Cancer is indiscriminate and harsh in its choice of victims. One group of residents &045; volunteers, actually &045; have put many hours into planning this year’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. We applaud their efforts. Coordinating the overnight event is monumental.

Literally hundreds of people will spend Aug. 12 and 13 walking a path at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds to raise money and awareness for cancer. This fundraiser is typically an easy one to recruit volunteers for because everyone is touched by this disease.

Perhaps more important than raising money and awareness of cancer, though, is celebrating the survivors and honoring those who have died.

Luminaries &045; bags lit with candles &045; are used to line the walking path and write the word &uot;hope&uot; in the grandstand seating area. Each bag is decorated with the name of someone affected by cancer.

All who drive by on Bridge Avenue will see its light and hopefully will say a prayer for those who are coping with cancer or who have lost the battle.

There is still time to join the walkers, or if time won’t permit that, consider buying a luminary. Contact co-chairs Kim Nelson at 256-7655or Jenny Habana at 373-0319.