There isn’t a person around who hasn’t been touched by cancer, whether it’s a family member or friend.

That’s why we’re urging families and businesses to organize teams for the fourth annual Freeborn County Relay for Life. Let’s get

50 teams participating this year.

The relay raises money for the American Cancer Society’s programs of cancer education, advocacy and patient services.

Those funds raised for research really do make a difference. A recent report from the American Cancer Society states that 2006 should see a slight decline in the projected number of cancer deaths compared to estimates made for 2005. The projections are based on a decline in the actual number of cancer deaths reported byt he national Center for Health Statistics for 2002 (557,271 deaths) and 2003 (556,902), the first decline in the actual number of cancer deaths in more than 70 years.

So it’s important that fund-raisers like this continue. Most of the money raised from Relay for Life festivities stays local, helping the cancer survivors and people going through the treatment.

The relay works this way: Teams with five to 15 people keep one person on the track for 12 hours, between 6 p.m. Aug. 11 and 6 a.m. Aug. 12, helping raise money for fighting cancer. Cancer survivors walk the first lap around the track.

A luminary ceremony will take place at dusk, and committee members have planned live entertainment until after midnight; after that a DJ will play music. The silent auction will go on between 6 and 9 p.m. Aug. 11.

The whole event is inspirational, providing hope for a cure for the disease.

Not only are teams needed, but also volunteers to serve on the relay’s 10 organizational committees: Team recruitment, survivorship, food, silent auction, entertainment, publicity, logistics, volunteers, data and the kiddy carnival committee. We urge people to come out for the organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 15, at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

Together, we can all make a difference.