By Justin Averette

Though April is six months away, it will be here before you know it.
In that spirit, Relay for Life supporters met Tuesday to discuss next April’s fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
I’ve participated in several relays over the years in Hale County, at the University of Montevallo and others in Calera and Columbiana. Though in different locations, the teams’ enthusiasm for a common cause is the same everywhere.
It’s hard to find a family not touched by cancer.
My grandmother and uncle both battled the disease.
My grandmother survived breast cancer in the early 1990s and lived 15 more relatively healthy years until her death in 2003.
My Uncle Fred wasn’t as fortunate.
He died of testicular cancer, barely 40 years old.
It’s for these two and many more friends I support Relay for Life. Raising awareness and money for research and to help families is an admirable cause.
Best of luck to this year’s committee. I hope they meet and even surpass all their goals.

– Justin Averette is managing editor of The North Chilton Advertiser.