January and February have turned into the season of cancer-fighting for Mower County, and we encourage everyone to join in the efforts.

It all started in 1980 with the Lyle Area Cancer Auction, which has grown from one auction to several events throughout the year.

As Lyle Area Cancer has grown, so too has the newest cancer-fighting event: Paint the Town Pink.

Now entering its sixth year, PTTP has grown into an effort that includes a variety of events and now spans several communities. It aims to raise $200,000 this year for breast cancer research at The Hormel Institute.

Cancer has touched everyone in some way, so it should be a source of community pride to see so many examples of how volunteers are striving to support research toward treatments and a cure.

Here are just a few impressive numbers to show what these fundraisers have accomplished:

•$2.2 million: The amount Lyle Area Cancer has raised in 36 years.

•$230,000: The amount Lyle Area Cancer raised last year.

•$191,000: Amount raised through Paint the Town Pink initiatives last year.

•$554,000: Rough amount raised through PTTP’s first five years.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you support PTTP and Lyle Area Cancer. As these events have proven, every dollar adds up in the fight against cancer.

So mark your calendars. The Lyle Area Cancer Auction will is this Friday and Saturday in the Lyle American Legion and the adjoining Lyle maintenance building. The auction starts at 6 p.m. Friday and continues until around midnight or 1 a.m. The auction resumes at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs until the last item sells, typically between 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

This year’s official PTTP runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 14. The Austin Bruins’ sixth annual Paint the Rink Pink hockey game is Feb. 6 when the Bruins take on the Coulee Region Chill at Riverside Arena.

Get involved and help make cancer history.