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September Puts the Spotlight on Ovarian Cancer

 

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and we want to highlight some of the recent scientific advances and the exciting happenings. The collective voices of advocacy organizations and patients are very powerful in increasing awareness of ovarian cancer and help to advance education, fund research, improve treatments and ultimately extend lives!

 

�    The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition partnered with the Dr. Oz show to develop the "Break the Silence" campaign. On his show, Dr. Oz reviews the few symptoms of ovarian cancer, encourages women to closely listen to their bodies and ask their doctors about the disease. He also shows just how easy a screening can be. The campaign aims to teach that if caught early, ovarian cancer can be cured 95 percent of the time.

 

�    A glow in the dark breakthrough could change the fight against cancer. Researchers at Purdue University developed a technique which allows them to turn ovarian cancer cells into bright spots of light. This makes it possible for the surgeon to see and remove tiny clusters of cancer cells that would otherwise be invisible. Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic are already using a similar technique that employs pink and blue dye, and the Mayo Clinic will begin surgeries with the fluorescent imaging next month.

 

�    On the research side of things, Dr. Jonathan Lancaster and colleagues at the Moffitt Cancer Center identified a molecular pathway that may play a key role in the evolution of chemotherapy resistance, which is a serious concern for patients with ovarian cancer. The researchers discovered a pathway called "BCL2 antagonist of cell death," or BAD, which may serve as a biomarker to identify patients who may be resistant to chemotherapy. Clearity Scientific Director Dr. Deborah Zajchowski  commented, "Dr. Lancaster's discovery further illustrates that ovarian cancer is not a homogeneous disease and that patients should not all be treated the same way.  This work emphasizes the need for more research to identify drugs that will work in patients that have this pathway activated." Dr. Lancaster's research was published in Clinical Cancer Research (17:00, 2011). He is a Scientific Advisor to Clearity Foundation.  

 

Raising money for Clearity - Personalized fundraisers for individualized treatments

 

In this section we celebrate three Clearity heroes who are each giving back in her own unique way.  Adrina Phipps, Birgit Millauer and Sandy Winokur looked at their own circumstances, focused on what they are passionate about in their everyday lives, and created fundraisers that reflect their unique interests and personalities. These women have dedicated their best efforts towards raising money so that The Clearity Foundation can help more women choose the treatments that are more likely to work for them. Personalized fundraisers to support individualized treatment, what could be more fitting?!

 

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Clearity Cycling Team before the start of the Tour D'Organics.
 
Adrina Phipps decided to combine a passion of hers, cycling, with a fundraiser in honor of her friend Sarah, who is battling recurrent ovarian cancer. She more than doubled her original fundraising goal and raised $13,000 for Clearity.
 
Reunion of biotech friends
Old friends unite to make an impact.

  

In November, Birgit Millauer will open up her home and host mini reunion of biotech colleagues, complete with a physician speaker and a live music.  

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Olive aficionado, artist and ovarian cancer survivor Sandy Winokur
Finally, Sandy Winokur is still battling her cancer, but living life happy on her olive orchard in Texas. She will be dedicating some of her September sales to the Foundation in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and will be hosting an event in the spring.

All three agree that when we share what makes us happy and what is important to us, we attract others who want to be a part of it! These women prove that it doesn't matter if you are a survivor or a friend, or where you live, or what your hobbies are; there is always a way to fight for what you believe in. We hope these creative ideas and helpful tips inspire you to develop a fundraiser of your own. We'd love to hear from you and help out!

 

Celebrating Good Times! 

 

On August 21st, after crossing the finish line of San Diego's America's Finest City Half Marathon and raising more than $40,000 Team Clearity was joined by friends, family and fellow survivors to celebrate the team's fundraising efforts as well as Founder, Laura Shawver's five-year cancer free anniversary.  

 

We would like to thank our Board Member, Susan Atkins, for graciously opening her home to us!  

 

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Ask Jack, a local nonprofit band performs at the celebration.

   

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Young and Determined to Beat Ovarian Cancer


At age 28, Crystal Fernandez-Seid is among the youngest women on record to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her original treatment plan consisted of painful chemotherapy, yet after surgery, she found it had been ineffective at treating her cancer. In desperation, she reached out to the Clearity Foundation, who promptly helped her with a molecular profile and information on how to proceed. Crystal has stated that with the help from Clearity, she is now "excited at the possibilities of a controlled future with cancer."   

READ MORE>> 

Crystal Fernandez-Seid says, "Everyone deserves better treatment and a fair chance at life."
Diane's Day Events

 

Laura Shawver, David Barton and Staff at Diane's Day in New York City.

Clearity Founder, Laura Shawver and DavidBartonGym owner, David Barton.

DavidBartonGym hosted their second annual Diane's Day fundraisers at their locations in New York, Chicago, Miami and Seattle on Saturday, September 24.  

Clearity founder, Laura Shawver, and executive director, Hillary Theakston celebrated Diane's Day in New York City and spent time with David Barton at his 3 gym locations in the city. Laura and Hillary were challenged with a personal training session in the Chelsea location with one of DavidBartonGym's skilled trainers before heading to their Uptown location to meet with enthusiastic participants in Diane's Day. They finished up at Astor Place, which welcomed the most Diane's Day supporters. David Barton's team appreciated and supported his passion for improving treatment for ovarian cancer patients. Managers and trainers were committed to making Dianes's Day a success by promoting within the community, identifying donated products and services and welcoming customers and friends. See the pictures here! Also, please  click here to post on the DavidBartonGym facebook page to share your thanks or comments. 

 

Aware, Share, Care

 

Patients share their stories with Clearity to increase awareness of ovarian cancer and the options of personalized treatments. If you are inspired, we hope you'll participate in Clearity's Aware, Share, Care campaign, which is dedicated to reaching every patient and family that can benefit from molecular profiling.  Please support Aware, Share, Care by visiting this link and learn more.   

Do You Have An Inspiring Story to Share?

 

If you have been treated for ovarian cancer, would you share your story with the Clearity community? We draw strength from each individual's story and our collective voice can influence ovarian cancer research, advance treatment protocols and clear a path to a cure. To submit your story, please email to Mary Buhler: [email protected].  

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