Larry Ward from Stevensville, MI, long-term manufacturing engineerer, husband and falther of grown children, found a new passion - mountain climbing. Not Midwestern sized mountains but the ones in the big leagues, like Mt. Ranier. Larry and his sons trained, prepared and accomplished their goal - and Larry was hooked.  

Next Larry had to achieve new heights and in 2013, he prepared to climb the 20.320 feet of Mt. Denali. In the meantime, while Larry was training, six of this close friends were affected by cancer. So the climb to Mt. Denali become a mission for Larry - to honor his friends and raise funds to fight cancer. Larry is still climbing and will keep climbing in each of the 50 states. At the summitt, Larry will keep shouting the names of those affected by cancer - now over 100 names at Gannett Peak in Wyoming. After all the struggles and pain, you make it to the top of your mountain.

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.

Seasons of Life

If you can stand to look out of the window, the fresh morning’s walk in May and the teal days of September will seem like a lifetime ago.  The months have been packed with many chances to spread the word of ovarian cancer symptom awareness and Mother Nature has not stopped Team Chasen A Cure.

Health Fairs: The fall began with community sponsored health fairs giving neighbors the opportunity to be proactive and protect their good health through the winter. These fairs are a wonderful chance to introduce NOCC and the topic of ovarian cancer, particularly to older women who, although at the age of greatest risk of diagnosis, have put the importance of their gynecological health behind them. 

Women’s Events: Expos such as the Women’s Empowerment Workshop and Suburban Women’s Total Health and Beauty Event focus on valuable issues from well-being and personal fulfillment to safety. Attendees are relaxed, open to learning about ovarian cancer and eager to share personal stories.

Corporate Events: Companies that promote healthy lifestyles for their employees, including American Airlines, CTA and Midmark have opened their conference rooms, lunchrooms and hallways to NOCC speakers. The chance to speak to both men and women, make them aware of the important of symptom awareness for early diagnosis and provide an opportunity to support NOCC’s mission to care for survivors and their families, gives credence to the value of a healthy culture. Ask for the chance to be heard, and doors will be opened.

Every Day Spaces: With teal toes stuffed in multiple pairs of socks and shoved into boots, wear your teal on your lapel and open up the discussion. Teal ribbons can start a conversation of “Why Teal?” especially following “pink-tober”.  With a supply of NOCC Symptom Awareness cards available to hand out, your circle of influence will increase with each encounter.

Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance: The dates on the calendar continue to fill with occasions to reach out and inform. There are upcoming events at schools, churches, craft expos, career fairs and even hockey games.

2013 Team Chasen A Cure

The culmination for spring is the 17^th NOCC Walk/Run on May 3rd. Now is the time to build teams, to show support for the survivors, and join together as one loud teal crowd to Break the Silence. The NOCC Walk/Run has grown every year in participants and sponsorships. Come join Team Chasen A Cure as we persevere to set new records in 2014.

A Caring Community

Thanks to all who attended the Chamber Health Fair at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. There are moments of satisfaction, when someone learns a new fact about ovarian cancer or takes literature to pass on to a concerned friend. We are making stride in spreading awareness and educating in our sphere of influence.

Saturday's fair also brought time to share with members of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Initiative who are dedicated to complementary health approaches to support the overall health of cancer patients. Licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist Lindy Camardella of Advanced Health Institute partners with cancer patients to ease treatments side effects. As a counselor for cancer patients, Paul Vander Sande, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor of Lighthouse Emotional Wellness Center assists in the emotional journey from diagnosis through treatment and redefining life as a cancer survivor. We are grateful to the caring hands of the community who reach out to support the physical and emotional well being of every cancer warrior in their fight.

Turn The Page

September was filled with fabulous awareness activities - from the beautiful teal lights, waters flowing teal, fun walks with furry friends and wellness lunches to share symptom awareness. As we turn the page to a new month, ovarian cancer symptom awareness events don’t have to come to an end. 

The turning of teal to pink is marked by Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer week.  The result of the efforts of FORCE, the goal of HBOC week is to raise awareness about hereditary cancer. Knowing your family history is vital to understanding your level of risk. Removing the stigma of cancer diagnosis and open discussion of family history – among both men and women – be it ovarian, breast, colon or prostate cancer – is essential for empowering your health.

There are small steps in our circle of influence that help promote ovarian cancer awareness. Consider adding the NOCC Cancer Quiz to your email signature or Facebook page. Although sandal season may be coming to a close, have a supply of Teal Toes cards available to leave with your tip at your next manicure or latte. Keep those hooks and needles moving for Teal Hat Project and share your good wishes with a survivor.

