Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation

The Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation was recently formed by Laura's family and friends. Laura's picture was on the cover of the Picture of Health calendar, which raised awareness about ovarian cancer. Laura constantly expressed her desire to be able to help others who are faced with the same battle; she passed away at the age of 25. Through this foundation, they hope to successfully carry out Laura's legacy by raising awareness and funding research, specifically in the area of early detection. The website is http://www.thinkoflaura.org.

Ovarian Cycle -- 2010

Participants in Ovarian Cycle raised nearly $60,000 for ovarian cancer research this year. Several of our members participated in the ride.

To see more pictures, click on the "Photos" link in sidebar.

Motherwalk 2010

The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation held its annual MOTHERWALK on May 8 in Crestline Village in Mountain Brook. Many CanSurvive members participated in the walk and/or in staffing the event. Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Michael Straughn and his wife Dr. Heidi Straughn also participated as did members of their staff.

Lori Livingston, the founder of NLOCA, announced that their board approved a grant of $100,000 to Dr. Ron Alvarez of UAB's GYN Oncology for research.

More pictures can be found under "Photos".

Tablescapes a Success

CanSurvive was the beneficiary of the Tablescapes held at the Hoover Country Club on May 11, 2010. Attendees gleaned ideas from the 25 tables decorated by local merchants and individuals while enjoying a delicious variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres. We were also treated to lovely piano music by the club's past president, Rick Sirmon. Participants also had a chance to visit our awareness table.

Jennifer and Criss Smiley decorated this table in the awareness colors for uterine and endometrial cancers. Their theme was the "Peaches and Cream Book Club." Actual books are part of our lending library that Jennifer started. The books in the center are cakes!

Cheryl Bourn used the ovarian and cervical awareness colors as accents with her "Slice of Life" dishes and had statistics for these cancers displayed. Kathy Wickstrom made the floral centerpiece.

Alice Laurendine and her sister decorated TWO tables! This one had the them of "Steel Magnolias - Strong Southern Women Fighting Cancer".

The other one was "The Teddy Bears' Picnic". Isn't this cute?

Thanks to all the people who made this event possible: Dr. Alice Laurendine, Allison Fulmer of the Hoover Country Club, all those who decorated tables, Kathy Wickstrom for the flowers for Jennifer's and Cheryl's tables, CanSurvive members, and our attendees.




Visit the "Photos" section for more pictures.

OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE CONFERENCE - 2010

The OCNA conference was a wonderful experience. We had the opportunity to hear many speakers on different subjects: Clinical Trial & Research Updates, Genetics, Survivors Teaching Students, Healthcare Reform, Complementary Therapies, Long-Term Survivorship and more. If you would like to view some of the information in more detail including the power point presentations, you can click on the link below. http://www.ovariancancer.org/conference/2010/

To me, the most rewarding part of the entire conference was Advocacy Day. All seven of us from Alabama had appointments scheduled in different offices of our Congressmen including Spencer Bachus, Bobby Bright, Artur Davis, Parker Griffith, Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby. We were able to tell our personal stories as well some of your stories. To really put a face on this disease, I took photographs to show them, including pictures of my mom before her diagnosis, during her treatment, and near the end of her life.

We have received some positive follow up from a few of their offices, but we still need their help to vote for the funding we requested. Here is a summary of what we have asked them to support:

• $10 million in 2011 to fund Johanna's Law
• $10 million in 2011 for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative
• $30 million in 2011 for the Dept. of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program
• To sign as co-sponsor on September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
• To sign as co-sponsor and to reauthorize Johanna's Law

For more in depth descriptions of where the money will go, please see the summary page on the OCNA website: Click here

We also met some really incredible people while we were there. I promised one of those people, Joe Casey, that I would share his mother's story. Please see the following video link about the BRCA gene and ovarian cancer symptoms and feel free to share it with anyone you feel may benefit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKWu-Pl4kfY

I think this was an experience I will never forget. I encourage those who have considered going to make plans on attending one of the conferences in the future.

-- Jennifer Smiley

Here you will find old headlines and articles as well as any other permanent set of information.

Southern Women's Show

September 24 -- 27, 2009

BJCC

At our awareness table at the Southern Women's Show we spoke with many women about the signs and symptoms of gyn cancers and about the HPV vaccine. We handed out literature and emery boards and also had awareness items for sale.

