Nellis Airmen 'Race for the Cure' Published May 6, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Jacob R. McCarthy Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- More than 100 Nellis Airmen took to the streets of downtown Las Vegas during the 13th Annual 2008 Komen Southern Nevada Race for the Cure May 3. Airmen from across Nellis joined 18,000 other runners, walkers and strollers at the Fremont Street Experience to help raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Helping lead the way for Nellis this year was the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital In Action Team -- the MOFHIA. Bringing it all together for the MOFHIA was co-team captain, Teri Hayden, a staff nurse for Veterans Affairs Southern Nevada Health System. Hayden together with 2nd Lt. Erin Moran, 99th Medical Operations Squadron, clinical nurse, rounded 20 other team members from all walks of leadership and staff from the 99th MDOS, raising more than $1,000 to contribute at the race. "For me, the most enjoyable part was coordinating," said Hayden. "It's an honorable charity and a good way to help breast cancer research." What brought her to the race personally was knowing people who've suffered from breast cancer, said Hayden. "One of our team member's wife is a survivor," said Hayden. "It's important to do this because you know someone who's been through it." Another MOFHIA team member found her motivation in the strength of family. "I have an aunt who had breast cancer," said 1st Lt. Tiffany Reich, 99th MDOS, clinical nurse. "Anybody can get breast cancer. It strikes regardless of family history. It's something we can cure, so let's cure it." With more than 28,000 supporters lining the streets and participating in the race, it became clear to Lieutenant Reich what this race is really all about. To walk around and see these pink tee-shirts and see the age span breast cancer has affected is touching said Lieutenant Reich. "There were women my age and women my grandmother's age. It's really sad to see it affect such a wide spectrum of so many women." Reaching back from the civilian community to the military community, race manager Stephanie Kirby is thankful to have the Team Nellis commitment. "For [Airmen] to engage Las Vegas residents and be a part of an event like this means a lot to the local community," said Kirby. "Whatever political stance anyone may have, we feel a great sense of patriotism for their presence here." No matter what reason Airmen chose to give their time and money to the fight against breast cancer, raising awareness and curing the disease was at the heart of the race. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the largest source of nonprofit funds to fight breast cancer in the world, raising more than $1 billion since 1982.
