Participants and organizers of Suffolk’s Relay For Life have a lot to celebrate this week as they wrap up their fundraising year.

This year’s Relay was a record-breaking event, raising an unprecedented $21,000 during just six hours of the actual event. Overall, volunteers are short only about $51,000 of the $240,000 after-expenses goal.

But the Relay “year” doesn’t end until the end of August, giving folks about a week and a half to make up the difference.

Proceeds from a couple of golf tournaments that have yet to be turned in will take care of most of it. But the Relay committee has also issued a 48 Dollars and 48 Hours Challenge to all its participants.

Volunteers are asked to raise $48 in the next 48 hours. Heather Howell, chair of the committee this year, said that would take the total past the goal even if only half of the event’s participants do it.

Relay has become almost synonymous with American Cancer Society, the organization for which it raises money. For many who have fought cancer or watched others fight, it has also become synonymous with healing, victory and fighting back against the dreadful disease.

Suffolk’s Relay has enjoyed good participation and fundraising in recent years, and leaders hope that will continue into future years. Volunteers are also needed to join the committee.

Congratulations to this year’s top participants — Lynda Carroll, Lucille Spivey and Barbara Melton — as well as the top teams — Team Riverfront, Riverview and Caffeine Commandos.

For more information on Relay, visit www.relayforlife.org/suffolkva.