Some things in life are just worth waiting for, no matter the cost.

After a six-week delay due to the amazingly high floodwaters of the Mississippi River, the 2008 Miss-Lou Relay for Life got under way Friday night.

The weather was a bit hot — at least at the start — but the friendship and the overriding theme were amazing as always.

The Miss-Lou Relay for Life has grown from a small event several years ago to one of the premier events for communities of its size in the nation.

This year’s event hosted several visitors from other cities who came just to see why our Relay is always so successful and to take ideas back to improve their own Relays.

The 12 hours of the Relay take months and months to plan. And a small army of volunteers makes the events seem to get off the ground each year flawlessly.

This year organizers report that both the attendance and the amount of money raised will be down slightly over last year’s numbers. Both are likely due at least in part to the unexpected flood delays.

Regardless, the organizers and hundreds of volunteers can hold their head high for another job well done. Approximately $215,000 was raised for cancer research, with more likely to trickle in over the next several days.

Never let it be said that the Miss-Lou shies away from hard work — or a great cause.

Eventually, through research funds raised at events such as our Relay, cancer will be fully tamed. Until then, we can’t wait until next year’s Relay.