Special thanks goes to the Doubletree Care Committee for providing their wonderful cookies for us to give away and to the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation and the Clinical Trials folks at UAB for helping us wo-man our booth along with our members.

Ovarian Cancer Car Tags Generate $48,000 for Research

On September 25, 2009, the first monies raised from the ovarian cancer car tags were presented to UAB. Dr. Alavarez accepted the $48,000 check. He said the money will be used to collect tissue samples from ovarian cancer patients for understanding and investigating the biology of this cancer. This should lead to new ways of treatment. Some of the funds will be combined with federal grants being used for clinical trials with gene therapy.

Also on hand were the Waldrep family who brainstormed the idea for the tag in honor of Brittany Waldrep; Dr. Mack Barnes; Dr. Charles Landen; Lori Livingston and Tiffany Denson of the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation; and Brett McBrayer of the Birmingham Auto Dealers Association (BADA). You may recall that BADA's charitable arm provided more than $35,000 for folks to order free tags this first year so that our pre-order quota of 1,000 tags would be met. In honor of that, the tags have "Drive Out Ovarian Cancer" on them. The Birmingham News and Fox 6 News covered this event.

The date for the presentation was a special one: it would have been Brittany's 28th birthday.

2nd Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction a Success

CanSurvive's Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction held on March 11, 2009 at The Club was well-attended and a fundraising success. Dr. Michael Straughn spoke to the group about the progress of ovarian cancer treatment. Dr. Austin and Rita Woods were our emcees. Patients, physicians, doctors' children, and clinic staff and their spouses were among our models and we thank them. We also express our appreciation to our silent auction donors. For a listing of the program agenda, participants, and donors, see our Archive section.

MotherWalk

Many of our members participated in the MotherWalk on May 9, 2009 to help raise money for local ovarian cancer research. The walk is an event by the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. There was also an Eggs 2 Ovaries fundraiser that evening. For more information go to http://www.nlovca.org.

Ovarian Cycle

Ovarian Cycle had an event in Birmingham and Atlanta. The 2009 fundraising objective was to raise an amazing $200,000 to promote ovarian cancer research leading to a reliable ovarian cancer screening test to enhance early diagnosis of the disease and more effective therapeutic interventions to enhance treatment outcomes and cancer survival rates.

The Birmingham Ovarian Cycle raised $30, 374.

Read more at http://www.ovariancycle.org. If you click on the Birmingham Event, you can see a list of all the participants, many of who have connections to CanSurvive.

Members of Team CanSurvive Cycling and Team CanSurvive Spin-Offs

(L to R): Jennifer Smiley, Sylvia Weeks, Barbara Blair, Dianne Baer, Criss Smiley, Halcyann Badham, Debbie Thompson (Dianne's sister)

CareNotes

If you are unfamiliar with CareNotes, they are pamphlets on a wide range of topics to help folks get through a difficult period. The front corner says "Take One -- and take heart. Give One -- and give hope." They are a good way to "reach out & touch someone". (You can go to their website to learn more: www.carenotes.com.

Here are the ones we have:

Coping With Cancer Self-Help Assortment, which contains a colorful cover card and ONE EACH of the following FIVE tried-and-true CareNotes:, What People With Cancer Need Most Lifting Your Life Above Serious Illness Living With Cancer A Day at a Time Tackling the Emotional Side of Cancer Finding the Courage to Face a Serious Illness

We also have these individual CareNotes: Dealing With the Anxious Waiting That Illness Brings(don't we all know how that feels?) Hanging on to Hope Through a Serious Illness Living With Cancer -- A Day at a Time How It Feels to Have Cancer Cheryl Bourn has these; contact her at mcbourn79@bellsouth.net if you would like any of them.

Booklets available at clinic office

In addition to CareNotes, we've obtained booklets for patients that are kept in the clinic in a display rack:

Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide - for newly diagnosed women

Ovarian Cancer Resource Guide - for women with recurrent disease

When a Loved One Has Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Sexuality & Intimacy

Understanding Ovarian Cancer

Understanding Endometrial Cancer

Understanding Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Understanding Cervical Cancer

OVARIAN CANCER NATIONAL ALLIANCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE JULY 2008

Joy, Donna, Kathy, and Patricia attendend the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance meeting in Washington, D.C. They heard about current treatments, which Donna said our clinic already does. They also heard a lecture from the researcher who came up with the CA125 test. They spoke with the aides of some of our congressmen; Kathy said this was a very emotional experience. Congressman Aderholt spoke with them and posed with them for a picture.

