Hope and a Teal Tea

Yesterday was the Teal Tea foundation's 5th annual Teal Tea and the third year I attended. The funds raised will support ovarian cancer research at CINJ and Fox Chase Cancer Center.

This year I agreed to be a Table Captain. What did that involve? It meant that I had to decorate the table according to the theme of the year. This year it was Teal Cities of the World. I wasn't sure which city to pick- Rome ? London? . In addition to the city theme the decorations were to include the color TEAL.

I decided to pick London. I wanted to honor the British women who are my friends through this blog and through a group I belong to on Facebook. The feelings, hopes, treatments and concerns you have as an ovarian cancer survivor are the same no matter where in the world you live.

I spent the past month or so collecting different items to represent London. Then I decided to build a model of Westminster Abbey ( scene of the wedding of William and Kate). I finally found a balsam wood kit of the Abbey and aa telephone booth at Michael's Craft store. It took me a while to put the models together but a few days before the Tea they were done. And the finished product is what you see above.

The event yesterday was wonderful. Ann Gutos , survivor and Jenny Allen survivor and actress shared their stories of survivorship with courage and humor. During the invocation my doctor shared the definition of hope. I don't remember the exact words she used but one definition is "the feeling that what is wanted can be had." Yesterday was a day of Hope . My hope is that this tea will help find a cure.

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing. I was blessed to share the day with so many survivors including my friends Pam, Lynn.Lynn,Deirdre and my cousins Marion,Ali and Erica

5th Annuual Teal Tea

This is where I will be on May 1st! It is a fun way for me to support the research done at the Cancer Institute of NJ.

Support the Fight Against Ovarian Cancer

The Fifth Annual Teal Tea to raise awareness of ovarian cancer one tea at a time, will be held Sunday, May 1st from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, NJ. The tea will feature a silent auction and light refreshments. In addition to the live auction, the event features table decorating competitions, a parade of hats, a Mr. or Ms. Teal Tea competition, and a performance by A Cappella Pops. This year’s tea will also feature Jenny Allen, a highly regarded actress and writer. I Got Sick Then I Got Better is a comic riff on her personal story following her diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The keynote address, Teal Talk on Tour, will be delivered by Anne Gutos. Tickets are $60 per person and are available online through pay pal on the Teal Tea Foundation’s events page: www.tealtea.com, or through email njtealtea@aol.com.

Organized by Educational Testing Service employee and ovarian cancer survivor, Jean Shipos with her family and friends, The Teal Tea Foundation is a non-profit, fund raising organization dedicated to raising awareness of and research for ovarian cancer. The Foundation was incorporated in November 2008. Its mission is, “to help raise ovarian cancer awareness and to support research efforts focused on early detection, treatments, and a cure for ovarian cancer. The Foundation membership is dedicated to helping all women with their quality of life and long term recovery.”

The Foundation has raised over $14,000 for ovarian cancer research performed at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick and close to $20,000 for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Members send cheery tea baskets to women undergoing chemotherapy, and freely distribute bookmarks printed with the warning signs of ovarian cancer. If you have noticed teal ribbons tied around your town’s trees in September, chances are that they were the work of volunteers from the Teal Tea Foundation in support of the national Turn the Towns Teal® campaign. The Foundation holds monthly fund-raisers to support its awareness campaigns, including translating the warning signs into Spanish and distributing these free at community events, but The Teal Tea is its premier event. The Tea attracts over 300 men and women, many with a personal link to ovarian cancer.

“The Tea is a wonderful, inspirational afternoon.” says Foundation Founder Shipos. “It is an opportunity for survivors to encourage each other, for us to motivate women currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy and fighting this disease,

and for those who have lost someone special to honor her. This year we’re delighted to have Anne Gutos, an ovarian cancer activistand survivor, as our keynote speaker. Ms. Gutos faced her own struggle with ovarian cancer when she was

24 and pregnant with her first child. Young women need to hear her story so that they understand that ovarian cancer is not an age-related disease. It can happen to anyone.”

The theme of the Fifth Annual Teal Tea is “Turn the World Teal, Cities of the World.” Volunteers will compete in table decorating contests featuring cities around the world. “If you want to visit Moscow, Venice, Kyoto, Detroit, New Orleans, Sydney, come to the Tea on May 1. “ says Jean. “When you walk into that ballroom you will be in awe of the decorating skills of our competitors. I totally believe that someone will show up with the Eiffel Tower as a centerpiece!”

For more information about the Teal Tea Foundation, its monthly events schedule or its campaign against ovarian cancer, visit the Foundation’s webpage: www.tealtea.com.

Ovarian cancer activist, Anne Gutos, is the keynote speaker at the Teal Tea Foundation’s

Fifth annual Teal Tea at the Hyatt on May 1.”

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!