BARKER — Carol Ander wants to get something off her chest — and she hopes others will, too.

The small-town store manager and her dedicated friends in the Niagara County community of Barker are raising eyebrows, awareness and money to fight cancer by asking for a bra and a $5 donation for their "Mammary Mile" fundraising project.

Based in Thee Barker Store, Ander and her friends are lending their support to the American Cancer Society by "hooking up to fight cancer" with the creation of a mile-long line of bras.

"I figure weve got to collect a little more than 2,000 bras to hook together to create a mile of them, and our goal is to do this by Mothers Day of next year," Ander said. "I figure well be able to raise between $10,000 to $12,000 to donate to the Relay for Life next June."

Gretchen Leffler, vice president of the Western New York region of the American Cancer Society, said she likes the fundraising idea.

"Carol and her group have done an incredible job of fundraising for us for almost a decade. Theyre having fun with a serious topic here, and I get a kick out of it," Leffler said. "Those ladies are just wonderful . . . Breast cancer is so prominent now. Weve taken it out of the closet, and we need to talk about it, because its not taboo anymore."

More than 9,000 area residents will contract a form of cancer this year — and more than 1,200 will be diagnosed with breast cancer, Lefflers organization estimates.

"Our volunteers are so passionate about helping raise awareness and funds to support us, and they are incredibly creative," Leffler said. "Because there are so many fundraisers out there, you kind of have to set yourself apart."

Anders store has a rack filled with donated bras, even a corset from an older woman in the community.

Participants dedicating a bra in a loved ones name are asked to write the persons name and a personal message in permanent ink on the fabric.

"This can be done in memory of someone who has died of cancer, or is a survivor, and not just of breast cancer, but of any cancer," Ander said.

She said she came up with the idea for the Mammary Mile a few years ago, and her regular customers and friends who comprise her Relay for Life team — "Thee Barker Soda Jerks" — embraced the project this year.

The groups goal calls for completing the project so participants in the Mothers Day Breast Cancer Canal Walk next May 9 in Lockport will walk past a mile-long stretch of connected bras displayed along the Erie Canal.

Thee Barker Soda Jerks then will participate in their 10th Relay for Life in Lockport on June 19 and make their Mammary Mile donation to the American Cancer Society.

"When Carol approached us with this idea, I thought it was an awesome way to tie into the Relay for Life, because were all looking for a cure," said Rebecca Florio, co-chairman with her husband, Jack, of the Mothers Day Breast Cancer Canal Walk.

Florios sister, Mary Marvin, started the Mothers Day walk 13 years ago and died two years later of breast cancer, at age 42. Florio said that among beneficiaries, the Mothers Day walk funds what is now known as "Marys Room" at the American Cancer Societys Amherst headquarters, which provides free wigs to cancer patients.

Ander said her boss, Stephen Giroux, owner of the Thee Barker Store in northeastern Niagara County, "is totally, 100 percent behind the idea."

So far, Ander and her group have collected about 200 bras.

"Were trying to get a bra from someone in each state, and weve already gotten bras from people in England and Germany," Ander said.

Ander said that, since 2000, she and her group have raised nearly $92,000 for the American Cancer Society by participating in a Relay for Life.

Brushes with cancer in her own family led Ander to get involved.

"My sister-in-law died of liver and colon cancer at 32, and my [late] father-in-law battled with prostate cancer for close to 10 years," she said. "They say one of every three people will get cancer. It just doesnt stop. I have four grandchildren, and I hope the pain stops before they get older. I have to do this."

Lori Jenks, Anders employee, lost her mother to pancreatic cancer a year ago.

"Cancer touches everyone," she said. "There really isnt anyone who can say they dont know someone who hasnt had it."

The Barker group will collect donations of bras and money at an upcoming American Cancer Society event, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Watts Farm at 9 a. m. Oct. 18 at 3121 Oak Orchard Road, Albion.

For more information, contact Ander at Thee Barker Store, 8671 Main St., Barker, NY 14012, or call 795-3085.