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!

Cancer Warriors - The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry

There are some clubs you prefer not to be a member of. But membership can have its privilege - the privilege to give back as with the The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

 Established in 1981 by Dr. M. Steven Piver, the registry collects data, detailed history and pathological samples from families with two or more cases of ovarian cancer. This data is used for research to identify genes and characterize risk factors with the goal of finding better tests for detection and screening and ultimately - prevention of this deadly disease.

Searching for answers after his wife's Gilda Radner's death, Gene Wilder, began corresponding with  Dr. Piver. In 1990, the registry was named after Gilda, who died from ovarian cancer at age 43. Gilda's story is the story of so many women and the "disease that whispers" - symptoms of fatigue, bloating and cramping - doctors who for ten months told her she was nervous and emotional - who did not ask about her family history - including her grandmother, cousin and aunt, who all died of ovarian cancer.

For families who have seen sisters, aunts, mothers and cousins struggle and fight ovarian cancer, what better way is there to honor them then to give of yourself right in the hands of researchers who are going to answer the questions - why and how can we benefit the next generation?