One of the highlights of October here in Charlotte County is the annual TPAC — Truckers Parade Against Cancer. On Oct. 8, despite the rain, crowds of people turned out for nearly 190 vehicles parading through Phenix, Charlotte Court House, Drakes Branch and Keysville.

Some people were mystified about why organizers didn’t choose to move the parade to its rain date of Oct. 9, which turned out sunny and bright.

No matter. It was OK to get wet on a dark and rainy Saturday because TPAC raised more than $74,000 for the American Cancer Society. Not a bad haul, if you’ll pardon the pun, especially on a day like that.

And it’s for such a good cause. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many, if not all, of the parade’s entries were dedicated to someone in the trucker’s or owner’s lives who is fighting against or succumbed to cancer in any of its forms. Trucks adorned with banners memorializing those loved ones paraded by so many who turned out along the route.

To anyone fighting cancer and to those helping them, and to anyone whose loved one has passed away from cancer, events like the TPAC are a happy, fun way to face something as terrible as cancer. So, kudos to organizers and participants and a hearty “Thank You!” to those who came out to watch.