Relay For Life an event worthy of support

For as long as health-care practitioners have been able to identify cancer as a fatal disease, it has remained among the most feared maladies. Cancer plays no favorites. It knows no social, economic, ethnic or racial bounds.

In one way or another, it has touched most American families.

Science and medicine have come a long way in early identification and treatment. Many forms of cancer are now much less fatal than they were a few short years ago. Other forms are becoming more avoidable through nutritional and lifestyle adjustments.

Still, the American Cancer Society estimates that 564,830 people will die this year from some form of cancer.

If cancer awareness has played a large part in the reduction of cancer fatalities, then the annual Relay For Life shares in the credit for helping to increase awareness.

This year marks the beginning of the third decade for the event, which began humbly as the initiative of a single physician in Tacoma, Wash., who ran 83 miles in 24 hours for cancer prevention.

In 20 years, the event has taken on a life of its own. Relay For Life events were held in more than 20 countries around the world last year.

This Friday and Saturday, teams will take to the track at Colony High School for the 10th annual Mat-Su Relay For Life. For 24 hours, teams will continuously do laps, simultaneously raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

If you haven't already joined a team - or formed one of your own - there's still time. And if you can't participate as a walker, financial participation is always welcome.

Teams should register ahead of time. There is convenient online registration available at www.acsevents.org/relay/ak/matsu, or participants may contact Penny Gillen by phone at 355-9111 or by e-mail at pgillen@mta-telco.com.

The local event still has several needs. In particular, cancer survivors are wanted for the event kickoff - a survivors lap around the oval. Volunteers are also needed to help publicize the event.

If the Relay For Life has shown one thing over the years, it's that one person can make a difference. There's room for everyone, of all ages and abilities. And there could hardly be a more worthwhile cause.

Cancer is beatable. But not without the kind of relentless and comprehensive effort put forth by the American Cancer Society and the army of volunteers and donors that supports it.