Teal is the ribbon color associated with ovarian cancer, and T.E.A.L. or Tell Every Amazing Lady is a non-profit grassroots organization founded by an ovarian cancer survivor, whose mission is to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, to enable early detection, and to help find the cure for this deadly disease.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women. In the United States alone, there will be approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer each year, and about 15,500 women will die from the disease. Until we have better early detection tools, the best thing you can do for yourself and by extension your loved ones is to be informed so you can guarantee an early diagnosis and successful treatment. Visit the site (link above) and learn the symptoms.
How else can you help? Let me count the ways. First of all, if you live in the tri-state area, why not buy tickets to attend T.E.A.L.'s 1st Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day on July 21, 2012 at Citi Field. Part of the proceeds go to raise funds for research. September is also National Ovarian Cancer awareness month, and T.E.A.L. holds an annual walk every September in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York. The walk is a non-competitive 5K event. Participants include survivors, caregivers, families, and friends coming together to raise awareness of, and promote a cure for ovarian cancer. T.E.A.L. has become NYC's largest Ovarian Cancer Walk with last year's walk raising $75,000 for Ovarian Cancer research!
I've now told some of the amazing ladies in my life. Now you tell yours. And so on. And so on. Until we're all a little more informed, prepared, and ready to fight head on and beat this insidious disease.
