It is a disease that knows no bias. It is a disease that strikes equally, regardless of sex, race, religion or financial means.

It is a ruthless killer and one we must remained unified in order to defeat.

That killer, that disease, cancer is a foe — thanks to research — that we are defeating ever so slightly each day. But, it remains a formidable foe that claims too many of our friends, family and loved ones.

On April 29, the Selma and Dallas County community will be called to mark the annual Relay for Life at Memorial Stadium in Selma, and once again reaffirm our commitment to defeat cancer, mourn those we have lost to the disease and celebrate the victories of those who have faced cancer and won.

The core mission of each Relay for Life team is to raise money to help fund cancer research, the kind of research that leads to more victories over cancer each and every day. Years ago, a cancer diagnose was tantamount to a death sentence. Today, such a diagnosis is a call to arms, a rallying cry to face the disease and win.

Today, through research — research funded by the likes of the American Cancer Society — many forms of cancer can be defeated and other screenings has led to ways to prevent cancer from developing in the first place.

Organizers for this year’s Relay for Life have set a goal of $100,000, a lofty goal in sluggish economic times. But, considering the disease in one way or another has affected every one of us, a simple donation to a Relay team is the least we can do to beat this foe, this opponent we call cancer.