I was looking on my Facebook page & I found an ad by Wylers with the Teal Ribbon which is the ribbon color of Ovarian Cancer. As I clicked on the ad, I found that September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I followed the link until I came to the NOCC website..ah..very cool I thought.. I then started browsing for events around the USA. I found no NOCC organization in Nevada, sadly, but found one in Sacramento which is only 127 miles from me. They were sponsoring a 5Kwalk/run to "Break the Silence of Ovarian Cancer". I checked my calender and realized it was 2 weeks away on Sept. 17th and I didn't have anything planned, so not stopping to even think about it, I signed up..not as an individual, that would be too easy, but as a team. Team Brenda in honor of my sis, Brenda, who is an Ovarian Cancer Warrior. I decided that I could be a team of one, BUT, just maybe I could get others to participate with me. I immediately, emailed my Cousin Valerie in California, a few close friends, and my daughters. Five minutes later I had a Team of 4, then 5..before I knew it we were up to 8.. I decided that we needed a Team shirt so, knowing my Sister Brenda's art talent, I asked ( or told) her to design the artwork..she stayed up all night and the next morning we were ready to go to the printers. And to make our Team Brenda complete, Brenda was able to fly up to join us in our Walk/Run.
What an inspirational day..an upbeat event, honoring the survivors and those that had lost the fight to this disease. Seeing my sis, smiling from ear to ear. Watching as she was selected to get up on stage and open the event.. She was a natural. Seeing other teams honoring their loved ones. Listening to the stories of the survivors, feeling the hurt of those that had lost their loved ones. Watching as the survivors were gathered for a picture and seeing the very young girls, young mothers, grandmothers...all ages that are fighting this silent killer. We walked, laughed and finished the race with my sis in a wheelchair for most...but she crossed the finish line on her feet!
A special thanks to "Team Brenda" members all who traveled to support the cause: Cousins Valerie and Laurie, My Daughters: Nielsine and Amanda, Friends: Donna(whose sister Martha is an Ovarian Cancer Warrior), Cathy and Mary, and of course our Team Leader: Brenda. I love you all! Can't wait for next year..we are already recruiting!
