spend hours working on plans and dealing with the complexities of staging the event.
They are passionate, committed group, whose devotion to the cause is evident in the success of the Lowndes County event.
It’s a tough, often thankless task and one that is not always without challenges.
We appreciate their contribution along with those of all the participants, all of whom have made the Lowndes Relay the success it is.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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