Center plans to extend its reach

      The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Center is planning to extend its educational, referral and resource services and community outreach programs with money from its yearly Race for the Cure.
      The center at 3233 W. Charleston Blvd. provides support groups, a state-wide resource guide, and a research center which includes videos, Internet access and other research material.
      Director Ginny Ordesch, who has been managing the center since September, said it's a gathering place for breast cancer survivors, like herself, to find support.
      "I'm a breast cancer survivor and I'm here to talk to people," she said. "This is a quiet setting where people can talk about their needs and what resources are available. But sometimes they just need to talk."
      Ordesch said the center plans to give grant money this year to community nonprofit groups helping to educate the public about breast cancer.
      The seven-member grant committee is chaired by Marla Weber, who also sets on the center's executive board of directors.
      Grant money will be available this spring, but Ordesch said she won't know how much until the race proceeds are totaled. Groups can get grant applications at the center or call Ordesch at 822-2334.
      In 1997, the center gave $10,000 to St. Rose Dominican Hospital's mammography department, which offers free mammograms to the community.
      It also awarded $5,000 to the newly formed Breast Coalition of Nevada for office equipment. This group helps encourage women to participate in the legislative process when proposed laws affect breast cancer issues.
      The center also gave $1,000 to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society to help fund the group's "Essence of Beauty" publication for breast cancer survivors.
      The Breast Cancer Center will hold its third Race for the Cure, March 7 at the Galleria at Sunset Mall, in Henderson.
      Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. The one-mile fun walk begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K run is at 8 a.m. A health fair will follow the race from 9 a.m. and last until 11 a.m.
      To register for the race or volunteer for the event call the Race for the Cure's hotline at 435-4565.
      Area Hallmark stores will accept registrations Feb. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. Stores at the Meadows and Boulevard malls will accept entry forms Feb. 28 and March 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Race entry fees range from $15 to $20.
      Race chair Lisa Zurcher-Meyer expects 6,000 participants to help bring in $150,000 for the local chapter of the breast cancer foundation. Last year the race brought in 3,500 participants and raised $100,000.
      "The most important thing to me is women have choices in their lives when they deal with breast cancer," she said . "I want to be a part eradicating breast cancer as soon as possible."
      The Race for the Cure committee selects one local artist to create a piece of art work that will be used in promotions and on the award plaques and certificates.
      After the race the original art will hang in the center. Zurcher-Meyer said the center has not announced this year's artist.
      The race is the center's biggest fund-raiser, with 75 percent of the proceeds going to support its community outreach programs, education and resource services and grant programs.
      The remaining 25 percent goes to the National Research Center for Breast Cancer.