We were glad to see the Mower County Relay for Life soared to another successful year.

Saturday’s annual cancer-fighting fundraiser and continued push for more birthdays brought in $98,000, up from $88,000 last year.

The work of the many volunteers who organized teams and the long line of survivors who walked Saturday are just one reason to be hopeful the efforts are making a difference.

The relay is one facet of a Mower County’s growing reputation for fighting back against cancer. The Lyle Area Cancer Auction has raised more than $100,000 for many years, and Paint the Town Pink grew substantially in its second year.

There was an added level of intrigue for this year’s relay, as a balloon released Saturday traveled to Paris, Ontario, Canada — a town 830 miles away by land routes.

It’s just another example of how the relay continues to touch lives.

But the push for money and the fight against cancer is not over. Relay for Life will be accepting donations through Aug. 31, so there’s still time to give.