Participants in Race for the Cure run for reasons dear to them

Breast cancer survivor Sandra Rinker wasn’t only participating in the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Southern Nevada Race for the Cure on Saturday on behalf of her own struggle.

The Las Vegas resident was doing it in memory of her mother and best friend, who died in 1991 and 2004, respectively.

“I have always bought shirts and bags to support the cause never realizing that I would one day be diagnosed and become a survivor,” she said. “This is very personal for me and not many people haven’t had breast cancer touch their lives in some way.”

To support Susan G. Komen even further, Rinker decided to make beaded bracelets more than a year ago and donate the proceeds to the organization.

She arrived at the race with a check for $808.

“I don’t have a set price for the bracelets; I ask people to donate anything they can give,” Rinker said. “My little project turned into a huge success.”

According to her husband, Jim, making bracelets gives his wife something to do.

“It’s great that she’s healthy enough to do it,” he said. “I’m very proud of her.”

More than 10,000 people ran or walked in 80-degree weather on Saturday morning at Race for a Cure, which was held on Fremont Street, according to Susan G. Komen Executive Director Stephanie Kirby.

She added that last year, 9,600 people participated and that all proceeds will go to the organization.

Chrissy Wirt of Las Vegas has been participating in Race for the Cure since 2009 in memory of her mother-in-law who died at age 32.

“I love being able to be a part of something that means something,” she said. “The more they can find the better as well as improved treatments and education so people can learn how to prevent it.”

Las Vegas resident Tess Haagenson was running for one of her co-worker’s who is battling breast cancer.

“Anything I can do to help and raise money for research,” she said. “A lot of people go through it and I’m hoping it won’t be me in the future but if it is I hope that there will be support like this.”

Terence Capers had plenty of encouragement from his friend, Nitza Paola Brand Restrepo, as he ran the race for the first time.

“This is my fifth year participating and my first time running,” he said. “It went better than I thought.”

Capers previously walked alongside his wife who has since died from breast cancer.

“I hope they find a cure,” Restrepo said. “There are too many people who have it not to find a cure.”

Henderson resident Terry Clemmons has been a breast cancer survivor for the past two years and said it felt wonderful to see so many people at the event.

“It’s a good learning experience especially for the little ones,” Clemmons said. “The support that is given by friends and family is so meaningful because if I hadn’t had my nieces at my side it would have been very difficult for me.”

Clemmons said she hopes affordable treatment options and preventative measures are readily available in the future.

“I hope they find something preventative that is less expensive so it’s in reach,” she said. “It needs to not happen in the first place.”

Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.