Life is precious, and can be interrupted by life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

However, there are helping hands from almost every angle to assist those fin their fight against this dreaded disease.

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 1, in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, MaxPreps, PLEDGE IT and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have  partnered to form Touchdowns Against Cancer. This program collects donations from high school football teams across the nation to help raise funds in the effort to defeat childhood cancer.

Also, October is breast cancer awareness month, leading to NFL players’ gloves, cleats and towels being hued in pink to support the fight and raise awareness of the disease.

On Tuesday, the Item covered a story about a local business that donated $100 for every touchdown the Picayune Maroon Tide’s football team scored on Oct. 7. They ended up scoring eight times that night. Also, another local business felt the spirit of giving and donated $200. These donations will help fulfill Donovan Trudell’s wish list, who was diagnosed with a form of liver cancer in late June. On that list was a visit to Disney World, but travel to that destination can get quite expensive. However, with the additional $1,000 raised during the football game, the Trudell family is that much closer to checking off another wish on Donovan’s list.

Sports are great for entertainment, but are even better at raising awareness and funds for causes. It can provide outlets to those that need to get away, and can provide unity in communities to reach one common and significant goal.