The Adventures of Lillian Kate

Valisia and I , 6/8/14

I had the privilege of meeting Valisia LeKae  at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Survivors Day in 2014. I had reached out to her on Twitter when I first heard she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Introducing her to the other survivors and caregivers that day was a true honor.  Valisia is a survivor and Tony and Grammy nominated actress and my Teal sister.
Since finishing treatment Valisia has been dedicated to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Recently she completed three episodes of "The Adventures of Lillian Kate"  a "true story" about Valisia's experiences.

I am pleased to share the episodes here on my blog.








Thank you Valisia for sharing your story with the world. May you continue to have many years of good health and happiness.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

As September Comes To An End

It is hard to believe that September 2014 is coming to an end. I was away for the first half of the month so I missed doing my usual awareness activities. 

I did though still hang my teal ribbon flag and join Graceful Hope for their walk. And on Thursday, I went to the Lunch and Learn at the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey. Dr Tchabo, Atlantic Health, spoke about the latest research and treatments for ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and uterine cancer. Although I missed a few events, I experienced a lot of what September as ovarian cancer awareness month means to a survivor- learning about the disease, raising awareness, honoring fellow teal sisters and remembering the lives cut short by the disease.

This morning I was thinking to myself how things have changed in the past 9 years. It has been a gradual change but I think a change for the better. Teal ribbons on trees are no longer rare thanks to thousands of  Turn the Towns Teal Foundation volunteers throughout the state and country. This year more news channels had segments focusing on ovarian cancer like this segment on channel 7 featuring my friend, Valisia LeKae.

More newspapers throughout the country shared stories about walks and focused on stories of survivors. 

Kaleidoscope of Hope Avon, NJ Walk- photo:J. Flaherty

Buildings and bridges in places like Philadephia, Birmingham, Huntsville and around the US were bathed in teal lights. 

Boathouse Row Philadelphia, PA - photo Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation

Even with this awareness the 5 year relative survival rate (SEER data) for ovarian cancer is 44.6% and for women with late stage disease the rate drops to 27%. 

What can I do? What can you do? September may come to a close but I will not stop raising awareness of this disease. I hope you won't stop either. I will continue sharing information about symptoms. I will continue to stress that women, diagnosed with ovarian cancer, be treated by gynecologic oncologists. I will still tell women that every woman is a risk. And I will continue all year long to advocate for more funding for ovarian cancer.

In another 9 years I want to be able to write "The 5 year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer has risen dramatically from  44.6% to over 80% ". 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! 

Valisia's 525,600 Minutes - Survivors Day, Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ

Yesterday, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey's (CINJ)  held their Annual Survivors Day Celebration. I have been on the planning committee along with 3 other survivors for the past few years. In the past to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, we have had authors, breast cancer survivors, wellness days, days reminiscent of being on a cruise ship and tours of CINJ. This year was very special for me.

Back in December,  I learned from a friend's tweet that Broadway star Valisia LeKae had just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Valisia was playing Diana Ross in MOTOWN- the Musical and she had to leave the show because of her diagnosis. I tweeted to Valisia that her Teal Sisters were there for her and we began exchanged tweets during her treatments.  So when the time came to suggest speakers for this year's event I immediately thought of Valisia. The committee voted to ask her and I direct messaged her to see if she was interested. When she said yes, I was thrilled.

Yesterday, I got to meet Valisia in person. And what an honor it was for me to introduce her to the more than 200 survivors, caregivers, doctors, nurses, researchers and social workers in attendance.

Introducing Valisia at Survivors Day

Valisia began her talk by asking us if we knew the song 525,600 Minutes from the Broadway show Rent. She was going to tell us what her last 525,600 minutes have been like.

Valisia LeKae

In June 2013, she was walking the red carpet nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Diana Ross. In the fall, she visited her doctor who saw that a cyst on her ovary was getting larger and told her that it should be removed. On December 2nd she learned she had ovarian cancer. Another surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy meant she had to leave MOTOWN the Musical.

During her recovery and treatment,  Valisia told us of the wonderful support she had from so many people. Support from her fellow cast members of MOTOWN  who wrote the original song for her "I am Here (For Valisia)" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_vkmFaNnuo#t=373 ). (Be sure to have a tissue ready when you watch it. ) Then she spoke of the support and love of her partner- now fiance and how her faith in God helped on her journey with cancer.

Valisia also shared with us her need to spread awareness about the disease. Currently, she is the national spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and has completed a PSA for Mount Sinai Hospital where she was treated.

During her talk and the question and answer period that followed many of her responses brought tears to her eyes and mine. She was kind enough to share how humming and singing was helpful during treatment and she even sang a song for us. My how this disease can impact our lives and at the same time show us places and experiences we never thought we would have. It certainly was a wonderful day. Thank you Valisia for sharing your story with us.

Yesterday, her 2 month anniversary of finishing chemotherapy, she came full circle- 525,600 minutes later.  It was the night she would appear on the red carpet as a host of the Tony Awards Red Carpet Special on playbill.com.

Valisia and I

My friend Valisia,
I wish you many years of clear scans and many years of lighting up Broadway.  May God bless you.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Know Your Body, Know Your Risk

Valisia LeKae is a star. She played Diana Ross in the Broadway show Motown: The Musical. That performance earned her Grammy and Tony Award nominations and a Theater World Award.

Valisia LeKae is also an ovarian cancer survivor and advocate who recently completed chemotherapy. When Valisia  first announced that she had been diagnosed I reached out to her on her twitter account. We have tweeted back and forth a number of times and I followed her as she entered treatment. She is an awesome Woman of Teal who has spent many days these past few months raising awareness about ovarian cancer.  Please watch the PSA she recently made for Mount Sinai Hospital. (I am having technical issues embedding the video on this page so I hope you will click on the link below and see Valisia's message.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Een8_qoaFF8

Thank you Valisia for all you have done and will continue to do to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer.  I hope to see you performing on Broadway very soon.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!