Chicagoans to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer
It’s not an easy subject to discuss. I think the first time I heard about ovarian cancer was when Gilda Radner died of the disease in 1989 at the age of 42; her death raised awareness of the disease and the need for better ways to detect and treat it.
Six years later, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition was founded to raise awareness of ovarian cancer through its chapter network and to provide education, support and hope for women with ovarian cancer, their families, and their caregivers in communities across the country.
According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, among women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death, and approximately 1 out of every 58 women will develop ovarian cancer in her lifetime.
The Illinois Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has worked hard to help women and families across Chicagoland and beyond through support groups and other resources. On Saturday, May 2, 2009, the chapter will hold its 12th annual “Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer” 3-mile walk. Last year, the Illinois Chapter raised over $235,000 and had over 130 survivors of ovarian cancer participate. Here are the details for this year’s event:
What: 12th Annual “Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer” 3-Mile Walk
When: Saturday, May 2, 2009, 9 AM
Where: Chicago Park District Grove 13, North Lakeshore Dr. & Wellington, Chicago
Cost: Adults – $30; Children 12 and under – $15; Children in strollers – Free
Other: All participants who pay the registration fee will receive a walk t-shirt and goody bag. Other activities include a survivor tent, a group photo of survivors, a health fair, food, and beverages.
For More Information: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – Illinois Chapter, 630-769-1664, il.nocc@ovarian.org
If you have participated in a walk to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer, please tell us about it! And thank you for walking for such an important cause. Post a comment to this blog, or start a new discussion in the forum.
The likelihood that breast and/or ovarian cancer is associated with BRCA1 or BRCA2 is highest in families with a history of multiple cases of breast cancer, cases of both breast and ovarian cancer, one or more family members with two primary cancers (original tumors at different sites), or an Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish background. However, not every woman in such families carries an alteration in BRCA1 or BRCA2, and not every cancer in such families is linked to alterations in these genes.