It truly is not hard to find a person affected by cancer. In its multiple forms, cancer inflicts its wrath on millions in the United States while also indirectly affecting the lives of countless numbers of family members and friends who help those with the disease cope.

With that in mind, it is quite safe to say that nearly all of us in the River Region have a good reason to come out for any amount of time to take part in the annual Relay for Life celebration today at Highway 51 Park in LaPlace.

St. John Parish’s Relay event is one of several similar celebrations across the country that were spawned from a simple personal fundraising event that began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash. Today Relay for Life stands as the pinnacle and most high-profile fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Organizers for St. John’s Relay for Life say the event will have a festival atmosphere with live music, food, games, booths and other activities with the proceeds going to cancer research. Teams involved in the relay have raised more than $13,000 for the cause already. The 12-hour marathon event begins at noon and carries on until midnight.

Celebrate survivors and give hope to the future by coming out today to contribute to a worthy cause.