With the winter squalls blanketing the county, the month of May may seem so far away. But for the volunteers who create the annual Relay for Life, it is sooner than you think.

That’s why they are gearing up for the fundraiser with a Relay Kick-off Rally Tuesday, from 6-8 p.m. at Chesapeake Middle School.

“This is open to the public and anyone interested in starting a Relay for Life team or would like to get involved with Relay in any way,” according to Alisha Thomas-Newberry, Lawrence County staff partner with the American Cancer Society.

Relay for Life is an all-night carnival-like event with teams that have conducted fundraisers whose proceeds will go to cancer research.

Throughout the night members of each team will take turns walking on a track to honor those who have fought cancer.

Tuesday’s rally will be an open house with various booths that detail different aspects of the Relay. It will also be a time for old teams to come back to register for this year’s Relay.

“We are hoping more people in the community will come out and get registered for a team,” Thomas-Newberry said. “To have a team someone takes on the role of team captain and they recruit 15 to 20 to make up a team. Their teams work together to raise money. At the Relay it is like our celebration.”

This year’s Relay for Life will be May 14 and 15 at the Chesapeake High School track.

For those interested for more information contact Melanie Kersetter at 304-412-0441 or Thomas-Newberry at 888-227-6446 Ext. 3203.

“We want everyone in the community to check us out,” Thomas-Newberry said.