Race for life

Tina Brown
Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi not sure if I posted here about my "Race for Life". Here in the UK Cancer Research hold many charitable events around the country to raise money. They were originally based on the struggle with breast cancer and ONLY women are allowed to take part. I signed up to my local race along with my daughter and 11 other girlfriends. I then contacted the organisers to see if my son and other male friends and family could do the race as my cancer has affected my son as well as my daughter. But NO, it is ladies only as "men tend to be competitive and it is intimidating to the women"

So, I looked at the merchandise as I wanted to look the part. EVERYTHING is PINK!!!!! I don't have BREAST cancer???? This got me thinking. In the UK Ovca is realatively rare and not talked about and PPC is un-heard off (I had to explain it to a junior doctor in the hospital last year when I was first diagnosed!!) I thought, "I am not fading into the background this time" so I decided to go TEAL. I wanted to raise awareness that ladies can also get other cancers apart from breast cancer. There was no where to purchase teal merchandise in the UK so I bought plain t shirts and had a slogan printed on the backs for all of my ladies who were running with me and also my son, father, husband, son in law and friends.

As we entered the race on the day the event was a sea of pink....... except for us......... we were a BLOB of teal. It was very emotional as I was one of the few "runners" who was running for myself. Most of the ladies were running in memory of a loved one who had died.

I loved every minute of this event. I was with my special people, my best girlfriends who have been my strength. My daughter who I love so much, my son (my rock) who stood on the side lines cheering us on and my dad (my mum died of cancer 20 months ago)who is always there for me. My local paper came round to my house to photograph me and interview me afterwards.

I wish I could post all of the photos on here but I can't. However, I have them on my facebook account for anyone to look at. One of my friends said "We must do this again next year" and I sincerely hope I am still around to do it, but if not, "the show will still go on....."

Love Tina xx

Comments

  • NCEllen
    NCEllen Member Posts: 115 Member
    #2
    Teal Triumph!
    Tina - thank you for running for a cure and awareness that unfortunately teal is all to real . I am sure that I speak for all of us on this board when I say how Proud we are of you and your family and friends for standing up and showing OUT about OVCA! I've never been to UK-but maybe when this event takes place next year and God willing, I'll come run with you too! Well, maybe a teal trot for me is more like it, I never really ran too well. Anyway congratulations on your accomplishment now and in the days, months and years to come - Ellen
  • upsofloating
    upsofloating Member Posts: 466 Member
    #3
    Well, you go girl!!! How
    Well, you go girl!!! How wonderful you were able to make such a statement and get media attention for all the women who have experienced the 'other' female cancers. I've never been quite sure what color to go with - I have papillary serous cancer, thought most likely to be uterine/endometrial, but behaves and is treated like ovarian cancer. It's a rare cancer, as is PPC. I've also had breast cancer but not for many years. I do the Relay for Life fundraiser events here in US and breast cancer gets most of the press here as well.

    Congrats on your efforts -- here's to you and next year's event!!! Go Teal Warriors!

    Annie
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    u go girlfriend
    This not only raises money but raises awareness ~ I bet your Teal shined in the sea of pink. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    Good for you!
    Thank you for running for those of us who can't right now. You are awesome! Saundra
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #7
    Hey Honey!
    I saw your photos
    Hey Honey!

    I saw your photos on FB, you DEFINITELY represented the Teal Warriors--I love the Teal Tutus! When I looked at your pics, one of the first thing I pointed out to my husband was the sea of pink behind you. You and your ladies looked FAB!

    Hugs!

