Powell-Drescher Foundation - Ovarian Cancer Research, Advocacy and Education

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of having a zoom call with Sachia Powell. Sachia is an ovarian cancer survivor, advocate and founder of the the Powell-Drescher Foundation www.powelldrescher.org. We discussed the foundation she founded with Dr Drescher and a number of advocacy and education ideas. Here are two opportunities coming up for advocates.

The Powell-Drescher Foundation is hosting a free Zoom presentation on November 20, 2022, to provide information about research advocacy.  During the Zoom presentation, ovarian cancer researcher Dr. Kristin Anderson will provide information about how to navigate a research conference, as well as details about the AACR’s Scientist-Survivor Program (SSP).  Ovarian cancer survivor/research advocate Annie Ellis will share her experience with the SSP as well as her insights as an experienced research advocate.   To apply to attend the presentation click here. 

 

Along with that education program the organization will provide details about their new program an opportunity for an advocate to attend the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Conference in Orlando in April 2023.To learn more or apply click here. The deadline is December 31,2022. 

You can read more about the organization on their website:  www.powelldrescher.org or follow  them at  @powelldrescher on Instagram  and Facebook, and @powerovarian on Twitter. 

 

 

Dee

 

Every Day is a Blessing! 

 

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Reflections

Earlier today I took part in a #WEGOHealthChat. The topic was how advocates share their story online. I tweeted that I felt being sincere and sharing both the physical and emotional side was important.

I should practice what I preach. So here I go. Let's talk about September - Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Having a month dedicated to all gynecologic cancers and ovarian cancer in particular makes me very happy.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness month is a good thing. Women, young and old and their primary care physicians need to be aware of the disease and its symptoms. Read more about the symptoms here .

I enjoy seeing TEAL, the awareness color of ovarian cancer,  on buildings, bridges, billboards and on ribbons all over town. I found teal on my vacation.

Teal quilt at the Oregon Trail Museum

The awareness walks and other events that raise funds for ovarian cancer research are also important. You can find OCRFA partners as well as NOCC Chapters running events in most states in the US this month.  Research is key to finding a cure and more effective treatments and some of these events are ways to raise funds for research. There were few events in NJ when I was first diagnosed in 2005. This year,  I could take part in an awareness / fundraising event every weekend and even during the week. I appreciate all the work being done by these organizations to support women diagnosed with all types of ovarian cancer.  If my knee cooperates, I hope to be walking later this month in the Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation Valerie O'Rouke Foley Avon walk,  which raises funds for research.

But I am going to be honest with you I don't always feel happy.  There are times during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month when I feel SAD. I am sad when I look at my blog's Memorial Wall and see the names of  50 women and this only includes women I knew in real life not others I interacted with but I never met.

And  I am sad when I see those "walking in memory of " signs you wear during awareness walks.  I love being honored when friends add me to their "walking in honor of" list but I miss my friends. I miss Carole, Pam, Rita Kay, Lois, Courtney and so many others.

The first year the Stand-Up to Cancer show was broadcast, I was happy to see such a strong focus on cancer research. As my advocacy work increased I made friends with many who were diagnosed with cancers other then ovarian. Some even attended the broadcast.  Even now I am glad to see the  research being supported by this event but when I see the some of the presentations and hear the stories, I feel overwhelmed with sadness for those no longer with us. This year I didn't watch the Stand-Up to Cancer show. I decided I needed to take a break.

Is it "survivors guilt"? Maybe. Once the month ends I am sure the emotions I feel now will cease.  They usually do.

Do any other survivors feel happiness along with sadness this month?


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Help Support the DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program

I received an e-mail this morning from OCNA regarding the appropriations for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program  for fiscal year '15 .  I was happy to read that the author of the Senate Letter of Support for the $20M appropriation bill was no other than my NJ Senator , Robert Menendez. He has always been a strong supporter of cancer research.

If you are an ovarian cancer survivor, caregiver of an ovarian cancer survivor or family or friend of a survivor,  please click on this link (http://capwiz.com/ovarian/issues/alert/?alertid=63148556 ) , fill out this form ( a letter is already written for you) and send an e-mail to your Senator. Hurry... the Senator's signatures are required by 5pm on May 1st.

Thank you on behalf of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

It Really is about Research Dollars

Over the holiday weekend there were many posts on facebook about Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I myself posted about hanging ribbons with the Lopez family in Edison. I have been hanging ribbons with them for over 5 years.

Then a friend posted her status. Let me paraphrase what she wrote.

I hope everyone out there hanging ribbons to raise awareness will work hard to lobby their Congressman to support cancer research funding. 

I agree with her 100%. It is wonderful to make women aware of the disease and its symptoms. This way women will get diagnosed at earlier stages. But we also need, dare I say even more than awareness,  the research to better understand the disease,  to develop a screening test for the general public and to better treat the disease. 

We need more federal dollars for research and more private research dollars. 

Lets look at the estimated FY 2013 NIH funding for 3 gynecologic cancers and HPV vaccine research provided by the NIH at

http://report.nih.gov/categorical_spending.aspx

Cervical Cancer - $113 million

Ovarian Cancer - $148 million

Uterine Cancer -  $  42 million 

HPV/ cervical vacccine - $ 26 million

Together they do not equal the $800 million for breast cancer research. Actually most other cancers get more federal research dollars. Only Pancreatic and Liver cancer get lower funding than the gynecologic cancers. 

There is also an Ovarian Cancer Research Program(OCRP)  as part of the Department of Defense (http://cdmrp.army.mil/ocrp/ ) . The DOD OCRP program has a $20 million budget for 2013. 

So when the time comes for research budget discussions please spend the time to e-mail or call your congressman to ask to increase the funding for ovarian cancer research. Or if a local ovarian cancer organization raises funds for research through walks or auctions or other events - make a donation.  

Ribbons matter but funding for research is the key to save women's lives. 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!