According to the American Cancer Society, more than 10 million Americans are living with some form of cancer. Although there is no cure for cancer, researchers continue the search for one and two Reno women are doing their part to help.

Lisa Harper and Jessie Watnes, both 22, have been friends since high school and are putting their friendship to good use by putting together tonight's Drink for the Cure event at Ceol Irish Pub. Drink for the Cure begins at 6 p.m. and includes raffle prizes as well as Irish Car Bomb races, yard of beer races and dart games.

Watnes, who tends bar at Moxies in Reno, got involved with the American Cancer Society after meeting customer David Yoder, who survived cancer. Watnes took Harper to last year's Relay for Life walk to benefit the cancer society. Both women walked as part of Yoder's Troops, a team that has about 30 members and includes other cancer survivors.

"We went to the walk because of him (Yoder), but I think the experience is what got us started," Harper said. "We were really moved."

Harper recalled taking in the magnitude of the event while looking at paper bags decorated for cancer victims and survivors called luminarias. The bags glowed with a candle inside and illuminated personal messages to loved ones.

"The team decided to make a goal to raise $10,000 by the next walk," Harper said.

Months away from their May 30 deadline, Harper, Watnes and Yoder's Troops have earned about $3,700 toward their goal of $10,000.

Both women recently learned that the troops have earned themselves the honor of being Washoe County's third highest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. They are only beat by corporations that match their employee's donations. In addition, Watnes learned that she individually is the fourth highest fundraiser for the non-profit group.

Helping the Yoder's Troops earn its distinction, Watnes has put time into Internet searching and used her creativity to come up with fundraising ideas.

"I Googled fundraisers," Watnes said. "I try to figure out which ones make the most money and are fun and do-able."

Harper said that the group has done many events at peoples homes including poker nights and dinner auctions, but Drink for a Cure will be the group's first large-scale event. She said she has gone to Ceol in Reno since it opened in April 2007 and thought it would be a great place to hold the event. Owner Ron McCarty generously agreed to help and has even donated raffle prizes for the evening.

"We just went to Ron and threw the idea at him," Harper said. "He is going to donate 20 percent of his sales for the night. He's been wonderful."

McCarty said he was happy to help Harper with the event and that it is important for the Irish pub to give back.

"It is a very good cause and it is the right thing to do," McCarty said. "We like to think of ourselves as the neighborhood pub and we like to give back to the community."

Putting together the event has been hard work and Harper and Watnes have been working since the end of January to gather raffle prizes from area businesses including gift certificates from Archie's Bar and Grill, Kalifornia Jean Barn, the Olive Garden, the Yoga Shack, Michael's Deli, the Rubicon Deli and even a tattoo from Battle Born Tattoo.

Raffle tickets are $5 or three tickets for $10.

Other prizes include the chance to win an original Ceol bar stool, since McCarty recently purchased new ones.

"We're going to give away some bar stools," McCarty said. "It's not a joke gift, we've had people ask for them."

Drink for a Cure will also appeal to people's competitive side with Irish Car Bomb races, yard of beer races and dart games.

Through their efforts to raise money for the American Cancer Society, Watnes and Harper have gotten other people involved, including local car club Freaks of Nature. The car club hopes to hold a show 'n' shine and poker run in Carson City with proceeds benefiting the cancer society. For information on the show 'n' shine, visit www.myspace.com/freaksofnaturereno.

"We love the fact that we're young and we are best friends having fun doing this," Harper said. "It sounds cliché, but it just feels good."

Harper is very thankful for support from the community and local businesses that have helped with the event and hopes that people go to Ceol to enjoy Drink for the Cure. She added that it is not all about drinking; there will be non-alcoholic beverages available as well.

"I think that cancer is something that affects everyone in some way or another," Watnes said. "This is something that benefits everybody."

For more information about the American Cancer Society, including donations, volunteering, Relay for Life and how to start or join a team, visit www.cancer.org. Watnes said she will also have information at Drink for a Cure.

Drink for a Cure starts at 6 p.m. tonight at Ceol, which is located at 538 S. Virginia St. in Reno.