Charitable organizations raise money in many ways -- dances, bingo, auctions, car washes, bake sales and on and on.

People support a cause that is important to them while socializing with like-minded friends and neighbors. The American Cancer Society has taken this recipe for success and, if not run, walked with it.

The society holds 24-hour walkathons called Relays for Life. Nearly every weekend in May and June, there is a Relay for Life somewhere in the Central Susquehanna Valley. The first of the season was the Line Mountain event held last weekend. Next up is the Montour Area event planned for May 10-11 in Danville.

Each relay features teams of walkers and round-the-clock entertainment and activities. The relays generate substantial sums for the fight against cancer. As important to participants is that they celebrate survivors and remember those who have died to the disease.

Cancer touches many lives. Over 70,000 people in Pennsylvania will learn they have a form of cancer this year, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society.

The Relay for Life is popular because it empowers us -- money will be raised to fund research that will save lives.

Community members stand shoulder-to-shoulder and fight to conquer a dreaded disease. Along the way, step by step, neighbors become closer as well -- bonded by a shared commitment to defeat a disease that has caused so much pain. It is not surprising that in a region of close-knit communities an event fueled by compassion and love thrives. Valley residents care about each other -- the Relay for Life has proven that, again and again.