Students, faculty prepare for race by Jeffrey Stebbins The Ranger Reporter

Students and faculty will represent Amarillo College at the 12th annual Race For the Cure Saturday at the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center. The nonprofit event benefits victims of breast cancer by earning money to be used for research.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fundation was founded by Nancy Brinker in memory of her sister Susan Komen, who lost a three-year battle with breast cancer.

The foundation donates funds to breast cancer research in search of a cure.

Brenda Wilkes, the AC Accessibility coordinator, said, “I would just like to see more participation, if possible, from the individuals on campus because breast cancer is so prevalent.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for individuals to come together and work toward a common goal.”

Angela Hughes, sponsor of Phi Theta Kappa, said the group is volunteering for the race. “They filled up all the volunteer spaces before we could sign up, which is awesome,” Hughes said.

Phi Theta Kappa is having one of its members, pre-med major Casey Schlegel, run for the group.

Schlegel said she is running in the 5K and will be running in the 20- to 24-year-old division.

“Personally I am doing it for a good cause, and it feels good,” Schlegel said, “even though I am running.”

Bobbie Glasscock, executive secretary in the dean of instruction’s office, said she is in charge of the race operation committee.

“I have been doing it for 11 years,” Glasscock said.

“I enjoy doing it. It is a nationwide event.”

 “Every year I think am I going to do it again. I think I keep doing it because I lost my husband to cancer 10 years ago.”

Glasscock said she is in charge of the start and finish lines, and she also is in charge of tabulating the results.

Glasscock said she also helps out with the Fine Arts Alliance 5K run sponsored by the art museum in June.

 According to Cinda Courtney of the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 25 percent of the funds raised are returned to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Dallas.

The remaining 75 percent stays in Amarillo for the benefit of local breast cancer programs.

The race will be Saturday at the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center at 1500 Wallace Blvd. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. The fee is $20 per person.

Cancer survivors will be distinguished by wearing pink T-shirts and hats.

Winners in each age division and cancer survivors will receive prizes. Seven winners will receive watches from Barnes Jewelry.

The grand prize winner will receive round-trip airfare for two on American Airlines to any destination in the United States.

Contributions by Tori Durst