Just because the starting gun has yet to fire doesn't mean local Relay for Life teams aren't already warming up for the American Cancer Society's premier fundraising effort.

"Some of our teams do year-round fundraising," said Fran Miley, income development manager for the ACS Southern Region. "They can be as uncomplicated as a bake sale in the fall to a chili supper in winter, but enough sales of those 25-cent cookies will eventually help us find a cure for cancer."

Now in its 15th year in Illinois, Relay for Life is the signature activity of the ACS. The events are designed to raise cancer awareness, honor those lives the disease has touched and raise money to fight the disease, Miley said.

Miley oversees 21 relays in the southern 22 counties of the state. The local events will take place starting in April and will finish up in July, she said, but many teams are already actively raising money for the cause.

"Southern Illinois constituents are very generous with their time and money," she said.

Among those teams is the Anna Quarries/Choate Relay for Life team of Union County. The team has raised more than $10,000 a year for several years and has that figure as its goal again this year, said Teri E. Goldsberry, who co-captains the team with Pam Land.

"All of the money we raise goes to the cancer society for research, education, services and new program development. It's a wonderful use of our donation dollars," she said.

Through Feb. 28, the team is selling AmberWatches, a safety device for children, Goldsberry said. The watches feature a 115-decibel alert signal and four bright LED lights that flash when activated.

"We set it off at a recent Scout meeting and the 35 people in attendance all stopped what they were doing," she laughed.

Watches are $29.95 each and are available by calling (618) 697-0589.

Callers are asked to leave a message with an evening phone number and the call will be returned.

Miley said even though fundraising activities may currently be under way, it is not too late to join or form a team. For more information on Relay for Life, call Miley at (618) 998-9898 or visit www.cancer.org.

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(618) 927-5633