Public Notice

A simple fact about cancer: Early detection makes a difference. One new option in the quest for detection might be genetic testing. This is a hot topic in the cancer treatment community and one which will no doubt pose questions of risk, privacy, and ethics as it develops. Our local Breast Cancer Resource Center of Austin along with the National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, and a few medical types will host a special public education program on Genetic Susceptibility to Breast & Ovarian Cancer, Tue, Apr 20, 7pm at St. David's Health Resource Center, I-35 & 30th St. The program should address some of the above concerns as well as provide info about local resources for genetic testing. We know this is an entire week and a half away, but in the spirit of early detection, we thought we'd tell you now. 472-1710.

• The American Cancer Society's Coping With Breast Cancer Support Group is an eight-week program addressing the needs of women who have undergone treatment. 919-1886.
• In the weeks leading up to Mother's Day, Hallmark cards has launched Cards for the Cure, designed by breast cancer survivor Paula Krekovich. The more cards sold between Sun, Apr 18 and Sun, May 2 at their Hallmark Gold Crown stores (Donna's, 7101 Hwy 71 West, #C9, the Hallmark Showcase at Great Hills Market or either of the Kay's in Barton Creek Square or at Highland Mall), the more money raised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 800/462-9273.
• Relatedly, the Southwest Regional Cancer Center among others will present the Strength of Caring Program twice: Sat, Apr 10, 9am-3pm at the South Austin Cancer Center, 4101 James Casey and again on Sat, May 15, 9am-3pm at the Texas Cancer Center in Round Rock, 2410 Round Rock Ave., #150. The program will teach family members how to provide at-home care that so many cancer patients need. The programs (including lunch) are free and open to the public, but you must first register. 800/624-2542 x3775.

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Vigil With a Vengeance

This Sun, Apr 11, 5-7pm Austin Metropolitan Ministries invites you to join them on the south steps of the State Capitol in a Community Sunset Prayer Vigil for the innocents caught in the Kosovo crisis. AMA will also be collecting for the Church World Service/Kosovo Crisis Fund, which you may donate to even if you don't attend the vigil: AMA, 2026 Guadalupe, #226, 78705. 472-7627.

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Kids of America

A different kind of corps all together, AmeriCorps members will build energy-efficient, low-income housing for National Youth Service Day right smack dab in the middle of National Volunteer Week. Our own local American Institute for Learning invites volunteers to help with the house raisings, Fri, Apr 16, 8:30am-4:30pm at 1200 Delano. Youth Service America throws the annual service day to increase the quality and quantity of service opportunities for young Americans. 472-3395.

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Bilingual Curious?

Hey you fence-sitting lingual jumpers, Political Asylum Project (PAPA) needs you. PAPA needs bilingual (Español/English) speakers to Assist Hondurans and Nicaraguans who may qualify for work authorization due to Hurricane Mitch. They need you at their office, 1715 E. Sixth, #200, Fridays in April and May, plus Sat, Apr 10 & 24 and Sat, Mat 1 & 22. 478-0546.

* And this seems like as good a place as any to promote the American Red Cross of Central Texas' new state-of-the-art Web site: http://www.redcrossaustin.org

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More Laffs, Like You Need 'em

Right. Like you don't already have comedy out the yingyang. Like this week's worth of Funny: Ha Ha wasn't enough to whet your wit whistle. Haven't we laughed enough for one month? Do they want us to die from laughter? Cruel, we think, scheduling the Abby November Comedy Angels & Boys benefit for AIDS Services of Austin's Helping Hands Food Pantry for the week after the Big Stinkin' Improv Fest. God, like our sides aren't split enough and our cheeks aren't stretched to their limits. If you can handle it, go. It's Mon, Apr 19, 7-10 pm at Top of the Marc, above Katz's Deli, 618 W. Sixth. Donation is only three nonperishables or $5. Heck, even if you can't handle one more titter, go for the raffle. 406-6153 or 406-6130.