CALABASAS MOTHER TRYING AGAIN TO OUTRACE CANCER SHE'LL RUN IN DISEASE-FIGHTING EVENT.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

CALABASAS - Cancer patient Nanci Sargent remembers when her son Scott wouldn't cut his hair until her own hair grew back after a round of chemotherapy.

And when her older daughter, Nicole, brought a favorite stuffed animal to the hospital to help ease the need for painkillers.

And when she felt unattractive and broken, and her husband, Mike, made her feel whole again.

Sargent will have another vivid memory of her 10-year battle with cancer Sunday, when she crosses the finish line in a 5K race her younger daughter, Kelli, organized with the help of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

What began during a brainstorming session for Kelli's MBA thesis turned into the Run For Her 5K Run & Stay Strong Friendship Walk, the first time the renowned hospital has partnered with anyone to sponsor a charity race.

``We get approached all of the time for fundraising ideas. But Kelli is one of the best advocates for ovarian-cancer awareness that I've ever met,'' said Tony Braswell, administrator of the Women's Cancer Research Institute, a Cedars-owned facility that will receive proceeds from the event.

Kelli's primary motivation is her mom.

This is Nanci's second bout with cancer. She was victorious the first time, defeating Hodgkin's disease even as it progressed to the worst stage. After several years in remission, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and has been fighting it for more than five years.

``My mom makes the disease less scary. She smiles every day. She jokes around with everyone,'' Kelli said. ``And if I ever come across something like this in my life, I know I'll be able to get through it because of my mom.''

It's no surprise to those familiar with ovarian cancer that its euphemisms have changed in the past decade. Once referred to as ``the silent killer,'' ovarian cancer is now known as ``the disease that whispers; so listen.''

Nanci didn't - at least in the beginning. She had just entered her 50s and thought the bloating and lower back pain was menopausal.

``I was also in denial about having cancer again,'' she said.

What makes ovarian cancer so dangerous is that there are no consistently reliable methods of detection, which means women need to alert their doctor about symptoms at the earliest inkling. Some of those symptoms include bloating, and lower back and stomach discomfort.

``We need to raise awareness in this country because research suggests there are many women who don't know anything about the symptoms,'' said Dr. Beth Karlan, director of the Women's Cancer Research Institute.

Back at the Sargent home, Kelli, Nanci and Mike are preparing for the event. Nanci's sporting a ``Run For Her'' magnet on her SUV, along with a customized license plate with the charity's name.

Kelli's been balancing her full-time job at a brand-licensing firm while solidifying the charity's logistics. And Mike is serving as husband, dad and chief support system for a family whose life has been devoted to raising cancer awareness.

``Once cancer hits, it changes your life forever,'' Mike said. ``But the thing about Nanci is that people gravitate to her. She's so personal with people, people that she doesn't even know.

``And out of this pain and suffering and terrible disease, I thank God for Nance and every day I'm with her. She has really helped me with the meaning of life.''

Evan Pondel, [phone]

evan.pondel(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

Run for Her will start at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Proceeds will benefit the Women's Cancer Research Institute. For information, call [phone], Ext. 1, or see www.dailynews.com.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Nanci Sargent, right, defeated Hodgkin's disease, but in May 2000 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now daughter Kelli, left, has partnered with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to stage a run Sunday to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

(2 -- color) The Sargents' SUV sports a license plate with the name of the fundraising charity on it.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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IF YOU GO (see text)