The statistics are sobering.

This year, there will be an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases diagnosed and nearly 600,000 cancer deaths in the United States alone.

It remains the second most common cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly one out of every four deaths.

The bottom line is that cancer affects everyone. Even if you don’t have it, chances are you know someone that does.

That is especially true for us at Leader Publications.

A little more than two months ago, sales rep Lindsey Cloutier lost her battle with cancer. She was just 31 years old.

She was a survivor for a long time, having been diagnosed with leukemia at age 16 and again at 19.

She fought it off as long as she could and did so with a zest for life that could only come from someone who knows how fleeting life can be.

Lindsey did not live long enough to see a cure, but maybe you will. Maybe your children will.

That’s why it is so important to give what you can to cancer research.

One of the best ways to do so would be to give to the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at Niles High School.

If you’ve never head of it, Relay For Life is an overnight relay-style event featuring teams of people camping out around a track. Members of each team take turns walking around the track for the duration of the event. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities.

This year, Leader Publications has a team in honor of Lindsey.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Team Lindsey, led by sales rep Sherina Gonzalez, has raised more than $8,300 — the most of any other team so far.

You can give to team Lindsey or any of the dozens of other teams participating.

The truth is that it doesn’t matter which team you give to. The money all goes to the same place — the American Cancer Society.

It all goes to the same goal as well — finding a cure.

Is there any better cause than that?

 

Craig Haupert is the community editor for the Niles Daily Star. He can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7720, or by email at craig.haupert@leaderpub.com.