Hi I’m Andrea, a mom, wife, and (it still shocks me to say) an ovarian cancer survivor. Being a cancer survivor doesn't make me unique or an expert. But, my personal story IS PROOF that early detection saves lives. Here it is. 

What happened … 

My ovarian cancer journey started days after my 42nd birthday and came out of nowhere, which is far too common.

In October 2019, I went for what I thought was a routine physical, feeling completely fine. This exam included a pelvic exam and some follow-up ultrasounds and tests. By February 2020, I was in the hospital, having undergone a complete hysterectomy, appendectomy, and the removal of a malignant ovarian mass roughly the size of a football. 

My diagnosis was Stage 1A ovarian cancer, extremely rare as the disease is usually not caught until its more advanced stages. 

What I learned …  

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest female cancer. Despite this, there remains no test for ovarian cancer, meaning there is no way to detect it in its critical early stages. There have been incredible medical advancements but sadly, the outcomes for ovarian cancer have not improved in decades. We can - and must - help change this.

What we can do … 

'I don't want other families to go through what my family has gone through' was my first reason for joining the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. But, the more I learned about this vicious disease, the more I realized that far too few families go through ovarian cancer the way we have - which is to say, in its early, more treatable stages. 

All people affected by ovarian cancer should get what my family did: Early detection, lower risk of recurrence, and a better health outcome. This is the future we must create. This is the reason why our team walks now! 

Your impact ... 

Every dollar I raise through the Walk of Hope goes directly to Ovarian Cancer Canada. 

Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only national charity dedicated to raising awareness, education, and funds are vital to the health of every person with ovaries and supporting families affected by this deadly disease.  

Thank you for your time and support. And, if you are up for it this September, join "Teal Good Inc." for the Walk of Hope — our third year of hopefully many with over $30,000 raised since 2020 — and counting!

Andrea xx