From Near and Far – Teal News

There is plenty of Teal News to share from both near and far.

Close to home and just in time for Women’s History Month, Chasen A Cure will be presenting information on ovarian cancer symptom awareness as part of The Healthy Woman Through the Ages at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on Thursday, March 21^st at 7:30 pm. Bodily self awareness, symptom tracking and the crucial role they play in early diagnosis and survival will be the focus.  Join us for this educational event.

The donations are coming in for the NOCC Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer on Saturday, May 4^th. This year’s event has expanded from a 3 mile walk to include a 5k run. NOCC Illinois has done a fabulous job securing new sponsors including the MSB Hope Foundation which honors of fellow Res Alumnae Mary Guerrirri Bertolini.

Support Team Chasen A Cure at this year's NOCC Walk!

A bit further from home, in a place known as “down under”, it was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day and of significant progress towards a blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer was in the news. The team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, led by Dr Goli Samimi, has identified specific biological changes that occur in the DNA. Targeted towards high-risk women, this test could be a significant breakthrough towards early diagnosis, which could lead to better survival rates. I was “tickled teal” to see that Dee of Woman of Teal was able to conduct an interview with Dr Samimi. Impressive that Dr. Samimi took the time to respond and personally share her insights.

Exploring down under, I uncovered research by Ovarian Cancer Australia reported that three out of five women incorrectly believe that ovarian cancer is detected by a pap smear and over half believe that the HPV vaccine protects against ovarian cancer. The battle for education is worldwide. The OCA site has a link to a spiffy iPhone app called KISS (Know the Important Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer) and MAKEUP – a symptom diary and makeup tips all in one.

Closer to home, the importance of seeking effective, experienced care as imperative to survival was highlighted in Dr. Robert Bristow’s presentation of his abstract NCCN treatment guidelines for ovarian cancer: A population-based validation study of structural and process quality measures stressing the importance of seeking out physicians and facilities with specific experience in ovarian cancer at the 2013 SGO conference in Los Angeles. This reinforces the importance of the patient and their family as the best advocate for quality care. It all begins with education; so that you can speak confidently to your physicians about your concerns. Never hesitate to ask for fear of offending the doctor. Seek out a quality medical team which is experienced in multidisciplinary cancer treatment methods. Where do you go?? The Foundation for Women’s Cancer’s new website is a great place to start for news, events and a search function for gynecological oncologists.

A review of the abstracts presented at the SGO Conference is fascinating reading and casts hope for the future. Chasen A Cure favorite Cancer Warrior, Dr. David G. Mutch collaborated with Dr. Matthew Powell and the team from Wash U. on several abstracts. There is hope for developments in patient care, diagnosis, and prevention from near and far.

Always Remembered, Forever Loved

Thanks to the beautiful photography of Brandi Brown, you can enjoy the wonderful day that was the 2012 FamiliesROC 5K/1 mile race.
 As part as one of the ongoing events to raise funding for research at the Siteman Cancer Center for early detection testing, this event celebrates survivors and honors the memories of victims of Ovarian Cancer. There are so many stories told in the photos of the day  -  in the smiles of the survivors, the team names and signs that honor the memory of moms and nanas, sisters and girlfriends, in the hugs for finishers. Each story has a common theme - for the women we will always remember and forever love, step by step, we will keep striving to do what ever we can to fight this devastating disease.

Melanie - Courageous Survivor Copyright Brandi Brown

Honoring Survivors Copyright Brandi Brown

Dr David Mutch - Cancer Warrior Copyright Brandi Brown

Always Remembered, Forever Loved Copyright Brandi Brown

Want to make a difference?

Team Chasen A Cure 2011

Dr David Mutch receiving the 2011 donations

Want to make a difference?  FamiliesROC directly supports Ovarian Cancer patients, survivors and  in the St. Louis area by raising research funds for the Sitemann Cancer Center. What is a better than personally presenting your gift to the researchers who are working to find a cure for someone you love? Be part of Team Chasen A Cure right here: http://www.active.com/donate/rocstar2012/chasenacure.

Get Ready for Teal Time

It is time to get ready for September - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Time to break out the Teal - from head to toe across the country!

Wear Teal Day for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is Friday, September 7th. Help spread the word by wearing teal -  and posting your picture on their Facebook page.

I can't wait to receive my Teal Toes symptoms cards - once you get the conversation started, have the symptom cards handy to pass on.

The Chicago skyline will glow with teal on September 21st for the NOCC Teal Lights Celebration and Fundraiser.

They will Turn the Canal Teal in Indianapolis at a free event on September 27th.

Are you down under? Join the 100 Women Walk from Docklands to Donvale in Australia on September 8th. This walk is named for the 100 women who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer every month.

Join the Teal Magnolia's for their Ladies Only Golf Tournament in Tallahassee, FL on September 27th.

How about a climb for life? Hike the Wasatch Mountains in Utah while raising funds for ovarian cancer research and awareness September 14-16th. I'm sure this is a very powerful event for the survivors.

September 7th will be Ovarian Cancer Awareness Night when the St. Louis Cardinals play the Milwaukee Brewers.  I hope there will be lots of teal along with the Cardinal red in the stands.

Also in the St. Louis area, September 23rd will be the Families Run for Ovarian Cancer 5K/Walk in Forest Park. This fund raiser for ovarian caner research at the Siteman Cancer Center has raised $125,000 in the last 5 years and has a goal of $75,000.00 for 2012. We want to see Dr. David Mutch with a BIG donation check this year!

So what is the point of all this Teal? - it is to start the conversation with your co-worker, a neighbor or your plumber. There is still much work to be done to put this silent killer to rest.

Cancer Warrior - Dr Barbara Buttin

The sign is ready and the balloons are here. Just get the walking shoes on and Team Chasen is ready for the Walk to Break the Silence. The donations are close to the $300,000 mark - walk day contributions will make a big difference.
I would like to share the story of one of my favorite cancer warriors - Dr. Barbara Buttin. Dr. Buttin, a former resident of Dr. David Mutch at Washington University School of Medicine, was understanding to my story of Hereditary Ovarian Cancer. Dr. Buttin has been tasked with a new mission - to begin the Center of Excellence in Gynecological Oncology in Winfield, IL. Although Dr Buttin is no longer in the classroom, she is still teaching. She is educating the public and medical community as she speaks on Hereditary & Family susceptibility of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer. She tells me there is so much more work to do. That is why we cannot stop walking.

Dr David Mutch - Ovarian Cancer Warrior

The donations are coming in strong for the NOCC Walk to Break the Silence - over $100,000 strong and there is still plenty of time to give a donation.

One of the warriors in the fight against ovarian cancer is Dr. David Mutch of Washington University Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Dr. Mutch is outstanding physician and researcher - possessing the  qualities everyone seeks in their doctor - someone who values the relationship he has with his patients and who is tireless in his efforts towards their care. At the 2011 Survive and Thrive course at Feinberg School of Medicine, I saw first hand the respect that Dr. Mutch has among his peers. Whenever I mentioned Dr. Mutch's name, there was a resounding acknowledgment from colleagues from Northwestern to Vanderbilt University as his former residents took the time to mention to me that they had been under his guidance.

Dr David Mutch receives a donation for the Washington U Research Group for Ovarian Cancer at the 2011 Families Run for Ovarian Cancer in St. Louis, MO. Photo credit: Cheryl Hartson Johnson

Having Dr. Mutch in the battle gives confidence and hope to survivors for a bright and long future.