For the second year running, the Austin Quiznos, owned by Marlene and Norm Blaser, was the top store nationally in the chain’s annual fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The store raised $853 in this year’s drive.

“Thank you Marlene and Norm Blaser and Quiznos for your wonderful support for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” said Natalie Taylor, presenting and speaking on behalf the organization Wednesday afternoon.

“Besides the financial contribution, Marlene and her staff helped spread an awareness of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society which will expand beyond this promotion.”

For the Blasers, taking part in the fundraiser seemed only natural.

“It’s my thing,” she said. “I like doing things like this. Both me and Norm have cancer in both sides of the family.”

The Austin Quiznos store raised just under $200 more than the second place finisher, a store in Windsor, Colorado that raised $695 dollars.

“I think it’s awesome,” Marlene said. “I tell people it’s Minnesota nice.”

The goal, however, did come in under both last year’s winning total of $1,160 and this year’s goal of $1,200. But the drive itself on a national level saw lower amounts raised.

Last year the company raised $94,000. This year it raised $20,000.

Nevertheless, this year has a little extra meaning. The Blasers are retiring in the early part of November. The last day of the store will be Nov. 9.

“It’s like our last hurrah,” Blaser said. “We’re finishing off on a high note.”