Be Bold and Be TEAL

It was on a brisk May morning that a record-breaking Team Chasen A Cure took to streets around Cellular Field for the 2014 NOCC Walk to Break the Silence.  Record-breaking it was, with the largest number of team members raising the greatest number of donations and trekking on the longest distance. But coming to the corner of 35^th Street did not mean the end to promoting ovarian cancer awareness. 

2014 Team Chasen A Cure

Awareness opportunities come in as many styles as you can imagine. Craft shows, golf outings, farmers’ markets, lectures, health fairs for kids and seniors – any chance to meet and talk to people – women and men – young and old – is an occasion to spread the word. Be bold and be seen in all your teal. The chance to plant the seed of familiarity to the right person who will remember the symptoms, to give someone the courage to ask the right question, “Could it be my ovaries?”

There is plenty of fear out there and folks who prefer the view of the inside of the beach.

 But the question “Is a Pap smear a test for ovarian cancer?” is enough to turn heads and get people to thinking. You don’t know what you don’t know until you know it. Until your knowledge base is challenged and your assumptions are knocked down. Be in the know.

Yes, it’s mid-September and therefore midway through Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.  Has your world been turned teal yet??? It is uplifting to check out the newsfeeds and watch ovarian cancer awareness spread across the country from ribbons on trees and teal colored waters in the fountain to Teal Toes on the firefighters! There is still plenty of time in the month to run towards the finish line.

The calendar page will turn as well as the leaves to their autumn splendor of orange, red and gold – and oh, yes, pink. But there will not be any slow down in the events. There will be nights to Empower Women and a chance to strike up a one-on-one conversation around the teal ribbon on your coat. For our sisters, their battle is fought every day.  Be bold and be teal, every month of the year.

Another Great September

We are ready to start another September filled with great events for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The variety of opportunities and outlets to spread the word are phenomenally large – teal lightings from the Pacific Northwest to Niagara Falls and locations in between - to as tiny as our toes.

Keep the calendar open for these upcoming events:

September 14^th – The Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Walk for the Goose 5K at the Great Western Trail in St. Charles, IL. Friendly dogs are invited to attend and can be sporting the OCSA teal leash as part of OCSA’s Veterinary Outreach Program.

September 20^th –The culminating NOCC Illinois Teal Lights Celebration at VenueOne in Chicago, IL. From ads on buses and subways, to the teal skyline, Chicago will be ready to answer "Why Teal?"

September 22^nd – This year’s FamiliesROC 5K for St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness will be held in downtown St. Louis, MO. In their 7^th year, this event has moved to a larger venue that should bring additional exposure, and has a new goal of $75,000.00. Team Chasen A Cure is strong and ready for the race.

Team Chasen A Cure ready to rock at the 2012 FamiliesROC.

September 30^th – The OCSA Golf Outing for the Veterinary Outreach Program. The event is hosted by OSCA board members Dr. Cindy Charlier DVM and Dr. Kurt Klepitsch DVM, and will be held at the Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills, IL. The day will include golf, dining and a silent auction. The Veterinary Outreach Program promotes ovarian cancer symptom awareness on two levels – to both the veterinary professional and to clients of the veterinary clinic. Every life that we touch can be an opportunity to spread the word. Team Chasen A Cure is very pleased that Midmark Animal Health chose to support the cause by becoming a silent auction donor. 

This is just a small sample of the events that will be held to raise funds and promote awareness for ovarian cancer. We can continue to make a difference -  by opening up the conversation about our fun teal wardrobe,  sharing symptom awareness bookmarks or forwarding a link on social media to a friend. Ovarian cancer awareness day is everyday for survivors. Let’s support our teal team at every opportunity.

New Year, New Hope

The New Year means a fresh start and new plans for Ovarian Cancer awareness events.

Some of the best news comes from Johns Hopkins University and the publication of test results of a newly developed PapGene test which could detect three gynecological cancers - cervical ovarian and endometrial cancers. By classifying gene mutations, samples were able to identify a fraction 9 of the 22 patients with Ovarian Cancer– a 41% accuracy rating of the ovarian cancer mutations. The PapGene test is the first step, as research will continue to work to making the test more sensitive to Ovarian Cancer gene mutations. Although improvements need to be made before applying this test in a routine clinical manner, it represents a promising step toward a broadly applicable screening methodology for the early detection of gynecologic malignancies.

A definite screening test for ovarian cancer could make a huge difference in early stage detection, earlier, gene-specific treatment protocol and ultimately more survivors. Wonderful news of hope for all in the Teal Tribe.

The calendar is filling with new events for promoting Ovarian Cancer awareness in 2013. March 21st, Chasen A Cure for Ovarian Cancer will be a presenter at a women’s heath event at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. We are pleased to continue to have the opportunity to spread awareness in the local community, dispel myths and share Ovarian Cancer resources. Details to follow.

Already looking forward to this years NOCC walk in early May, Team Chasen A Cure will be decked out in team sweatshirts. Watch the NOCC Illinois Facebook page for breaking details.

Team Chasen A Cure Patriarch ready for the NOCC Walk to Break the Silence.

There will be more events throughout the year - from the Health Fair to the Families ROC Walk. Every day in the year is a chance to reach out to spread the word and look for new opportunities. We are on a road we did not choose. But we are on it for a reason, and the strength will be given to keep moving forward.

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

An All Teal Weekend

Chicago in Teal for the NOCC Teal Lights Celebration. Photo credit: Sarah Jones Design

It was a full weekend for Ovarian Cancer Awareness - much celebrating of life and spreading the word.

NOCC Chapter Coordinator Karen Young, ABC 7 Stacy Baca, Miss Illinois USA, Ashley Hooks, NOCC Chapter Manager, Jennifer Sloan. Photo credit: Sarah Jones Design

Friday, Sept 21st Chicago was bathed in teal lights for the NOCC Teal Lights Celebration and Fundraiser. ABC's Stacy Baca was the emcee for the evening which featured keynote speaker Miss Illinois USA, Ashley Hooks. As a daughter of a recently diagnosed ovarian cancer patient, Miss Hooks has added ovarian cancer awareness to her platform for her reign. “For my mom's sake and for the sake of all women, we all can contribute to the cause by educating ourselves and our loved ones on how to be more proactive with our gynecological health, so that we live longer, fuller and healthier lives.", shared Miss Hooks. As Ashley travels throughout her reign, she will touch many lives and be an effective spokesperson for awareness.

Know Your Body Raffle Prize

Chasen A Cure at the Health in the Heights

Health in the Heights was held Saturday, Sept 22nd at the Arlington Height Memorial Library. The Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Committee welcomed  Chasen A Cure for Ovarian Cancer to spread the word on ovarian cancer and to Know Your Body. Exchanging  stories with those who's lives had been touched by ovarian cancer along with sharing facts with those who needed to be In the Know, made it a worthwhile event for Ovarian Cancer month.  Thanks to NOCC, the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry and Teal Toes for all of the awareness takeaway information as well as sponsor Visual Enterprise Systems, Inc.

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Team Chasen A Cure Photo credit: Cheryl Harston Johnson

Team Chasen A Cure Photo credit: Cheryl Harston Johnson

 
The FamiliesROC Walk was held on a beautiful Sunday, Sept 23 and it was a beautiful showing by Team Chasen A Cure. A fabulous gathering of survivors and families, once again raised research funds for the Siteman Cancer Center.

All of these wonderful events and there is still more time to spread the word. Keep wearing your teal!

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.