As we grow nearer to Relay for Life, I grow more excited.

We here at The Selma Times-Journal have already thought of some great ideas to raise money for a great cause including “give a dime,” which will begin on Facebook. All you have to do is “like” the page and we will give a dime for relay.

Raising money is important, but when it comes to cancer research, we all play a part because we are all affected in some way.

Everyone has seen members of families and friends pass on from some form of cancer or another.

Reporter Desiree Taylor has continued to do a great series on cancer survivors leading up to the relay.

These stories are filled with hope and inspiration and should drive us to finding a way for everyone to have that story.

Cancer research has come a long way in the past 50 years.

What was once a diagnosis that would be terminal can now have a survival rate of around 90 percent (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma).

The American Cancer Society donates money to fund cancer research in all 50 states, including 9 different projects here in Alabama.

I know that you guys don’t know about them all yet, but I can tell you we have some very fun and interesting ideas in mind as another way to raise money.

Stay tuned for more of the announcements, but if you have already donated to someone else’s team, thank you. If you can’t give money, give time or a voice to someone else that can help.

$100,000 is quite a lofty goal, but I believe we can make it happen.

All it takes is working together and believing in each other and the good we can do.