RACERS COMBAT CANCER\Mastectomy survivors join Pasadena crowd.

Byline: Terri Hardy Daily News Staff Writer

As she crossed the finish line Sunday with her daughter, Mary Ann Bell knew she was a winner.

But the 53-year-old Eagle Rock resident wasn't thinking about the 5-kilometer race that she had just finished at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Last year, Bell found out she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Her participation in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's "Race for the Cure" was a celebration of her cancer-clear body.

"I feel wonderful," Bell said. "It was very rough to get through, but now here I am."

Her 20-year-old daughter, Maggie Daues, touched her arm.

"I'm just so glad my mom is here with me," said an emotional Daues.

About 4,000 participants ran, walked, rode wheelchairs and did exercise-style dancing in the Pasadena event to raise money for the Komen Foundation's programs aimed at eradicating breast cancer.

"The foundation's races started in Dallas and now are spreading throughout the country in 60 cities," said spokeswoman Judy Ikenberry. "Runners are coming from all over the world."

The winner in the women's run at Pasadena was from Russia - 24-year-old Natalia Galushko, clocked at 16:27 for the 5 kilometers. Other winners were Rafael Amos, 29, of Los Angeles in the men's division (15:46); Chris Kohler, 26, of Palos Verdes Peninsula, wheelchair division (15:09); and Ann Makoske, 50, of Florida, survivors' division, clocked at 21:43.

Sporting the words "I'm a survivor" on hot-pink visors, many women who had a brush with breast cancer said they were there to promote awareness.

"Breast cancer is a devastating, horrible experience," said Marcie Thomas, 54, of Redondo Beach. "It's very important that women get breast examinations, that they are concerned about their health."

Polly Riley, 51, of Glendale, said she donned her pink visor to let others know that people can survive breast cancer.

"I think we're sending out a very positive message," she said. "And it's a good reminder for me, too, not to take life for granted."

Last year about 182,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer - more than 20,000 in California, the foundation estimates.

Health-care information, including data on breast cancer, was available at several booths at the Rose Bowl.

Sue Wyninegar, spokeswoman at St. Joseph Medical Center's booth, said she talked with about 2,000 people - many about the need for mammograms.

"Women are much more aware about the need to be checked," Wyninegar said. "Those with a family history of breast cancer, especially, should have earlier and more frequent examinations."

Wyninegar said doctors recommend that women have their first mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40. After the age of 50, women should have a mammogram every year, she said.

During October, breast cancer awareness month, Wyninegar said many hospitals offer low-cost mammograms.

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Photo (1) Some of the participants set out to walk, run and ride Sunday in the breast-cancer "Race for the Cure" in Pasadena. Gus Ruelas/Daily News (2) Exercisers dance at the Pasadena Rose Bowl to raise funds to fight cancer.