The newly incorporated and independent Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio has been busy this past year. The organization worked hard to educate the women of Ohio about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Last June, the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio held a “tasty” educational event featuring survivor Dr. Carol Clinton. Over a glass of wine, Dr. Clinton informed attendees about her life after chemotherapy. In addition, the organization’s Education and Awareness Committee participated in health fairs throughout the central Ohio area in an effort to inform women all over the state about the importance of knowing their bodies and being aware of symptoms unusual to them.
The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio was on a mission to paint the town teal during the month of September – and that, they did! The LeVeque Tower in Columbus was lit up in Teal – an impressive way to kick off Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Additionally, the organization held a press conference at the Atrium of the State House hosted by Ohio state legislators – attracting the attention of local news stations. The big event, however, was the Strides for Hope 5K walk/run. Despite the rain, over 1,500 survivors, family members, friends and volunteers came out for a day of celebration. The fundraising event was able to raise over $110,000 to continue to support ovarian cancer awareness efforts.
The organization continues to get involved with young women in the Ohio community. Presentations about ovarian cancer educated the women of the Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Tau and Omega Tau sororities. The message to these young women was the importance of learning what is normal for their bodies because they are their own best advocates. Reaching out to the younger population is imperative to the cause and will be helpful in diagnosing the disease earlier should they ever be faced with ovarian cancer. This could potentially even save the lives of some of these young women, so thank you, Ohio. An even younger population, the 4th graders at Barrington Elementary, joined the fight against ovarian cancer by staging their own Beat Michigan, Beat Cancer 5K walk/run. They raised over $22,000 for the James Cancer Center’s ovarian cancer research efforts. The things kids can do these days!
As for future plans, this coming March, the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio plans to hold their Spring into Hope Gala. Additionally, the organization is partnering with local legislators at the state level to push for hearings on HB136, which would mandate insurance companies to cover screenings such as CA125 tests and scans for women who are at a higher risk for ovarian cancer. They are also working with a number of cancer groups to get bills to the Ohio House and Senate that would impact on the cancer community.
We can’t say thank you enough to our friends at the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio. As you enter into your 2010 year, know that the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is rooting for you to accomplish great things. You said it yourself, the sky’s the limit!
For more information on the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio, visit www.ovariancanceroh.org or contact Chris Gillespie, President, at President@ovariancanceroh.org.
