THIRTY-NINE survivors took a victory lap around the track at Suttons Bay School after talk from survivor Paula Swink. More than $39,000 was raised in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life last weekend in Suttons Bay.

Eighteen teams took to the track at Suttons Bay High School at 6 p.m. Friday and didn’t stop walking for 24 hours to raise money for ACS.

Top walkers were Crystal Lewis, who walked 37 miles for Team “Soul Sisters.” Markku Smith, a soon-to-be 8th grader at Suttons Bay School, tallied 30 miles walking and running. He is the son of Mark and Kristin Smith of Suttons Bay.

The Highlight of the event was an award presentation to George Anderson of Northport, who has raised moneys for ACS for more than 50 years — first through the Cancer Crusade, door-to-door campaign and later by organizing the Northport Run for Fun(d)s, which takes place each Fourth of July in Northport.

RICHARD BLODGETT and Deb Herman pose with a wooden swing/trellis which Herman, a cancer survivor, won during the Relay for Life. Blodgett built the swing and donated it to be awarded to a cancer survivor. Thirty-nine survivors were recognized by the group this year, including Deb Herman of Bingham Township, who was the winner of a wooden swing/trellis, built and donated by Richard Blodgett.

The next Leelanau Relay for Life is tentatively scheduled for July 26-27, 2013.

GEORGE ANDERSON of Northport accepted an award for more than 50 years of fund raising for the American Cancer Society (ACS) as part of the 2012 Leelanau County Relay for Life. Presenting him the plaque is ACS representative Stacia Kohler Thompson.

RELAY FOR LIFE is truly an event for all ages. Pictured from left are Lena VerSndyer and Lily Huffman, singing an impromptu chorus of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.