Our trip to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference in Washington was a wonderful and informative experience. Each of the speakers was well chosen and very knowledgeable in his/her field. Although here in Birmingham we have doctors tirelessly working to find an annual test and a cure, it is enlightening to know that so many others are also working and together we will win.

It was inspiring to see so many ladies who have experienced ovarian cancer and to hear their stories. It is sad to know that many have lost the battle. My hope is that our trip to Capital Hill will bear fruit and through obtaining finances for both awareness and research that there will be more survivors attending future OCNA Conferences and that early detection and a cure for Ovarian Cancer will become a reality.
--Joy

We had a great time and learned many new things! Capitol Hill day was amazing. The four of us had a personal tour of the Capitol building and even got to go into the gallery of the Senate. Donna and I also met Congressman Robert Aderholt and had our picture made with him. Thank you for the opportunity!
--Kathy

CanSurvive Meeting Notes September 19, 2008

It was wonderful to meet again with each other and make new friends. Doris, Ruth, Terry, and Margaret were here for their first time. Margaret came on behalf of her sister, Mary.

Several of our members are still undergoing treatment or starting treatment again or having additional surgery, so you'll get an updated member list in the next week so we can all stay in touch.

Our September meeting featured 2 speakers: Jennifer Cherry with the Hope Lodge (930-8873) and Hilary Palmer with our local American Cancer Society (ACS). They told us about the main purpose of the ACS and the services they offer.

Some services include:

• free lodging at the Lee Griffin Hope Lodge for patients who are receiving treatment in Birmingham, but live more than 40 miles away. Free transportation to & from appointments for these patients is also provided.
• a toll-free information number (1-800-227-2345) which is available 24/7 and is answered by one of their cancer information specialists.
• an ACS navigator at UAB that helps patients navigate the medical center.
• support groups.
• Reach for Recovery program for breast cancer patients.
• a comprehensive list of resources for patients.
• literature about various cancers.
• Look Good...Feel Better program.

You can find out more by going to the ACS website http://www.cancer.org

One of the most important things to be gleaned from their presentation is there is help if you have a need during your treatment. You can contact the ACS directly (205-879-2242) or go through the social worker, Michael K. Schepps, at the UAB GYN Oncology office to start a referral.

Hilary from ACS told us more about the Look Good, Feel Better program that helps women one-on-one with skin care, makeup, wigs, scarves, and accessories during their cancer treatments. Cosmetologists provide the expertise. It includes free makeup and skin care products valued at over $300. Hilary's phone number is 930-8870.

If you weren't able to attend this meeting, you can get ACS brochures at the UAB GYN Oncology office.

Our thanks to McAlister's for donating our great lunch and to the ACS for letting us use their facility monthly and for our speakers.

After our speakers' presentations, we did have time to share concerns and encouragement. It is so wonderful we have each other to lean on!

We didn't have time to talk about this, but most of you wanted to stuff goodie bags again at a meeting. We'll do that at our November meeting, so block out some extra time for that. And we will keep it simpler this year. We'll take a few minutes to talk about it at our October meeting.

October 17: Our own Connie LaMonte will present a program on music and healing.

November 21: The Doubletree CARE committee will prepare a Thanksgiving meal for us. We will also stuff holiday bags.

December 7: Our Christmas party will be at the Hoover Lakehouse in the early afternoon.

December 19: We'll have our regular meeting at the ACS.

2009

January meeting: Rashel Ross from the Rashel Foundation will be our speaker

February meeting: Mary Jerome, one of our chemo nurses, will be our speaker

CanSurvive Meeting Notes

April 18th, 2008

Next meeting: Friday, May 16, in the bigger room at the American Cancer Society, noon - 2:30 or so. Jennifer Smiley's husband is a chef and he is preparing our meal. We'll also be painting pottery. Be sure to carve out that time for yourself.