Always ready to take the opportunity to educate, Team Chasen A Cure will be at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Chamber Health Fair on Saturday, October 5^th. Continually speaking on symptoms, self-awareness and health advocacy is an effort to make TEAL as recognizable as pink. Don't let the turn of the calendar page keep you from supporting ovarian cancer warriors in their daily fight

The Power of 1000 Balloons

September 14th could not have been a more picture perfect day for the 2013 OCSA Annual Walk for the Goose. Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness’ Veterinary Outreach Program (VOP) drew pet lovers with 4-legged friends to join together on the 3 mile walk on the Great Western Trail.

Yummy Treats and a Celebratory Teal Bone from Wiggle Waggles

Staff from Elmhurst Animal Hospital



Dr. Cindy Charlier of Fox Valley Veterinary Dentistry performed complimentary dental exams



There was fun to be shared with sponsor tents, a raffle and complimentary pet dental exams. This was also a poignant occasion for many, including the family and friends of late Susan Roman, a co-founder of OCSA.

 

At ISVMA convention in November of 2012, Dr. Julian Schink began the kick off of VOP by asking the audience for a show of hands of those whose lives had been touched by ovarian cancer. The number who raised their hands startled Dr. Kurt Klepitsch of Gateway Veterinary Hospital of St. Charles, IL. He had no personal connection and related ovarian cancer only with Gilda Radner. It was not long before, Dr. Klepitsch had to include himself in that select group as his young niece Katelyn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Last month, Kate lost her battle with ovarian cancer at age 20. Dr. Klepitsch spoke of his daughter’s dream before the balloon release at her cousin Kate’s funeral service – a dream of one balloon left afloat busting open releasing 1000 new balloons. Each opportunity to spread the signs of ovarian cancer is a chance to be one of those thousand balloons, filling the sky with TEAL for those you love, and for Susan and Kate.

Friday Night Teal Lights

Friday nights in the fall mean high school football. Two Toledo-area high school teams, the Woodmore Wildcats and Port Clinton Redskins, kicked off the season opener last Friday night sporting teal socks as part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Night in memory of Carole Schultz and Norma Brossia. Organized by their families, the night was a tribute to the women, who had been supportive to their grandchildren on the field and in the band, as well as an opportunity to educate the community and raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio.

Carole Schultz's diagnosis was at stage 4 with metastasis on her lung and colon. Ovarian cancer would have been off her radar, as Schultz had her ovaries removed at age 29. Shed ovarian cells migrate to the peritoneum, where they remain. An oophorectomy can dramatically reduce but not completely negate the risk of ovarian cancer in those remaining cells.

Ovarian cancer affects not only women, but also the families that love them. The efforts of Donna Sandwisch, Holly Berry and Gerri and Mike Brossia demonstrate that we can educate in our own sphere of influence, and that the message will carry beyond our corner of the map.

Not Giving In

A cancer diagnosis is assuredly a life-changing experience, but what happens when your receive that diagnosis when your life has just begun? When you are 14 years old and even plans for college seem a lifetime away? For Baltimore's, Mattie Bayne, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer at age 14 was a shock, but she learned to take control and not be defined by cancer.

"I couldn’t control cancer, but I could control how I faced the situation."

Mattie's story is too familiar in ovarian cancer circles - visits to doctor after doctor without getting any answers. Diagnosed with a rare Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor which presents itself in younger women, Mattie had to undergo surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy. With her last rounds of chemo completed in 2011, she is living the months in remission until she can be declared as cancer-free. She is more than passing the time.

She is on the board of directors of Baltimore Women's Classic, raising money and volunteering to help fight gynecological cancers. She is the outside hitter on the St. Paul's School for Girls volleyball team. She wasn't ready to give in.

That is what you will find when you are around ovarian cancer survivors. Women who want waste efforts on self-pity or what they can't control. Women who will put their strength and fighting spirit into living with grace - not ready to give in.

Because We REALLY Care

Thanks to everyone at Midmark Dayton Center who made it possible for Chasen A Cure to host a Ovarian Cancer Awareness Lunch and Learn presentation. The attendees were engaged and their feedback was positive. Your graciousness and hospitality fulfilled the mission to make a positive difference in every life we touch.

