BMW LOCAL HERO IS CANCER FIGHTER.

Byline: DIANA PEYTON Community Columnist

Maryann Robertson has been named a local hero by Pacific BMW in Glendale for her participation in the BMW Drive for a Cure campaign.

Robertson, coordinator for the Marcia Ray Breast Center at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, was chosen as the Glendale representative for her outstanding contribution in the fight against breast cancer.

``I'm very fortunate that I like what I do,'' said Robertson, who started working at the center as a registration clerk eight years ago.

``When I started we had a very small program,'' she said. ``Since I've been here, we have grown from giving 3,000 to over 12,000 mammogram screenings per year. It means women are getting diagnosed earlier and it's saving their lives.''

Last May, at the request of program participants, Robertson accompanied support group members and breast cancer survivors Sue Baker, Carmen Grimshaw and Ramona Kurasz to Washington, D.C., for an advocacy conference and to lobby for legislation.

At the conference she met Michelle Rakoff, director of the Breast Friends program at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, who nominated her for the award.

``They're doing a great job in Glendale,'' said Rakoff. ``They put a cookbook together and raised the funds they used to go to Washington, D.C. I introduced them to (Rep.) Adam Schiff and they got to spend time talking to him about breast cancer and legislation.''

Recognized at a reception at the dealership Nov. 1, Robertson autographed one of the 18 Drive for the Cure cars, which display the signatures and photos of local heroes, to which her photo was added.

The cars traveled the United States, with BMW of North America contributing $1 per mile, up to $1 million, to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Success has been achieved by area teachers and students.

William Toutant, California State University, Northridge, dean of the College of Arts, Media and Communication, has received the Bautzer Faculty University Advancement Award.

Also, two CSUN students, Brandon Nicholas and Nicole Preston, are finalists in the CSU Summer Arts Media Arts Festival being held this weekend.

Sheryll Ellis, a sixth-grade teacher from San Fernando Middle School, has been given a Crystal Apple award from KNBC-TV (Channel 4) for being a role model to her students and inspiring them to achieve.

Leanna Boychenko, daughter of Anthony and Lynn Boychenko of Northridge, has been named a Commended Student at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.

Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., has awarded Lauren Ganz with academic honors. She is the daughter of Woodland Hills residents Jacqueline and David Ganz.

Funds to help develop the Amerman Family Foundation Community Service Center at Phoenix House, a substance-abuse facility for youths in Lake View Terrace, have been donated by John and Jerry Amerman of Palos Verdes.

The center will offer vocational counseling, social skills training and family interaction preparation to encourage drug-free living for teens in the Phoenix House drug treatment program.

The couple attended the unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 1. He is a former chairman and CEO of Mattel Corp. and has served on the Phoenix House board of directors.

Several local agencies have been given grants to continue projects.

Valley Presbyterian Hospital and Organization for the Needs of the Elderly have been given a $200,000 renewal of a grant first given last year to continue care services for stroke prevention and treatment.

Two other organizations have received grants from the Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation.

DeafWest Theatre Company in North Hollywood was given $20,000 for the Children's Theatre Workshop. Lokrantz Parent Group Incorporated received $12,000 to hold eight ``SenseAbilities'' workshops.

The Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation is a fund of the California Community Foundation. Howard was a live-in cook and housekeeper for Walt Disney.

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Maryann Robertson signs a Drive for the Cure car, after she was named a Glendale local hero by Pacific BMW for her outstanding help in the fight against breast cancer.