A tree outside of the Ranson Convention and Visitor's Bureau has been decorated with purple to aid in awareness of Jefferson County's Relay for Life efforts. Toni Milbourne

CHARLES TOWN – The never-ending battle to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer has local volunteers gearing up for the kick-off of Jefferson County Relay for Life.

While the actual relay won’t be held until June, the focus on raising funds for the event takes place throughout the year.

“Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society,” said Jefferson County Relay for Life chair Heather Fauble.

To jump start this year’s event, a ‘Kick-off and Cook-off’ event will be held on Jan. 18, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Charles Town Baptist Church.

The event’s annual ceremony, recognizing cancer survivors and cancer patient caregivers, will begin at 2 p.m.

Playing on the success of last year’s cook-off, this year’s gathering will host not only a chili cook-off and macaroni and cheese cook-off, but will also hold a cook-off for baked goods. Community members are encouraged to enter their favorite dishes in the competition. For a $5 fee, community members will get to taste and vote on which dishes will be the winners of the competitions.

Anyone interested in entering the cook-off portion of the event should contact Fauble at 304-283-3305 or at relayforlife@aol.com.

“The community’s involvement is crucial to raise funds to improve cancer survival and provide funding for research and support programs,” Fauble said. “In addition, the event joins a community to support cancer survivors and caregivers and to fight back against cancer.”

In addition to the cook-off portion of the event, local Relay for Life teams will set up booths with fun activities to raise funds for their teams. Information on the relay will also be available at the vent, for those interested in organizing a team or joining an existing team.

In 2019, 42 teams, with 308 participants, joined in the relay in June. Those teams surpassed the relay’s $100,000 goal by over $34,000.

For more information about Jefferson County Relay for Life, visit www.RelayforLife.org/JeffersonWV.