The following is a partial listing. be sure to check with your favorite charity to see what functions they’re sponsoring — or branch out and support one of these.

CANCER

April 13: Relay for Life, Armstrong Stadium, Hampton University;

May 18: Darling Stadium, Hampton.

Relay for Life is a national fundraiser that benefits the American Cancer Society. to date, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities have participated. It’s billed as: “A chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.” the American Cancer Society works to help people get well, stay well, and find cures.

The format involves teams of people who camp out and take turns walking or running around a track/path. Overnight events occur over a 24-hour period. each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times. It starts with an opening ceremony, followed by a survivor lap, a caregiver lap, then an opening lap for all, followed by the lighting of luminaria bags to honor loved ones.

To participate, or to find a Relay near you, go to relayforlife.org.

April 21: Bon Secours is sponsoring a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk for Colon Cancer.

On-site registration, at Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, 5818 Harbour View Blvd., in Suffolk, starts at 8 a.m.; race begins at 9 a.m.

Entry fee is $25; proceeds go to benefit the Bon Secours Foundation Cancer Care Fund.

Register in advance, online at bshr.com/colonrun.

DIABETES

April 21: 18th annual Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association.

Bike ride starts at King’s Fork High School, 351 King’s Fork Road, Suffolk for various distances — 10 miles, 30 miles, 65 miles and 100 miles.

In 2011, more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events nationwide raised more than $18 million to support the mission of the ADA to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. the local fundraising goal is $400,000; $175 minimum to participate..

Contact: Annie Holman, ; 757-424-6662, ext. 3276. Training rides at 11 a.m. on Sundays prior at Bike Beat in Chesapeake, 757-424-6151.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

June 2 and 3: Bike MS: Virginia’s Ocean to Bay Ride 2012.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and body and stops people from moving. every hour in the United States someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. in all, 400,000 are living with the disease in the United States. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. most diagnoses are in people between ages of 20 and 50.

Typically, more than 800 cyclists participate in this 2-day ride; riders are also welcome to ride on just the Saturday.