1. Today we had special guest: Nicole Falls. Nicole's mother had ovarian cancer. Nicole is a first year UAB medical student who is co-president of the OB GYN Support Group. The medical students form groups that focus in areas they would like to know more about. This group wants to help CanSurvive with projects when we need some manpower. They are also going to participate in the MotherWalk.

2. Member updates:

• We all concluded that we looked mighty fine today. :>)
• Carolyn Fiore -- is now receiving hospice services. She loves getting your cards & notes and said she'd appreciate short phone calls. Afternoon would be a good time to call. Carolyn's address is 713 Sussex Dr., Birmingham, 35226.
• Brenda Lamb -- had arthroscopic knee surgery this week. She is slowly improving. She cannot take strong pain medicine, so pray that her pain will diminish. She said to tell you she loves you all and she missed seeing you today. If you'd like to send her a card, her address is 2136 Rockland Dr., Birmingham, 35226.
• Minnie Aldrich, Beth Hosmer's mother -- had a mastectomy this past week. Beth said to "tell everyone that my mom is taking things great. She will have some scans next week and meet with oncologist to see what type of chemo treatment she will need. Tell everyone thank you for their thoughts and prayers. We will continue to need them." Minnie's address is 3067 Mud Creek Rd., Adger, AL 35006.

3. Dianne Baer told us about the Birmingham Ovarian Cycle event that was last Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. Dianne, Patricia Naish, and Dianne's sister Debbie rode for Team CanSurvive. Margaret Keeton, Gail & Molly McCarrick, Gail's boys (exchange students), Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Barnes, and Cheryl Bourn came to cheer them on. The event made $35,000; 80% of that money will be used locally for research.

4. Kathy Wickstrom has invited us to the Blount Co. Relay for Life at Oneonta City Park next Friday evening, 4/25. For more details, e-mail Kathy. Her Flav-O-Pic Tomato team has raised $11,000 so far. Their goal is $16,000.

5. Betty King has some small gift bags & chocolate for chemo patients near Mother's Day. Brenda Lamb will also add a flower. If you'd like to contribute a little something for the bag, let Brenda know.

6. BADA - B'ham Auto Dealers Assoc. -- charitable arm has bought 700 ovarian cancer car tags. They will offer them to people buying cars. We need to have some folks transcribe their info to the official forms. We may do them once a month or so, possibly on a Saturday. We'll work out the details. Just let Cheryl know if you'd like to help. We signed a thank you letter to BADA in our meeting today.

7. Thanks to Lori Livingston who dropped some MotherWalk yard signs & posters by our meeting today.

MOTHERWALK is Saturday, May 10 in Crestline Village
• 8 am - Walk up registration
• 9 am - Official start of 3 mile walk
• 7 pm - Post event

See http://www.nlovca.org/events.html

8. We looked at some informative literature for patients and decided we'd like to order some for patients in the office. We'll do a small order first to see how they go over.

9. We also talked about books and other things that really have helped us in our journey and decided we needed to make a resource list. Connie LaMonte and Mary Anne King volunteered to do that, so let one of them know about your recommendations.

10. We had door prizes today - a really cute artsy piece of a lady with spunk (donated by Linda Willis) and a flower arrangement donated by Kristen Craig. Linda donated some Burt's Bees lip balm that was distributed. We also distributed our new CanSurvive tee shirts.

11. Electrolux is hoping to donate $500,000 to ovarian cancer research over the next 2 years. To find out what you can do to help, check out the Electrolux.com website. Click on one of their products and check out Kelly's Bags. (You should be able to get to get there by going to www.kellysbags.com)

12. Lunch today was provided by Jim McNinch of Oncotech.

Year in Review-2007

CanSurvive held monthly meetings the 3rd Friday of each month at the American Cancer Society, who is our gracious host.

We not only supported other members, but also reached out to other patients who needed to speak with someone who had "been there". Our group was also able to help with special or daily needs for some patients.

Special Events - Be sure to check out the photos!

March
• Two of our patient members spoke with 2nd year medical students as part of the "Survivors Teaching Students" program. They told their stories and emphasized the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and how difficult it could be to diagnose.

April
• We held a successful Fashion Show Luncheon and Silent Auction that not only generated revenue for the support group, but also helped educate our guests about gynecological cancers.

May
• Many of our members supported or worked at the Mother's Walk sponsored by the Norma Livingston Foundation. This foundation raises money for UAB's ovarian cancer research.

