Normally when folks stay up all night, the only thing that results is people have a good time and wind up tired in the morning.

But tonight a brave group of people will deprive themselves of sleep for a great cause.

The annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will kick off tonight at 7 and continue through 7 a.m.

Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Each year dozens of area residents give up a little sleep in order to help raise money that benefit’s the society’s constant research for ways to prevent, treat and cure all forms of cancer.

It’s a worthy cause of the highest order.

Almost without question, each of us knows someone who has been afflicted with the disease. And cancer is a disease that doesn’t discriminate. It affects all of us regardless of age, race or sex.

‘Cancer’ is a word that strikes fear in the heart of people when they hear it said by their doctors. Often people immediately fear the worst when a diagnosis is made.

But fortunately — through research paid for in part by the American Cancer Society and fundraisers such as the Relay for Life — cancer isn’t necessarily terminal.

As evidenced by the Relay for Life’s annual Cancer Survivor Walk, dozens of people right here in the Miss-Lou have survived the disease. And for anyone who hasn’t gone to the Relay for Life, the survivor’s walk is one of the most poignant moments of the entire event.

We urge everyone who is able to head out to the Relay for Life tonight. It will be held at the new Vidalia Riverfront Landing which is beneath the Mississippi River bridge.

Bring your walking shoes and your wallet, because it’s a worthy cause that needs all our help.