Where to go for help

Thanks to organizations that raise funds for research and education,

a cancer diagnosis is no longer always a death sentence.

“The most important thing is to have faith in your team,” said

South County Bank Vice President Anne Morris, a breast cancer

survivor. “You have to believe in your doctors, your support group,

your hospital. If you are not happy, make a change.”

“Breast Health Resource Guide,” developed by Orange County Breast

Cancer Coalition in Irvine, contains information on breast health,

breast problems, breast cancer and lists sources for financial, legal

and medical services.

The resource guide lists the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, (949)

494-076 and South Coast Medical Center, (949) 499-1311.

Services offered by the hospital include mammograms and other

diagnostic procedures, second opinions, surgery, radiation,

chemotherapy, support groups and educational programs.

A center for cancer research and treatment in the old professional

building in front of the hospital is on the drawing board. Plans are

not jeopardized by the possibility that the hospital will move out of

town, said Joe Orsak, president of the medical center foundation that

purchased the building.

Other listings in the guide include national agencies and local

agencies. Some agencies are both, such as the Susan G. Komen

Foundation, which has headquarters in Texas and local offices in

Costa Mesa.

The foundation celebrates breast cancer survivors, raises

awareness and money with the Race for the Cure, scheduled this year

for Sept. 23. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised go the national

organization for research. The remaining 75% stays in Orange County.

“We make community grants for support groups, mammograms for

under-insured women and maintain a wig bank,” said Jen Wirtz,

foundation development coordinator. “Some of the grantees provide

personal visits to cancer patients in the hospitals.”

For more information, call (714) 957-9157.

The American Cancer Society is a national community-based

organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health

problem through research, education, advocacy and service. Orange

County headquarters are in Santa Ana. For more information, call

(949) 261-9446.

Even more locally, the Laguna Beach Relay for Life raises funds

for the cancer society. The annual relay is a 24-hour event,

scheduled to start at 6 p.m., Sept. 10 at El Morro Elementary School,

at which teams will have walkers or runners on the track around the

clock.

A kick-off party will be held at 6:30 p.m., May 19 at [seven

degrees].

Last year, the local relay raised $67,000 with the goal set at

only $35,000. Penny Svenson and Michelle Struss are the co-chairs and

may be reached at lpa1@cox.net.

The Resource Guide is a community service, not an endorsement nor

measure of quality by the Orange County Breast Cancer Coalition. For

more information or to request a copy, call Jennifer Anderson at

Mission Hospital Breast Center, (949) 365-2273 or Gay Irons at the

Wellness Community Orange County (714) 543-3200.

-- Barbara Diamond