Cancer survivor’s ministry serves those battling the disease

A cancer diagnosis can reveal new floors to emotional bottoms and redefine despair.

Ann Ball met those realizations in 2003 when doctors discovered breast cancer.

The Centennial Hills resident said feelings of isolation washed over her.

"Unless you've heard the words 'You've got cancer,' you don't understand," she said.

Ball's pastor encouraged her to reach out to cancer survivor Rhonda Holbert , then with Celebrate Life Cancer Ministry in California. The pair kept a vow to call each other twice a week.

"What she poured into me, the encouragement and even getting me to face my mortality, was so valuable," Ball said.

On June 17, 2004 , Ball's chemotherapy radiation and three surgeries became liner notes in her story when doctors gave her a clean bill of health.

Ball devoted her remission to volunteering with Celebrate Life Cancer Ministry events and fundraisers. She opened a branch in Las Vegas in 2006 to pay forward the benefits she reaped from the organization.

In 2009, Holbert withdrew involvement and Ball discontinued the branch. But divine intervention linked the words "extend" and "hands" in her, Ball said, and she decided to create her own version.

Extended Hands Cancer Ministry is a registered nonprofit multicultural health ministry for all ages and cancer types.

It links those battling the disease with survivors and medical professionals. The ministry arranges phone buddies -- a la Ball and Holbert's initial arrangement, home and hospital visits , awareness workshops and monthly support groups, all free and at the ease and discretion of clients.

"Our mission, in a nutshell, is to encourage, empower, bring awareness and hope to the cancer fighters and their families," Ball said. "It's so important to encourage and let survivors and cancer fighters know there is life beyond cancer. Everybody doesn't die. God can work a miracle with anything."

A fundraiser and awareness seminar on human papillomavirus , which is linked to cervical cancer, is planned for 9 a.m. to noon April 21 at the Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave .

Ball invites any church, school or service group involving girls and boys 13 or older to attend .

In June, Extended Hands Cancer Ministry plans to pamper about 60 survivors for a day. Ball is looking for donations to help lavish clients with services, gift cards and more .

Extended Hands Cancer Ministry has about eight clients in treatment and dozens who attend monthly support group meetings. Ball estimates that about 250 men and women have received help since 2009 . Some have taken a page from Ball's book and become caregivers.

Twenty-year breast cancer survivor and Paradise resident Julia Withers cared for her ailing husband when his prostate cancer prognosis was bleak. After his 2005 death, Withers attended cancer support groups and crossed paths with Ball.

"A light shines wherever she goes," Withers said of Ball. "If you need anything, Ann is the person to go to. That is so relieving for anyone with cancer to have the service of a Christian."

Withers offers her time and 24/7 phone access to Helping Hands Cancer Ministry clients, she said. She arranges Bible study and keeps literature on Christian coping tools at the ready, she said.

"I don't feel as though I am a guardian angel," she said. "I feel that because of what I went through, I am able to help.

"We let them know God is in control and we can send our faith to him."

Although the organization is faith- based, Ball said incorporating religion into the service is up to the client.

"We let people know we're here to pray if they want it," she said. "If they don't want to, we don't push it. I didn't want to exclude anybody. We're diverse and we're inclusive."

Ball hopes one day to build a resource center in the center of the valley for services and meetings. Prospective clients or caregivers can learn more information about Extended Hands Cancer Ministry from 10 a.m. to noon the third Saturday of the month at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd .

Support group meetings are hosted from 6-7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at 1397 Galleria Drive, Suite 203 , in Henderson.

Families and friends are welcome to attend. All events, save for biannual fundraisers, are free.

"I say to everyone, 'The person who doesn't have cancer doesn't have any more hold on life than you do,' " Ball said. "We have today, yesterday is gone and none of us have a grasp on tomorrow. Live in the moment and always have hope."

For more information, visit extended
handscancerministry.org or call 531-6191 .

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.