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Relay for Life doesn’t kick off until Nov. 13 at Mackle Park, but there are some Marco Islanders who have already kicked their efforts into high gear for the community’s annual campaign of the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Jim Sutt, and Gary and Sandra Elliott, owners of Interiors, Interiors, Interiors, are working alongside Marva Sutt, of Bank of America, and her annual drive to raise as much money as possible for Relay for Life.

“Both my parents died of cancer. And I’m a cancer survivor. Two years ago my husband (Jim) was diagnosed with throat cancer,” Marva said, while holding back tears, about why she works so hard for the Cancer Society.

“I don’t know what I would do without my husband —he’s here with me 150 percent ... Thank goodness, thanks to early detection, he’s a survivor, too,” she said. “Regular check-ups for both men and women are very important. And with early detection the numbers are going down. I’m more driven this year than any other year.”

Executive Director of the American Cancer Society, Cindy McCue said, “One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event.”.

And it could be said that nowhere is one person’s ability to make a difference more evident than on Marco Island with Marva Sutt’s Relay for Life.

QUENTIN ROUX / Eagle staff

American Cancer Society’s Executive Director Cindy McCue, from left, Gary Elliott, of Interiors, Interiors, Interiors, Marva Sutt, of Bank of America, and Sandra Elliott, of Interiors, Interiors, Interiors, announce a sidewalk-sales gala from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday next to the store, located at 938 N. Collier Blvd. About $10,000 worth of designer retail merchandise will be available for purchase at a 75 to 90 percent discount. Specialty-sales items include lamps, leather bar stools, shelving, fabric, umbrella stands, candles, paintings and planters. Coffee by Bank of America and donuts by Krispy Kreme will also be available for purchase for Marva Sutt’s Relay for Life team at the bank. Interiors, Interiors, Interiors will have a sale for newer, in-store merchandise at a 20-percent discount.

“Last year she raised $12,000 for the Cancer Society and Bank of America’s division,” said Banking Center Manager Don Hans, of Bank of America, where Marva Sutt works as a sales service specialist.

Marva was named as the highest individual fundraiser in last year’s Relay for Life campaign thanks to her lunch-time sales Friday afternoons outside Bank of America and other special events all season long (usually between October until the relay’s grand finale).

“This year it’s early, it’s in March,” Marva said of the Relay for Life finale.

She has already begun her Friday benefits outside the bank with the help of her husband Jim.

The Sutts will continue to hold their sales of hot dog, chips and a drink for $3, or meatball sub, chips and a drink for $5 directly outside Bank of America almost every Friday from November until March.

One of Marva’s first one-time-only fundraisers is scheduled to be held on the sidewalk next to Interiors, Interiors, Interiors from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, courtesy of Gary and Sandra Elliott.

Inspired by Marva’s efforts in last year’s Relay, the Elliotts have joined her in her quest to exceed her individual total in this year’s campaign.

The Elliotts have donated about $10,000 worth of retail merchandise, which Marva will sell for at least 75 to 90 percent off at the special sidewalk sales gala on Saturday.

“We felt this was a good cause. And we like the fact that Marva is the number one fundraiser on a personal level,” Gary Elliott said. “So we think it’ll be a good way for her to raise a lot of money, and we hope a lot of people come.”

He and Sandra Elliot added, “First-come, first-serve on Saturday — it’s all designer merchandise.” Gary and Sandra Elliott have also been pillars in ACS campaigns and other causes throughout Marco Island over the years.

“Along with Gary and Sandy and myself at Bank of America we’re going to see if I can beat last year’s total,” Marva said. “This year I really want to hit $15,000 and with the help of Gary and Sandra I think this is really going to help. All proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.”

Besides the many interior decorations and furniture for sale from Interiors, Interiors, Interiors, Bank of America has donated coffee, and Krispy Kreme has donated donuts for the sale.

And on Saturday, the Elliotts will also be offering 20 percent off of all the newer, in-store merchandise.

And while Bank of America’s Marva and other community members continue their Relay for Life campaigns, the American Cancer Society has announced its annual Cattle Baron’s Ball to be held Feb. 11. For more information call the Marco Island Cancer Society at 642-8800.

To help Marva Sutt’s Relay for Life team at Bank of America call 642-6565.

•••

If You Go

• What: Sidewalk sales gala benefits American Cancer Society

• When: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday

• Where: Interiors, Interiors, Interiors, 938 N. Collier Blvd.