A Personal Affair

We are within a week of the NOCC Walk to Break the Silence. Stacey Baca of ABC 7 News will once again host the event along with her sister, ten year ovarian cancer survivor, Lynn Baca. Stacey's interview with ovarian cancer survivors, Rachel Hoyt and Liz Cory, reinforces that it is essential to  know your body, reach out for medical attention early, and seek out a gynecological oncologist if needed.

With new sponsors, and live music, the day is billed as a family event.  Cancer can come across to some as a topic to avoided under the cloak of fear and death. The NOCC Walk is a celebratory time of hope and promises for a bright future, as we encourage and honor survivors. We are grateful to every Team Chasen A Cure sponsor, for they are not just making a donation to a organization, but directly supporting us as we spread the symptom awareness message. NOCC symptom awareness reminder cards were available at the It's Everything for Women event in Edwardsville, IL on April 25th. Melanie and Cheryl were able to openly and personally share information and answer questions, helping women comfortably discuss their health. Ovarian cancer does not define Melanie as a person. She passes out Teal Toes cards, hangs posters at local businesses, participates in events, while demonstrating that being a survivor is about being fearless and living every day.

Photo credit: Cheryl Hartson Johnson

There will be teams next week who will be walking in memory of a mom, grandma or sister, carrying a banner with photos of happy times. In the faces of the team, you can recognize the same shape of the face or the crooked smile. Little ones, who will walk or be pushed in strollers, may have no memories of those lost less for the stories and memories shared. There are poignant moments in the ABC 7 video of photos of Lynn and Rachel; surrounded by family and friends, in happy times and supporting them during their struggles.  This is a personal affair for us all. 

Memory Wall at FamiliesROC Copyright Brandi Brown

What a wonderful day at the NOCC 2012 Walk! Fog and wind did not dampen the spirits of over 2000 gathered for the largest walk for ovarian cancer in the nation. As promised, Melanie was front and center in the Survivor's photos in her St. Louis Cardinal's cap. Thanks to Team members Michael, and 30 year cancer warrior, Richard. Go Team Chasen A Cure!

Break The Silence

It's been a big week for Team Chasen A Cure and the NOCC Walk to Break the Silence. The donations are over $200,000 and there is still a week to go. Thanks to friends, family and neighbors who contributed this week. Your support is amazing and we will be thinking of all of you every step of the way.

Melanie and Cheryl did a wonderful job of spreading the word and educating women at the It's Everything for Women event this past Thursday night. Thanks to NOCC Illinois for their contribution of bracelets, handouts and symptom cards. The ladies' experiences with visitors to their table showed that there is much work ahead of us. The misconceptions about Ovarian Cancer are rampant; another reason why it has received the tag like "the cancer the whispers". Perhaps it is as simply as the old real estate adage - "location, location, location." With your gynecological organs hidden from view and silenced with aging; too many women think that they are safely protected by the perhaps at best annual Pap smear. The cause marches on to Break the Silence.

It's Everything for Women

In the St. Louis Metro Area - check out It's Everything for Women on Thursday, April 26th from 5 to 9 at the G.C. Crystal Garden. It is a free event accepting donations for the American Cancer Society. Hosting a table for Ovarian Cancer Awareness will be Melanie and Cheryl with information on the NOCC 2011 Walk to Break the Silence as well as symptom awareness cards and treats for stopping by. Fight like a Girl and spread the word!

Join Team Chasen A Cure

It's time to join Team Chasen A Cure at the 2012 Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer.

Last year's walk was a wonderful outpouring of strength for women and their families whose lives have been affected by Ovarian Cancer. It was humbling to receive your support - to walk among the Survivors who celebrate life transformed; families who, like myself, honor the memories of those beloved - mothers, aunts, sisters and daughters. It was a day of celebration and song; when the clouds parted and sunshine blessed the crowd. But 2012 will be special because this year, we walk as a team - Melanie and I walk together - and you are welcome to join us.

Become part of Team Chasen A Cure For Ovarian Cancer and join us on May 5th at Diversey Harbor. Please support us with a donation to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in honor of Team Chasen A Cure at nocc.kintera.org/illinois/ChasenACure. Please support us by spreading the word so that every woman is aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer because there is no early detection test. Awareness is the answer to saving lives. Keep watching here for more news.