To all the Teal Warriors are looking for new ways to reach out, don't be afraid to ask to be the voice for ovarian cancer awareness. Your passion will show through. Never be concerned that your audience is too small. You will be speaking to someone who needs to hear. The NOCC Imagine the Impact video brought the message home that each of us can make a difference. Because we REALLY Care.

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.

Decoding Annie Parker

I was thrilled to be at the Chicago screening of Decoding Annie Parker on July 25th. 

Karen Kramer, Marketing VP of FORCE likened the evening to prom night with all the excitement and anticipation. Photos on the red carpet, a packed theater of an appreciative audience, and standing ovations for the director, Steve Bernstein, and Annie Parker, made it a memorable evening. Here are a few of my take-aways from the screening:

Stand with Your Teal Sisters - This evening called for the full teal wardrobe. Sidling up to two sisters in teal, I was pleased to meet Sandy Cord and Karen Young of NOCC. It was great to hear first-hand of the plans for Teal Lights Celebration on September 20th and exchange ideas about the 2014 Walk to Break the Silence. Thanks Sandy and Karen for letting me share the evening with you.

Hollywood has Heart -  It was wonderful to hear that actresses Helen Hunt and Samantha Morton were so moved by Steven Bernstein's mission behind the film that they chose to take no salary. Steven spoke of the struggles of independent film making and the ups and downs of cash flow. But even in the lean times, the crew remained committed to completing the project.

Steve Bernstein shares at the struggles in independent film making at the post screening panel discussion.

What Annie Didn't Know - Annie Parker was overwhelmed with anxiety over prevalence of breast cancer in her family, as she watched her mother, cousin and sister suffer and die. She became immersed in medical textbooks to the point of obsession.  Sympathetic medical professionals befriended her. But ovarian cancer was not on her radar. Eight years after her first cancer diagnosis, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. And the journey begins again. Some of the most heartbreaking scenes of the movie are of Annie's struggle through the pain and wretched side effects of chemo. The battle was not only physical but also emotional, as Annie will refuses to let cancer define her.  Before the BRCA discovery by Mary-Claire King, risk reduction did not exist and the Annie Parker of 1988 did not even consider a choice of a prophylactic oophorectomy.

Families have Resources -  Decoding Annie Parker is not a documentary. The struggles between Annie and her husband are not necessarily factual and could have  been dramatized for the screen. In the post film discussion, Parker reassured that there are resources available for cancer patients and their families. There is help available. Do not to project the hurt and infidelity portrayed on the screen into your own story.

There is More to the Story -  There are more members to Annie's family tree - a son, brother, nieces and  nephews. Each will make a personal, private decision regarding genetic testing. Because of the perseverance of Mary-Claire King and her team, along with GINA, which prevents discrimination on health care coverage due to genetic predisposition, they will make an informed choice.

You've Got to Believe in Something -  Working under a clock that ticked off the diagnosis of breast cancer every twelve minutes, Mary-Claire King believed that this was not random and persevered to find the key.  Annie's belief in her own suspicions, despite what the man in the white coat and stethoscope told her. Despite how cancer ravaged her body, it could not squelch her spirit. She was driven with an obsessive desire to find answers. Not in a selfish, sorrowful "why me" melancholy, but with pluck and determination that there are truths. Truths that allow you to open the door and not live in fear about what is on the other side.

We Are All Connected - Like a String of Pearls - A string of pearls serves as a motif -  Annie wears her mother's strand on special occasions; to celebrate her NED and to meet Dr. King. Dr. King wears a strand at her meeting to discuss research funding. We are strung together -  genetically - mother to aunt to sister. Miles apart, King and Parker were connected - both working towards the same goal. Although Dr. King may have appeared aloof, her praise of Parker demonstrated that she did not lose her connection to every woman diagnosed with cancer.

Part of my strand of pearls - my beautiful Mother

Leverage Social Media - The battle cry of millennial marketing and Steve Bernstein is out to market his movie. With the support of the sold out gala events, the buzz on social media and a high ranking on IMDB, there will be a chance that Decoding Annie Parker will have commercial release in November. Just as Kern spoke of increased exposure since Angelina Jolie's May 14th op-ed in the NY Times, the opportunity for commercial release brings a better opportunity to educate and spread the word. Every opportunity to educate and every new outlet is appreciated.

Samantha Morton's portrayal of cancer warrior Annie Parker was haunting and most worthy of awards. Decoding Annie Parker is a true portrait of strength, survivor-ship and a reminder that each one of us has a role in the battle.