September
• Our advocate Christina Stephens signed copies of her autobiographical book about adoption and donated the proceeds of the sales to CanSurvive. (Copies of her book can still be purchased at the gift shop at UAB Highlands.) We also had staffed tables for gyn cancer awareness, ovarian cancer car tags, and adoption.
• We supported Dr. Kilgore and Dr. Straughn at their Brookwood Hospital inservice "Are You Smarter Than a Gyn Oncologist?" Megan and Stacy had a sign-up table for the car tag.
• Members passed out literature and information about gyn cancers, the HPV vaccine, and the ovarian cancer car tag during the lunchtime hours at the Harbert Plaza for a whole week. Robert Sulfstede arranged for us to have a kiosk in front of his store. (Thanks again, Robert!)

October
• We manned (and wo-manned) an awareness booth at the four day Southern Women's Show at the BJCC, speaking with attendees, passing out literature, bracelets, and emery boards. Thanks to the all the members, nurses, and to Dr. Alvarez and his wife Denise, Dr. Kilgore and his wife Tricia, Dr. Makhija, Dr. Straughn, Dr. Barnes, and Dr. Numnum for staffing this booth.
• Some members passed out awareness literature at health fairs at their local churches.

November
• We stuffed 200 goody bags for the gyn patients undergoing chemo during the holidays. We purchased some of the items and had some of the items donated.

December
• Our Christmas party was held in early December at the Hoover Lakehouse. One of our own members was our excellent caterer. Another member donated stuffed animals for the patient attendees.

UAB Displays Quilt that Draped Casket

Ovarian cancer victim's family presents gift to doctor, nurse

The quilt that draped the casket of Sally Sutton will be displayed permanently at The University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham.

The quilt will hang on a wall on the fourth floor of the gynecologic oncology clinic at UAB Highlands, a spokesman said.

Sutton's widower, Mickey, and one of their sons, Michael, both of Decatur, gave the quilt to UAB's Dr. Michael Straughn and an assistant, registered nurse Donna Bryan. They treated Sally Sutton during her struggle with ovarian cancer.

The Suttons made the presentation last week at the Decatur General Oncology Center.

Straughn said seven physicians in his group started coming to the center each Friday six months ago on a rotating basis to see patients.

"It's been a great relationship and such a benefit for patients in this area," said registered nurse Terry Jones, director of the center. "It enables a woman to get her initial visit here and be followed by local physicians as well as UAB physicians. We don't offer gynecological and oncology surgery here in Decatur.

Jones said that after chemotherapy procedures at UAB, doctors at the Oncology Center can give radiation therapy if needed.

"Usually, they are weak and in pain and don't feel like traveling," she said.

Gina Decker of Quilter's Refuge was at the presentation and recalled the quilt's origin. She said Sally Sutton had asked other quilters to make blocks to send to a fabric company called Blank Textiles in New York.

"They were taking the blocks and making a quilt for auction, the proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation," Decker said."Sally never had a quilt of her own, and I wanted her to have something to inspire her. That's where I got the idea."

Decker asked others in her class and members of The Night Guild if they'd like to make Sutton a quilt by making blocks and signing them. They would give her the quilt when she was well enough to return to class.

"A few others wanted to participate even though they didn't know Sally," Decker said."They had relatives who had the disease."

Even a 10-year-old boy, Graham Johnson, whose mother was in the class, participated.

"When his mother was making her block, he asked to make one. He did and signed it," Decker said.

The volunteers used a teal color scheme, teal being the color of ovarian cancer awareness. Decker's husband, Lynn, machine quilted the blocks.

But Sutton had become too weak to return to class. Decker took the quilt to her after Thanksgiving.

"I didn't want to wait any longer," Decker said."She was quite moved and surprised. She had it with her every day."

Sutton, who was a member of the Piece Makers Quilting Group, Happy Heart Quilt Guild and the Quilt Lovers, died Dec. 20 at home. Her funeral was two days later. She was 63.

Her family asked that the quilt be placed on her casket during services at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.

"It wasn't just a quilt," said Funeral Director Tim Bailey of Ridout's Brown-Service."It was a personal statement of all the people that helped create it. It showed the love and concern that went out to her during her illness and her death."

