Keyboardist and songwriter Richard Bell, one-time member of Janis Joplin's band, died one June 15 of multiple myeloma in a Toronto hospital. He was 61.

Bell, who began playing with Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band in 1970, was diagnosed with cancer one year ago. He received intensive treatment and made a comeback, despite his poor prognosis. This past spring, however, his cancer returned.

Bell is also known for his musical work with artists such as Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Joe Walsh, Paul Butterfield, The Cowboy Junkies, Bruce Cockburn, and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent gig was with the Toronto jazz and blue group Pork Bellies Futures.

He is survived by his mother, his sister, and his nieces and nephews.

Over 20,000 people walked and ran in Saturday's Race for the Cure in downtown Detroit. The 15th annual fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation raises public awareness and gives cancer survivors and relatives of those who have died from cancer a chance to share their experiences.

In 1982 the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was founded by Nancy Brinker as a way to honor her sister, who died of the disease at age 36. The registration fees, donations and race sponsorships raise funds for the fight against the disease. Last year a record 30,000 people participated in Metro Detroit and raised more than $1 million. Official totals for this year were not immediately available, but organizers believe more than 25,000 people participated. Similar events are held nationwide. Since donors can give money through July, a tally was not available today, organizers said.

Judy Pickett was named the top cancer survivor runner in the race. This was her 122nd such race today and the California resident has ran with 2 million people in Susan G. Komen races across the nation.