With 2010 winding down, Lawrence County Relay for Life organizers are already gearing up for another year.

The kickoff for the 2011 Relay for Life will be Jan. 18 at Chesapeake Middle School. During the kickoff, teams may sign up for the 2011 Relay for Life, which will be held in May at Chesapeake Middle School.

Anyone interested in joining the event’s committee is also encouraged to come to the kickoff, Debbie Filkins, the events’ co-chair, said.

With the help of 19 teams, Relay for Life raised $100,418 this year at its May event and with the help of other events like Symmes Valley Schools’ annual Walk for a Cure.

“We set a goal and we were a little under that goal. I think, considering the economy, we did OK,” Filkins said.

Among the teams that raised the largest amounts were the Symmes Valley Vikings School with more than $21,845, the Faithful Fighters in Ironton with $23,000 and the Ridge Runners from Chesapeake/Proctorville with $11,355. Other teams raised $5,000 to $10,000.

Filkins said every donation to the organization — no matter the size — makes a difference. Besides cancer research, the American Cancer Society also provides services like transportation to medical facilities and health screenings to cancer patients who cannot afford them.

Filkins thanks the teams and asks them to keep up the good work.

“It’s fun and we have a good time but the bottom line is that we are there for a reason and that is to hope that we don’t have another person that loses their life to cancer,” she said.

Relay for Life teams are also gearing up for Daffodil Days. The flower sale is one of the American Cancer Society’s oldest fundraisers. People can also purchase bears and daffodil bulbs along with the flowers by contacting any one of the Relay for Life teams. Orders are taken for the flowers in December and January. The flowers should arrive in March.

The kickoff will be 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at Chesapeake Middle School. Anyone with questions about Relay for Life may contact Filkins at (740) 646-0409 or co-chair Melanie Kerstetter at (740) 886-7403.