Four years ago, the American Cancer Society reported that cancer death rates had decreased by 18.4 percent among men and 10.5 percent among women since the early 1990s.
Those living with cancer and the family members and friends who share their trauma can take some consolation in the reduced numbers and hope for a bright future.
Unfortunately, the statistics offer little solace to people who have lost loved ones to the dreadful disease. They can only hope that advances in medicine and unraveling of cancer mysteries will help others avoid the same fate.
To help raise money to combat the disease, hundreds of people will participate in the 2014 Beaufort County Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The 2014 event begins at 6 p.m. May 2 and continues until the next day’s closing ceremony at the Washington High School Wagner Stadium track.
By Thursday, approximately 33 teams and 526 participants had signed up to honor and remember survivors and victims, according to the Beaufort County Relay for Life website. They had raised nearly $26,000 as of Thursday.

Relay for Life is a particularly fitting and moving tribute that says much about the fortitude, love and character of its participants and those they honor.
The event also gives the men, women and children who walk the Wagner Stadium track a chance to bond with others who know their particular pain. For some, the experience will be cathartic — a blooming of hope and joy where once there was only sorrow.
To participants and donors in this year’s Relay for Life in Beaufort County: Thank you for thinking of others and helping shine the light of compassion on Beaufort County.