After losing her friend Mary Anne Kobylka to ovarian cancer, Stacey Dickinson continues raising funds for research as captain of Team Mary Anne at SummeRun and through her business, Play the Day®.
Hope is at the heart of Stacey Dickinson’s tireless efforts to raise funds for ovarian cancer research, which began more than two decades ago.
This OCRA Hero first became involved in fundraising when her friend Mary Anne Kobylka was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They met in 1990 through Stacey’s job at Microsoft University (MSU).
From Friendship to Ovarian Cancer Research Fundraising
Years later, the two would find themselves on a team of a different sort: one dedicated to fundraising for ovarian cancer research. When Mary Anne was diagnosed in 2004, she decided to participate in a triathlon to raise money for research. “I decided to do the triathlon with her,” Stacey recalled.
In 2006, Stacey participated as a member of Team Mary Anne in Seattle’s SummeRun 5K. This walk/run event was started by Dr. Saul Rivkin, founder of the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, and his five daughters in honor of Marsha Rivkin, his late wife and the girls’ mother.
Mary Anne was named SummeRun’s Survivor of the Year in 2008. More than $47,000 in donations were attributed to Team Mary Anne that year, the most they had ever raised as SummeRun participants up until that point.
Mary Anne Kobylka’s Lasting Legacy
Even as she navigated her diagnosis, Mary Anne continued to give back.“Her impact on me was her incredible attitude through adversity,” Stacey shared. “She focused on hope. Raising money for ovarian cancer research gave her that hope.”
After Mary Anne passed away in 2009, Stacey was determined to carry on her friend’s legacy, not only participating in SummeRun but eventually stepping up as captain of Team Mary Anne.
Stacey is once again captain of Team Mary Anne for this year’s SummeRun, which will be held on Sunday, July 12, at Seattle’s Seward Park. The Rivkin Center is now part of Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and OCRA is proud to continue this beloved event, which has become one of the largest fundraising events in support of ovarian cancer research in the country.
Support Stacey’s fundraiser and learn more about SummeRun.
Stacey’s advice to others who want to raise funds f is to be persistent. “Be the squeaky wheel when asking for donations,” she said, explaining that people become busy, so it often takes more than one ask. She also uses her fundraising emails as an educational tool, sharing information about ovarian cancer to raise awareness.
How Play the Day® Supports Ovarian Cancer Research
In addition to reaching out to her circle for donations, Stacey raises funds through her business Play the Day® is inspired by a motto Stacey’s late mother, Sydney Dickinson. She donates 10% of all net sales to OCRA to help fund ovarian cancer research. Stacey hopes the motto can inspire cancer patients, survivors and caregivers to persevere through challenges, pause to appreciate meaningful moments, and welcome unexpected opportunities. That spirit is reflected in her company’s eco-friendly items.
Purchase products and learn more about Play the Day®.
Proceeds from Play the Day® are donated in memory of Stacey’s maternal grandmother, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1966, and also in tribute to Mary Anne.
