To the citizens of Crenshaw County, Relay for Life is a cause very close to the hearts of many.

In honor of Relay for Life, the Hometown Medical Equipment Relay team has organized three different fundraisers to enhance cancer awareness.

In September, the group began its fundraising projects with a Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirt sale in honor of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In November, the last two fundraisers will be held.

Toni Smith, team captain for the Hometown Medical Relay team, has been apart of events like this for years now and encourages everyone to attend. Each member of the relay team has been affected by cancer in some way, and Smith feels that this makes the desire to help even stronger.

“We strive very hard to raise as much money as we can,” said Smith. “All of us that are involved have had family members that have been touched with cancer, so it’s something near and dear to each and every one of us on the team.”

For fundraiser No. 2, the Crenshaw County Riders and the Hometown Medical Relay team have joined forces to “Ride For The Cure” in the fifth annual Save the TaTas Poker Run. Unlike most bike rides, a Poker Run gives the participants the chance to win prizes based on cards they draw at each stopping point. At the end of the ride, the rider with the best poker hand can win the grand prize. All riders are given a complimentary gift after the race as well as the chance to win door prizes. All riders are encouraged to wear a bikini top in a salute to Breast Cancer Awareness. The ride will be held on Saturday with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the race beginning at 10 a.m. The riders will start at Hudson Heavy Duty at the intersection of Hwy. 331 and Hwy. 10 and will finish the race there. The costs are as follows: $20 per bike, $10 for an extra rider and $5 for an extra hand. Food will be provided for riders at the end of the race.

The third and final fundraiser will be the Crenshaw County Relay for Life Beauty Pageant, which will be held on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The entry fee will be $25 per contestant. All proceeds raised from these events will go to benefit the American Cancer Society.