Stricken WNC star gets scholarship offer

Western Nevada College softball player Melanie Pfeiffer, who was diagnosed with melanoma cancer back on April 20, has accepted a softball scholarship to Western Oregon University.

Pfeiffer, who is resting at home after a three-hour surgery on June 1 which involved the removal and testing of four lymphnodes from under her right arm, is still awaiting the results of her surgery.

"I should know by the end of the week (or early next week)," said Pfeiffer. "Hopefully any day now. The medicine made me sick and then I caught a cold. I was sick for a couple of days. The numbness is coming back, and it's starting to hurt a lot more.

"The doctor didn't tell me I couldn't play. If they find something, I may have to wait a year before I go up there. They (Western Oregon) know about my situation, and they still wnted me; wanted to help me through the process."

Pfeiffer said she also had an offer from University of Texas-Permian Basin, which just signed Taleas Marble earlier this week.

"I decided I wanted to go to Oregon, because I would be closer to my family, and I liked the coaches and the girls on the team that I met while I was there were realy nice," Pfeiffer said. "It's really beautiful up there.

"I was grateful for the offer from Texas, but I just didn't see myself there except to play on the same team with Taleas."

Pfeiffer knows she isn't out of the woods yet, but she vows to face any obstacles head on with same fire she showed on teh softball diamond.

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Pfeiffer doesn't have any medical insurance, and there have been plenty of people stepping up to help out. Her old high school, Wooster, raised more than $1200, and on Sunday there is a race-run-walk event at 4 p.m. .

The event will start and end at El Charro Avitia. The entry fee is $25, and all money collected is going to help pay Pfeiffer's medical expenses. Pfeiffer is expected to attend the event. After the run is completed, the Avitia family will host a complimentary buffet.

Participants can register for the run at ww.active.com.

Also, a fund for Pfeiffer has been set up through Bank of America. If you're interested in donating, you can go to any Northern Nevada BofA.