The local fight against breast cancer has a major fundraiser in the beginning of May when the Race for the Cure returns to the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas.
The great thing about this fundraiser for the Southern Nevada Chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is that 75-percent of all the money raised stays in the Las Vegas valley.
That money is helping women like Chris Reynolds, who is fighting breast cancer, without insurance.
"And I just gave up," she said. "There was nowhere to go."
"At one point we were told to wait 45 days for something and Chris was just diagnosed with cancer and couldn't' t wait 45 days," said Russ Reynolds, Chris' husband.
The Reynolds where prepared to fight and they went to the local Komen office where Stacey Gross found a surgeon to donate his services. Funds from the race will pay for the rest of the life-saving treatment.
"Chemotherapy and radiation are essential in a breast cancer diagnosis and really ensure survival," Gross said.
Like a lot of southern Nevadans, the Reynolds have jobs , but no benefits. Cancer patients can no longer turn to UMC because of budget problems there. So, without Komen and the money raised at the race, Chris Reynolds might not see her eight children grow up.
"I get to stay with my children," she said.
The Race for the Cure will be held May 2, 2009 so there is plenty of time to sign up, form a team and start training!
