The 12th Annual Conference of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
A Celebration of Life – One Voice for Thousands of Women
By Annette Leal Mattern
Indeed it was a celebration – as well as an empowering and invigorating experience for all who attended. An unprecedented number of survivors, caregivers and health professionals gathered in Washington, DC to learn, to support, and to strengthen the ovarian cancer movement. Although from every walk of life and sector of society, there seemed to be one voice, one message: The time has come to stop the needless loss of women’s lives to ovarian cancer.
I met a young woman, age twenty-something, who was diagnosed at age 17 and is now struggling to imagine the rest of her life. Another, a newly diagnosed widow, aged 69, wondered how she would keep working her real estate business while continuing treatment. Families made many sacrifices to be here supporting their mother, wife, daughter – or to honor a woman whose life was cut short by the disease.
The emphasis on the conference this year was on hearing the individual voices of survivors. CEO Dr. Karen Orloff Kaplan personally welcomed many of the attendees in private sessions to hear each one’s concerns and honor each one’s journey. The stories constructed a mosaic, not of cancer, but of life . . . of women embracing life in spite of their condition, living to make their lives purposeful.
The opening ceremony was powerful in its sign of solidarity behind The Movement. Elizabeth Howard, CEO of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and David Barley, acting CEO of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition shared the stage with Dr. Kaplan. Shoulder to shoulder, they symbolized the power of our community.
The program presentations gave in-depth insights into the state of ovarian cancer, from research to coping skills to emerging therapeutics. The roster: The gold standard of gynecologic oncology. Although we all hoped for a major (or minor) announcement of some exciting new development in research, ultimately we want to know the truth. This conference was about the truth.
A particularly poignant part of the program was the Remembrance Ceremony. This program, literally written by the community, presents original works of prose and poetry. The writings spoke to the heart of the conference, celebrating the lives of women with ovarian cancer. The program ended with a song written and performed by Consuelo Costin, in memory of her mother who was lost to the disease.
The closing speaker, Master Chef Laurey Masterton, held the audience entranced by retracing her incredible cross-country bike ride, which she did to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Her undying spirit and sense of conviction brought the audience to its feet with a resounding ovation for this remarkable survivor.
Beyond the education and inspiration that we experienced, there was a renewed sense of engagement behind the national movement to conquer ovarian cancer. About a third extended their stay to take up the legislative agenda that will help save women’s lives. Some still in treatment, strong only in spirit, the group exercised their rights as Americans, walking the halls of Congress to speak to our elected officials about our concerns. Articulate, informed and passionate, the advocates pleaded for federal support of programs that, although too late to benefit most of the women in the delegations, will save the lives of women in the future. It was a selfless, generous, fervent day in history.
I’ve been to half a dozen conferences of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. This was by far the best. It represents, not only a commitment by the organization to keep the dream of a cure alive, but for one moment to bring the community to one place, at one time . . . with one voice.
