Silencing the “Silent Killer”
September 15, 2010 by Abby B
Filed under CL ExCLusives!, Lifestyle, Sorority Life
September marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. My sorority’s philanthropy is Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, so this month marks a special place in all of our hearts. Our goal is to spread awareness to all women we come in contact with, in hopes of leaving no one uninformed about this vicious disease.
9 facts about the 9th most common cancer among women, according to OCNA:
- “Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in the ovaries”
- Each year in America over 21,000 are diagnosed with ovarian cancer
- Each year in America over 15,000 die from ovarian cancer
- Approximately 3% of cancer found in women is ovarian cancer
- “Ovarian Cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related death among women”
- 1 in 71 women will develop invasive ovarian cancer
- 1 in 95 women will die from invasive ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cancer typically develops in women over the age of 45
- Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer”
Symptoms:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Want an opportunity to spread awareness while directly supporting OCNA? An invitation is extended to you to participate in Sigma Alpha Omega®’s 3rd Annual Ovarian Cancer Walk on Saturday, October 2nd. The walk will take place in Milledgeville, GA and the cost is $15 per participant. Each registrant will receive a free t-shirt and several other awareness gifts. If you can’t physically be present that day, but still want to participate, we welcome “ghost walkers.” Don’t miss this opportunity – registration ends Thursday, September 23rd. Sign up today (2010 Ovarian Cancer Walk – Registration) and let your voice be heard amongst the silent killer.
Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™. She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®. She is passionate about spreading awareness for ovarian cancer and enjoys supporting OCNA through ΣΑΩ’s philanthropy fundraising efforts.
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Abby, I really like this article. As a greek community all the sororities on my campus are working towards informing people about Ovarian cancer this month. Last night we all received blue ribbons to put on our backpacks or purses! I am glad I know more about it and can be informed now.
Thank you for talking about this important issue. It’s vitally important for every sister, mother, daughter and friend.
In observance of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, for every person that visits http://www.letstalkperiod.com and registers their email address, Seventh Generation will donate $1 on their behalf to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, up to $10,000, to help support women suffering from ovarian cancer.