Shelley O’Keefe had been experiencing weird bruising, some fatigue, and lower back pain for a few years. But she’s an athlete — a member of the PGA of America and golf instructor; before that, a Division 1 soccer player; and a former member of the United States Freestyle Ski Team as a mogul specialist. With two kids … Continued
B. Dana Kivel has a plea to the ovarian cancer community, to medical professionals, to the world: “See me. Listen to me. I’m one of the people, the tens of thousands of people who have metastatic ovarian cancer.” But while Dana has a gendered gynecologic cancer, their gender identity does not align with what one would … Continued
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer or any gynecologic cancer can be an overwhelming experience, and it can help to know that you aren’t alone. Explore ovarian cancer survivor stories as they get real, sharing their experience with navigating ovarian cancer, along with tips and resources that helped them during their most challenging moments. Read their … Continued
Janice Murphy is a woman with many passions: sharing her love of the Great American Songbook, living life to the fullest — and making sure healthcare providers know that ovarian cancer may pose a greater risk for older lesbian women. Janice was 62 years old and newly married to a woman she had been committed … Continued
“I don’t think of myself as a hero,” said Amy Hollub, ovarian cancer survivor who—along with the help of her family, close friends, and an advisory board—spearheaded a fundraising event in Miami. “It’s my whole community.” Indeed, the idea of community plays a big role in Amy’s ovarian cancer experience – from her own family … Continued
I never say, ‘I have cancer,’ because it’s not mine. I’m dealing with it. Elle Simone In the same way that a complex dish is made up of distinct ingredients that blend together and bring out new flavors, Elle Simone’s life resembles something that could only come out of a Michelin-rated restaurant. Elle is really … Continued
US Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is the Chair and founder of the Congressional Ovarian Cancer Caucus. Established in 2015, the Caucus set out to raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and support for research. This was almost a decade after Representative DeLauro helped lead a bipartisan coalition to pass the original Johanna’s Law – also … Continued
“Don’t settle” This simple two-word mantra is what guides Roxanne Bright – self-proclaimed dog mom, crafter, and 9-year ovarian cancer survivor from West Virginia who is on a mission to use her voice for good. “Once you’ve heard the word ‘cancer’ tied to your name, you don’t want to settle for anything less than a … Continued
Noel Rademacher, a 44-year-old mother of two and ovarian cancer survivor in Spokane, WA, began wearing a mask at the end of February. She didn’t care what people thought. She just knew it was the decent thing to do. Her husband Thomas is an anesthesiologist, responsible for intubating and extubating patients, and so she knew … Continued
To speak with Kimberly Richardson is to feel an instant camaraderie with someone who exhibits both calm and conviction, thoughtfulness and frank talk. She has learned a lot in the past 20 years – running triathlons, running a nonprofit in Chicago focused on small business development, teaching urban sociology as an adjunct professor – and … Continued
The world works in ironic and sometimes painful ways Yvette Jives, a nurse and social worker in North Carolina, has spent a lifetime helping others. She developed a women’s health program at the community center where she worked for 15 years (after working for 14 years in a hospital), monitoring patients’ cervical and breast cancer … Continued
“Eyebrows are sisters, not twins.” This is the best advice Morgan Gaynor received when she was in treatment for ovarian cancer. She laughed as she admitted it, acknowledging that it may seem ludicrous considering, but for the 31-year-old woman from Red Bank, New Jersey, it was poignant. “There’s something about the eyebrows and eyelashes that … Continued
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