Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope Results

This past weekend, my team and I witnessed a record breaking fundraising event for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in London, Ontario.

I am so pleased to announce that as of our event on Sunday....

We are already in the planning phases for the 2014 Campaign, and are helping out with another amazing event coming in a few weeks!

If you are in the London and surrounding area, we would love to see you at the O Show!

Until next year, keep talking teal, thinking teal, wearing teal and knowing teal!

Philanthrophy Thursday...Ovarian Cancer Canada

Today, I invite you to make a difference and support the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope.

Make a difference! Support the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope!

I have been the CoChair in London, Ontario since 2011 and I can honestly say that this organization has changed my outlook on life.

me and my CoChair, Paige, in 2011

Do I have a personal connection?
Did I lose someone to ovarian cancer, the most deadly gynecological cancer?

No.

I don't and I haven't.

I got involved after having my son in 2010 as a Walk participant, then came on board as a CoChair in 2011. I soon got to know the lovely Claudia and her story struck a chord with me. Here was this beautiful woman who was an ovarian cancer survivor, roughly my age, who had undergone surgery and she lost her chance to become a mom.

My heart wept for her.

And then....the call came. She and her husband were adopting!! They are now parents to a beautiful boy and she is....gah! She is such an amazing mom!

She is my reason for being so heavily involved and for wanting to educate every woman that I come in contact with about ovarian cancer.

Whether you donate, volunteer, register as a virtual walker, or get involved with corporate matching, your support to save a life is need and SO appreciated!

World Ovarian Cancer Day

I am still reeling from how amazing May 8th, World Ovarian Cancer Day, was for us in London, Ontario.

You see, I had this vision that our skyline would be lit up with teal lights at night. I knew in my heart that the city could rally behind this idea, but when I actually saw it in person...wow!

City hall was a glowing display of teal and it was absolutely amazing to see! The North Tower at our hospital was also teal for the day.

And yes, I am already planning for May 8th, 2014! Now that we know what we can do with lighting, why not involve the tallest building in our city?? Why not the University and Colleges? Why not get all of the media affiliates wearing and speaking teal?

Amazingness will happen, that's for sure!

World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day

Did you know that today is World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day?

Well, it is and that means that you should be holding the hands of a woman that you love and educating her on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

What should you be looking for?

• Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
• Pelvic discomfort or heaviness
• Back or abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Gas, nausea, indigestion
• Change in bowel habits
• Emptying your bladder frequently
• Menstrual irregularities
• Weight loss or weight gain

source

Gather the ones you love and hold your own Ovarian Cancer Awareness Party today. Dress in teal, have cocktails, play silly games, celebrate your health and keep this in mind...

The pap smear does NOT screen for ovarian cancer

The HPV vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer, not ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer rates rise after menopause, with a surge at 60-75 years of age

Lifetime risk of 1 in 70 that you will get ovarian cancer at some point in your lifetime

Philanthropy Focus...Ovarian Cancer Canada

Did you know that each day in Canada, 7 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer?

Did you know that each day in Canada, 4 women die from ovarian cancer?

Awareness and education programs for pre-screening and early detection have never been more important for this gynecological cancer, the most deadly of all cancers affecting women.

May 8th is Global Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day, and I am proud to say that the city of London, Ontario will be lighting up the sky with teal! Our City Hall will be changing the colour of its exterior lighting to teal for the duration of the day, and our community leaders will be supporting our efforts in raising awareness for early detection.

Did you know that the pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer?
Did you know that your sister, daughter, mother, niece, best friend could get this deadly disease out of the blue?

Still feel safe? Or does it make you want to learn more about the symptoms, to educate the women that you love?

Ovarian Cancer Canada

Did you know...that for the past two years, I have taken on the role of Co-Chair and Public Relations Coordinator for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in London, Ontario?

Many ask me why I got involved. Do I have a family member who's suffered from ovarian cancer? Why is this cause important to me?

Prior to getting involved in the campaign, I didn't know anyone directly impacted. When I got involved, it was more to challenge myself to walking a 5km at 10wks postpartum than anything else. When I was at the event, I was disappointed in how it was run, and contacted OCC to see if there was any way that I could help.

Shortly after, I got involved as the CoChair and the campaign took on a life of it's own. In my first year of planning, we raised just over $8000 by walk day. Fast forward to last year's walk {my second at CoChair}, and we raised $17000. Really amazing!

This year, my team has grown to include more coordinators since we have grown by leaps and bounds in participants and volunteers, and we already have everything underway for September.

How do you get motivated and impact your community? Leave me some comments!