This Saturday is the annual Freeborn County Relay for Life, and as in years past, it is a great chance for the community to come together under the united cause of fighting against cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 31,270 new cancer cases this year in Minnesota.

In the entire country, that number is expected to top 1.7 million.

Cancer affects people of all ages and backgrounds — our friends, our families, our neighbors and, at times, even ourselves. It’s not very often that cancer doesn’t touch our lives either directly or indirectly.

Because of the far-reaching affect of cancer, we encourage you to get involved in this year’s relay.

Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Before the relay, residents form teams to raise money toward the fight against cancer. On the night of the event, team members and other community members take part in opening ceremonies and other activities, including taking turns walking around a track to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.

According to the Freeborn County Relay for Life website, the goal for the local relay is $75,000, and so far, local residents have raised about $18,200, according to the relay website.

We hope residents will support this effort and their loved ones with cancer, whether through donations, joining a team to fundraise or coming out the night of the event to celebrate area cancer survivors and caregivers.

The Relay runs from 3 to 11 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.