Supporting 2016’s Relay for Life

Relay for Life is upon us again as one the largest fundraising events in the country brings awareness to one of the nation’s biggest killers: cancer.

Every year both state and the Fallon Relay for Life committees establish goals to raise money for research and assistance. Fallon, like other communities in this state, sets out to make cancer a major enemy.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s annual fight against this disease. For every 100,000 people, approximately 321 individual dies from cancer each year, compared to 214 for heart-related deaths. Automobile-related deaths account for 15.5 deaths per 100,000.

Since the kickoff earlier this year, different teams and organizations have been engaged in fundraising events. Various fundraisers have been held to include a luau and a Mother’s Day vendors’ event .

Just this week, Stockman’s hosted a “Survivor’s Dinner” for those who have been cancer free for a specific period of time. The survivors have a major role in opening this year’s 2016 Relay for Life at the Churchill County Middle School.

Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with the survivor lap and continues until early Saturday morning at the CCMS track.

Those who have had cancer or know of people who have had or died from cancer participate in walking around the track.

Furthermore, people can buy luminary bags, which are decorated bags with names of people who have suffered from cancer. Organizers said the fundraising has been challenging this year because of the economy, but they hope they can significantly add to their current total by Sunday.

We commend the numerous people who will participate in Relay for Life this weekend at the middle school and the thousands of people in Churchill County who have donated to this most worthwhile cause to fight cancer.

Every year something unique happens at each Relay for Life. Last year a poignant talk given by Dr. Lisa Kruptka, a general surgeon at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, informed the Relay for Life teams about cancer and prevention.

Kruptka said it is important for women 40 years and older to have a mammogram to screen for cancer. Banner Churchill has obtained a 3D mammogram machine that will produce more defined images.

She also had advice for men and women on colon cancer.

“I’m spending time in the community telling people how to screen for colon cancer. You need to start at age 50,” she said.

So people can see, cancer is a serious opponent.

Editorials are written by the LVN Editorial Board and appear on Wednesdays.