    Leesa
  • Tasgirl
    Tasgirl Member Posts: 85
    #8
    Hi Tina
    Looks like you had a
    Hi Tina
    Looks like you had a great day. Hope next year is just as good if not better!
    We have a Mothers Day classic in Australia BUT it is of course for Breast Cancer. In the NY marathon last year I had TEAL ribbons on my T-shirt and only 1 person knew it was for Ovarian and it was a male...This year I have purchased teal material to have something made to put on my t-shirt - will have to think of something. Any ideas?? Jenny xx
  • South Jersey
    South Jersey Member Posts: 89
    #9
    Way to Go!
    Tina,
    Congratulations on your participation in the "Race for Life." I'm sure your "blob" of teal turned a lot of heads... hopefully, prompting questions about what the color teal represents.
    I am very lucky, as we have a local organization that promotes ovarian cancer awareness (Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation). Tonight, I will be attending my first meeting. The foundation holds fund raising events throughout the year and a race in the spring. In additon, to promote awareness during Ovarian Cancer Month (September), they "Turn the Town Teal" (throughout the month, members of the foundation are provided with teal ribbons to display throughout their towns). I am very excited to begin participating in these events!
    Take care!
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #10
    Tasgirl said:

    Hi Tina
    Looks like you had a
    Hi Tina
    Looks like you had a great day. Hope next year is just as good if not better!
    We have a Mothers Day classic in Australia BUT it is of course for Breast Cancer. In the NY marathon last year I had TEAL ribbons on my T-shirt and only 1 person knew it was for Ovarian and it was a male...This year I have purchased teal material to have something made to put on my t-shirt - will have to think of something. Any ideas?? Jenny xx

    Hi Jenny
    I wish I could come to NY and support you. Me and my husband love NY & I hope you enjoy the race. I think you could have writing put on the back to raise awareness of both cancers like I did. Also get your name on the front so people can shout at you. I bought a teal T shirt on the net because I bought 20. But you can just buy one from a shop and get a printer to write a message on it. If you do that make sure it is in large letters. Mine were quite small. Tina xx
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #11
    South Jersey said:

    Way to Go!
    Tina,
    Congratulations on your participation in the "Race for Life." I'm sure your "blob" of teal turned a lot of heads... hopefully, prompting questions about what the color teal represents.
    I am very lucky, as we have a local organization that promotes ovarian cancer awareness (Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation). Tonight, I will be attending my first meeting. The foundation holds fund raising events throughout the year and a race in the spring. In additon, to promote awareness during Ovarian Cancer Month (September), they "Turn the Town Teal" (throughout the month, members of the foundation are provided with teal ribbons to display throughout their towns). I am very excited to begin participating in these events!
    Take care!

    Oh that is so cool. I will
    Oh that is so cool. I will try to promote Ovarian Cancer Month over here in the UK. I can get something put on facebook. Do you have any web sites for me to look at? I so love the idea of turning the town teal. Are you on facebook? Maybe we could be friends & you could post photos on there & I can look at them.

    Tina xx
  • South Jersey
    South Jersey Member Posts: 89
    #12
    Tina Brown said:

    Oh that is so cool. I will
    Oh that is so cool. I will try to promote Ovarian Cancer Month over here in the UK. I can get something put on facebook. Do you have any web sites for me to look at? I so love the idea of turning the town teal. Are you on facebook? Maybe we could be friends & you could post photos on there & I can look at them.

    Tina xx

    Tina,
    You can google, "Sandy
    Tina,
    You can google, "Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation." Once you get to the site, click on "Events Calendar." When you get to that page, to the left, click on "Upcoming Events." Then, scroll down to read about future events, including the "Turn the Town Teal" campaign... Let me know if you have any problems getting on the website.
    I am on Facebook, my name is Beth Repp... looking forward to your friend request.
  • Angelasmom2
    Angelasmom2 Member Posts: 146
    #13
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    ppc
    what is PPC?
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #14
    Angelasmom2 said:

    ppc
    what is PPC?

    Hi Angelasmom2
    PPC is Primary Peritoneal Cancer. Its called "Primary" because I don't have cancer anywhere else. Sometimes ladies with ovca can get mets to the peritoneum. The sac that covers all of the internal organs like liver, stomach, bladder, uterus, ovaries etc has (in my case) very small cancerous cells on it. They are scattered and cannot be removed surgically. It is exactly the same tiisue type as ovarian and is treated the same. I found out about my cancer when all cells caused ascites in my stomach and it had crossed over my diaphram and went into the plueral cavity in my lungs.

    Thats why I post here because our symptoms, treatment and prognosis is the same. This cancer is also very rare and there is not a dedicated section for it.

    Tina xxx

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