As Pike Countians join in the national observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it seems only fitting that Relay for Life efforts should be on the agenda.

And they are, as the Pike County Relay for Life board kicks off its fund-raising and organizational efforts for the 2013 Relay event today.

The kickoff begins at 5:15 p.m. at Momma Goldberg’s in Troy. Organizers are encouraging team representatives and community representatives to gather together, share ideas and “get pumped up again” for the Relay for Life.

It promises to be a casual, fun event and an opportunity to take a moment from our busy days and reflect on ways we can give of our time and energies to help others.

Pike County’s annual Relay event takes place the first Friday in May, although fund-raising efforts are conducted nearly year-round. Those efforts pay big rewards, as our county typically generates well over $120,000 towards research to prevent cancer.

Those funds help support programs that provide resources and aid to cancer patients and caregivers, as well as efforts to fund research to help stop the spread of cancer. And that’s a cause we can call support.

So if you’re interested in joining that cause, or learning more about the Relay for Life event, visit www.relayforlife.org/pikeal or call 334-770-1652.