Bailey said the family's gesture was unique, placing the quilt where there's normally a floral blanket.

"We placed a silver urn of roses directly behind the casket," he said.

An Ovarian Cancer Patient's Prayer

We're a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a wife.
We're your children, O God, for You gave us this life.
Women with cancer, we live with its fear!
Grant us peace with the killer, and draw us so near.

Great Physician, an awareness we need.
Open ears to the symptoms, we mercifully plead.
Grant us favor with those in the highest of places;
Sustain our efforts, and bestow mighty graces.

Channel our suffering, pain, and frustration
To turn up the volume throughout our great nation.
Lives are at risk; there's no time to wait.
Passions are powerful; concerns are great.

Together we join in an advocacy chorus…
No one comes against us; everyone's for us!
Each day is precious; each joy is anew.
With faith, hope, and love, the hurdles are few.

We know that these trials are only a test.
Guide us, O Lord; may we give You our best.
With thanks we acknowledge Your good, perfect plan.
Enable us, Father, we need Your strong Hand.

We are now but a whisper, so frail and so weak.
Empower us, God, as louder we seek.
Open our eyes that Your path we may see.
Bless Thou great work; begin it with me.

WRITTEN AUGUST, 2005, OCNA CONFERENCE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BY SARAH MOSELEY

Washington Trip Review

My friend Beth Hosmer asked me to report to the CanSurvive Support Group my experience at the National Ovarian Cancer Alliance meeting held July 10-13 in Washington. I do not come to the Group meetings because I live 6 hours away. But Beth includes me in everything your group does and I am thankful for that because there is no ovarian cancer support group in my area.

First, I am so very thankful that I did not know ahead of time that no one from Alabama would be at the Alliance meeting. If I had known I would be alone, I probably would have lost my courage and stayed at home. I would have missed one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I had requested to go to Capitol Hill with the Alabama delegation because I am a survivor patient of the UAB Oncology Group and I am also a native of Selma, Alabama. Florida living is just temporary retirement.

Out of character for me, I decided I had no choice but to overcome my fear and insecurity and keep the prearranged appointments at the offices of Senator Shelby ,Senator Sessions, Representative Davis, and Representative Everett. This was such an empowering experience! I learned that lobbying (or begging for money) doesn't take experience; just sheer will. I learned to have the courage to be bold and tell the Legislative Assistants what we want from the elected officials. I encourage all of this group to e-mail your representatives and ask them to support our efforts to get the necessary funds for Ovarian Cancer research and education. You can find the specific requests that we made on the Alliance website. If I can ask, so can you and your family. E-mail is best because postal letters have to go through security checks and that takes time. For your information, I have recently learned from Sheryl Silver, Johanna's Law, that Sen. Majority Leader Reid has decided not to bring the Senate Labor Health and Human Serviced (HHS) bill to a floor vote because of the President's threatened veto. The HHS Appropriations bill will likely be folded into a larger Omnibus Appropriations bill in the fall. We should know more in mid September. I am not certain where we are on the other requests but the staff of the officials you write should keep you posted if you request them to do so. Remember, all of this is about money and politics and it takes a lot of both to get the funds we need. Read the OCNA website and get your voice heard.

The most meaningful part of the Alliance meeting was having the pleasure of meeting about 100 joyful, friendly, exciting, and profoundly spiritual ovarian cancer survivors. While some of the women were short term survivors like me, most had been keeping their cancer under control for many years. These were the first long time survivors I had met. Just being with them and hearing their stories gave me so much hope. There is a sisterhood among these courageous women who have been getting together for 10 years and they are using their experience to share their strength with others. Many have started support groups, several have written books and articles about their journey, and some have been on the front lines in clinical trials. Wow, what a group!

I would like to add that Tiffany Denson, representing the Norma Livingston Foundation, was also at the meeting, reassuring me that I could represent Alabama well. Thanks Tiffany.

Let's start communicating about many of us going next year. It will likely be at a different time of year which will be more pleasant than the 100 degree heat we had in July. Meanwhile, we must continue to care and support one another as we strive to get funding for a screening test for ovarian cancer, better information and education for gynecological cancers, and more research for the ultimate goal...THE CURE! Looking forward to seeing all of you in Washington in 08.

Patti McCartney, St. George Island, Fl